Montague Way and Rio Linda Boulevard Crash

Rio Linda Intersection Accident Results in Rollover

An intersection accident in Rio Linda on May 25 resulted in a rollover of one of the vehicles, trapping the driver inside. The accident was reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as occurring at 4:51 in the afternoon at Montague Way and Rio Linda Boulevard and involved a Toyota 4Runner and Ford work van. When first responders with Sacramento Metro Fire arrived, they discovered the Toyota on its side and had to extricate the person inside.

More Intersection Accident Information

Injuries were reported as minor, but the patient was taken to a nearby hospital for further examination. The work van had minor damage to the front right fender, and the SUV sustained major damage, including a partially crushed roof. The CHP is conducting an investigation into the intersection accident to determine its cause.

Crushed Roofs Are Dangerous

A crushed roof, commonly seen in a rollover accident, occurs when the roof supports are physically unable to withstand the vehicle’s weight. When this happens, the roof collapses in on the occupants of the motor vehicle. Rollovers don‘t always cause fatal injuries as long as occupants are wearing safety harnesses since the momentum of the vehicle is decreasing as it rolls. However, a roof crush significantly alters the outcome and results in more serious injuries and deaths.

Federal Rules Governing Vehicle Roof Strength

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent a new rule to the Federal Registry in 2009 concerning roof crush. At that time, the NHTSA recommended a new requirement that would affect passenger vehicles, trucks and buses that weigh 10,000 pounds or less. This new rule, originating in 2009, doubled the weight the roof can withstand from 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight to 3.0 times its unloaded mass. In addition, it demands that the headroom or survival space be maintained during the test.

Liability in an Intersection Accident Involving Roof Crush 

Automobile manufactures are obligated to build vehicles that help ensure passenger safety. In some cases, automobile companies have realized that the roof structure and support did not comply with federal standards but made no effort to correct this deficit. The vehicle defects may have been apparent during testing, yet the manufacturers chose not to halt production to correct the problem. Redesigning the vehicle to comply with acceptable standards can be a costly endeavor and add to the company’s production cost. Another scenario exists when the vehicle is defectively constructed. 

In either case, the company is responsible for building a defective product. In California, a lawsuit can be filed against the manufacturer and others in the retail chain. It is unnecessary to prove negligence. Rather, it is required that the plaintiff show that the vehicle was being used as intended, and it caused injuries to the user.

Investigation Into a Roof Crush Accident

It is essential that all evidence in support of liability be gathered, which is why it is critical to preserve your vehicle after a rollover. At our firm, we dispatch our investigators to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. We use accident reconstruction to see how the crash occurred and obtain traffic surveillance camera videos to visualize the incident in real-time. 

Our experts examine the structure of the roof supports and determine why the amount of survivor headroom was not sufficient during the rollover. Our investigators will also obtain roof stability tests from the manufacturer to see how the vehicle fared. We also interview witnesses who saw the crash happen and examine police reports for mistakes. Once all evidence is acquired, the information is turned over to our legal team to build a strong case for our client.

Rio Linda Personal Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Rio Linda personal injury lawyer. Rollovers can result in serious injuries, especially if roof crush is involved. If a negligent driver caused your accident injury, phone me at (916) 921-600 for my free and friendly advice. I can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or by messaging me using the online form.

I’ve helped Rio Linda residents get the compensation they deserve following an accident injury since 1982, including traffic crashes, traumatic injuries, and wrongful death cases.

I am a proud member of  the following organizations:

Learn about my law firm by visiting:

Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/

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