Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys Reveal the Truth About SUV and Passenger Van Rollover Accidents
The latest statistics show one-third of all motor vehicle deaths are attributed to rollovers; an estimated 10,000 annually. Another 16,000 are injured in rollover accidents each year. Yet, rollovers represent only 4% of all crashes. It is a serious issue that needs attention. Chicago personal injury attorneys who specialize in rollover accident cases are all-too-familiar with these staggering numbers.
Why the increase in rollover accidents? As the once off-road, work-related SUV gained extreme popularity as a family vehicle, rollover protective gear, such as roll bars were removed, weakening the roofs and increasing the number of roof crush injuries, acute head traumas and deaths. The combination of a traditional truck chassis, narrow frames, weakened roofs and added passenger loads increase the risk of rollover, and all account for 60% of deaths in SUV accidents. If you or a loved one sustained injury due to a rollover accident in Illinois, personal injury lawyers can help you seek compensation.
While SUV’s continue to dominate the market these days as the preferred family vehicle, they share the spotlight of preventable deaths due to rollovers with another known “hazard on wheels”, the 15-passenger van.
While their typical function is common enough (used as an airport shuttle van, or by churches and other organizations), hazards involving these vehicles are not commonly known to the average passenger. Originally designed for cargo only, today’s 15-person van was never re-designed by manufacturers for passenger safety. With added seating and/or rear cargo space reaching far beyond the wheelbase, passenger weight and luggage creates instability during hard or sudden turns that are likely to occur while avoiding traffic hazards. The resulting fishtail action and top-heavy design of the vans increases the likelihood of a rollover.
If you or someone love have been seriously injured due to a rollover accident, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney immediately if you live in Illinois. Personal injury lawyers can help you achieve compensation for your pain and suffering.
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