Automotive manufacturers know that its vehicles – particularly high profile SUVS and pickups – some times roll over in accidents. Tragically, however, the overwhelming majority of manufacturers provide virtually no protection to consumers when those rollovers occur. The clearest example of that involves "roof crush. "  Roof crush describes the phenomenon which occurs when a vehicle rolls on a weakly designed roof. The roof then collapses on top of the vehicle’s occupants, causing spinal cord injuries, brain trauma, asphyxiation, and sometimes death. Other times the collapse of the roof compromises the "survival space" of the vehicle, opening up "portals" and leading to partial ejection.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s current roof crush standard (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard ("FMVSS") 216) is abysmally weak, inadequate and completely unrepresentative of actual real-world performance. Nonetheless, automotive manufacturers have fought hard against any upgrade to the standard for years. Chief among their arguments is the incredible claim that roof crush does not cause injury.

Thanks to public safety advocates and attorneys concerned about consumer safety, however, the government is now considering proposals to mandate stronger roofs. Manufacturers could easily make roofs safe. Volvo does it today in its XC90 SUV, and brags about that vehicle’s roof strength. Amazingly, Volvo is owned by Ford Motor Company, the same company that manufactures the Explorer and F250 – both vehicles with notoriously weak roofs.

Our attorneys have the skill and experience to determine whether roof crush caused injury or death following a rollover.

Our attorneys have successfully handled literally dozens of roof crush cases against virtually every manufacturer (up through and including trial) and have worked hard to deliver the extraordinary results we are famous for. Call or write us today for a free consultation.

Actual roof crush case handled by The Gomez Law Firm.

In this case, The Gomez Law Firm represented Azucena Duran and her family in a roof crush case against General Motors. Ms. Duran suffered catastrophic injury when her General Motors Blazer rolled over on the freeway. The roof collapsed upon her, striking her head, and causing her permanent injury. A mother of three, and working hard to save money to buy a family home, Ms. Duran today needs 24 hour attendant care and will never work again. The Gomez Law Firm filed the case, and obtained a confidential settlement for the family.