San Diego County Ford Bronco Rollover Crash Injures 11

Eleven people were injured in a Ford Bronco rollover accident in East San Diego County the afternoon of March 22, 2009, CBS News reports. The vehicle was possibly involved in smuggling undocumented immigrants, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials said. The Ford Bronco rolled over less than a mile away from the U.S.-Mexico border in a rugged area. Two victims suffered moderate injuries in the single-vehicle rollover crash. Nine occupants were also treated for other injuries. The driver of the Bronco was taken into custody on suspicion of attempting to smuggle undocumented immigrants illegally across the border. It is not clear what caused the rollover accident.

I’m relieved that this San Diego County SUV rollover accident did not result in any fatal injuries. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Ford has been plagued with a history of rollover problems with many of its sport utility vehicles including the Ford Bronco. In 1982, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published an alert that it was considering requiring warning labels and information in the owners’ manuals of SUVs. The public still for the most part lacks awareness about the proper handling and operation of SUVs. The NHTSA at the time listed a number of brands of SUVs that have a relatively short wheelbase, a narrow track, high ground clearance, a high center of gravity, stiff suspension system and four-wheel drive. Such vehicles are prime candidates for being unstable and having an increased propensity to roll over. The Ford Bronco was one of the defective autos on this list.

Ford Bronco rollover accident victims have suffered brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries as a result of the Bronco’s poor design. As one of the nation’s leading auto product defect law firms, Bisnar | Chase has represented and won significant jury awards and settlements for injured victims against large auto makers such as Ford, General Motors, Chrysler and several auto makers that manufacture unstable, rollover-prone vehicles. I admire our clients who have the courage and commitment to take on these industry giants with the conviction that they must be held accountable for putting these unsafe vehicles in the market. Our hope is that these lawsuits and the many lawsuits we have filed against Ford and other auto makers will convince them to improve the quality of their vehicles and make them safer for consumers.