Vehicle Crashworthiness Litigation
Trusted Springfield Product Liability Attorneys Since 1976
Manufacturers rate every motor vehicle for "crashworthiness" and "aggressivity." The crashworthiness rating indicates how well the vehicle can protect its own driver and passengers in the event of an accident. On the other hand, the aggressivity rating measures the risk the vehicle poses to the driver and passengers of the other vehicle involved in the collision. Manufacturers are obligated to produce vehicles that meet at least the minimum crashworthiness standards.
If you have suffered injuries due to a poorly designed car that failed crashworthiness tests and should not have been sold, you may have a valid claim against the automaker. At Rah Law, our Springfield vehicle crashworthiness attorneys are dedicated to fiercely defending your rights, just as we have been doing since the '70s.
Crashworthiness Lawsuits
- SUV rollover accidents: SUVs have long been criticized for their high risk of rollovers. The elevated center of gravity in these vehicles makes them more prone to rolling over during sharp turns or side-impact collisions.
- Tire failures: A tire that fails or bursts while a vehicle is in motion can be the sole cause of a violent car accident, as it results in the driver losing control. This defect becomes even more dangerous at high speeds on highways.
- Roof crush: Certain vehicles have poorly designed roofs that can crumple like aluminum if the vehicle rolls onto its roof in a crash. If an engineer determines that the roof was poorly designed, it can serve as strong evidence in a legal case.
- Seatback failure: In recent years, the front seats in some minivans have been known to collapse backward during a crash. This defect can cause injuries to the back of the person in the seat and crush the person seated behind them.
- Airbag failure: Airbags that fail to deploy provide no protection to the driver and passengers. Some airbags have also been known to explode violently without warning, such as the recalled Takata brand airbags.
- Seatbelt failure: A seatbelt that does not secure properly becomes mostly ineffective in a crash. Our team can investigate if a defect caused your seatbelt to fail, resulting in your severe injuries.
- Auto glass injuries: When broken, the windshield and windows of a car should form a web-like pattern to prevent the formation of shards and sharp edges. If you were cut by a piece of broken glass in a crash, it may indicate a defect in the glass.
- Gas tank fires: In certain collisions, a vehicle's gas tank can leak or catch fire. Fuel systems should be designed to prevent such fires in most situations. If a fire occurred after your car accident, we will investigate if the fuel tank or system was made incorrectly or unsafely.
Contact Us to Learn About Starting a Claim
Vehicle crashworthiness is a complex aspect of vehicle design and manufacturing. If your injuries were worsened due to a defect with your car that lowered its crashworthiness, then it is important that you work with a legal team that understands the many nuances of this topic. At our firm, you can trust our vehicle crashworthiness lawsuit attorneys to guide you through the entire process from start to finish. Make our insight and experience your own by hiring our team.
Contact the Springfield crashworthiness lawyers at Rah Law today at 417-512-2333 to discuss your potential lawsuit.