Automobile Crashworthiness

For decades, automobile manufacturers have been forced to make changes in the design of automobiles so that when accidents happen, the occupants of the cars are afforded reasonable protection from the "second impact” or collision. The terms “second impact” and collision refer to the occupants of the car suffering injury after the initial impact with another vehicle or when an object strikes the occupant in the interior of the vehicle, such as the windshield, steering wheel dashboard or the doors.

Occupants of vehicles in certain types of accidents are often ejected from the vehicle and suffer catastrophic injury or death. In many cases the reason for the ejection of the driver or passengers can be traced to faulty seat belts, latch mechanisms, roof strength or the failure to use laminated glass on the side and rear window or hatch of the vehicle, which aids in preventing the escape of occupants.

In many cases, the airbag designed to prevent injury deploys when it shouldn't, causing serious facial injury and burns. In other instances, the airbag may fail to deploy and result in catastrophic injury in violent collisions, with the airbag or a part of the restraint system failing to provide the safety function as represented by the manufacturers of our automobiles.

Seat design and the failure of a seatback can, and often do, result in quadriplegia and paraplegia. Tire defects leading to blowout and lack of vehicle stability can result in rollover and catastrophic consequences. These are a few examples of the types of second collision or crashworthiness cases which our firm has been handling for thirty years.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an automobile, we can assist you in evaluating your case. Click here to contact us for a free case evaluation.

Also see: Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents