A woman who was fatally injured in a Modesto car accident the night of May 21, 2010 has been identified as 54-year-old Roselyn Mayen. The Modesto Bee reports that Mayen was a passenger in a 1994 Chevy SUV whose driver lost control and crashed on Highway 99. The SUV with seven people suddenly went off the shoulder of the roadway and rolled down an embankment. Mayen died at a local hospital while 41-year-old Alfredo Caballero, another passenger, was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Roselyn Mayen for their heartbreaking and sudden loss. I truly hope Caballero has not sustained catastrophic injuries and pray that he recovers quickly and completely from his major injuries.

Rollover Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are approximately 10,000 fatalities involving rollover accidents in the United States, each year. That number accounts for nearly 25 percent of all traffic accident fatalities nationwide. Rollover accidents involving SUVs are often deadly because of the intensity with which they occur.

Vehicle Design Defects

Statistics show that SUVs are prime candidates to roll over because of their high center gravity and narrower track width. Chevy and Ford SUVs are particularly prone to rollovers because of their defective design. They are also more likely to result in catastrophic injuries such as brain and spinal cord injuries because they have poor roof strength, which causes the roof to cave in and crush the occupants.

Auto Product Liability Issues

If the accident was caused by an auto product defect or design defect, the auto maker or the manufacturer of the defective product can be held liable. In such cases, it is very important that the vehicle be preserved in its current condition, unaltered, so it can be carefully examined by an expert for product defects, malfunctions or other evidence. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to guide victims and their families through these complex issues in the aftermath of a serious car accident.

What, in your opinion, are the biggest challenges faced by car accident victims and their families in the aftermath of an accident?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.