San Diego Passenger Vehicle Ejection Attorneys
Auto, Motorcycle and Truck Accidents : Driver/Passenger Vehicle Ejections
When buying a vehicle, a consumer trusts that the vehicle will protect them in the event of a crash. A vehicle’s structural ability to protect its occupants during an accident is known as its crashworthiness. There are many different aspects of a vehicle that contribute to its crashworthiness rating, whether good or bad. Oftentimes, crash testing reveals defects or structural inconsistencies that can increase the risk of driver or passenger ejection from the vehicle.
What Causes an Occupant Ejection?
There are many factors that can contribute to a driver’s or passenger’s ejection from a vehicle during a crash, especially a rollover accident. One of the most crucial is not wearing a seatbelt. This is a vital piece of protection that is completely within the driver’s and passenger’s control. A properly functioning seatbelt can prevent ejection from the vehicle in almost all types of auto accidents. There are instances when a defect in the restraint system causes the seatbelt to malfunction or break, however, in which case all an occupant relies on to keep them in the vehicle is the vehicle itself. The main vehicle contributors to occupant ejection in a crash are:
- Window strength/laminated glazing versus tempered glazing;
- Presence of curtain airbags;
- Roof strength; and
- Door function.
How Do These Factors Cause Occupant Ejection?
Window strength is very important in a crash, particularly a rollover crash. If a window easily breaks, it increases the risk of an occupant being ejected through the empty space. Side curtain airbags can mitigate an ejection but only if they are functional throughout the crash. If the airbags deflate while a vehicle is rolling over, an occupant can be partially or completely ejected. Poor roof crush strength not only endangers the occupants while they are still in the vehicle, but can also break windows and cause doors to partially or completely detach. The doors themselves must also be attached properly so that they don’t open in a frontal crash.
Driver/Passenger Ejection Injuries
A car crash that leads to ejection typically involves great force, and thus an ejection caused by such a strong impact can lead to very serious injuries, or, as is very common, death. The injuries an ejected vehicle occupant may suffer include:
- Crushed vertebrae and/or other bones;
- Broken bones;
- Shattered bones;
- Fractured skull;
- Dislocated bones;
- Brain injury;
- Internal injury and bleeding;
- Lacerations; and/or
- Scrapes.
If a vehicle does not have a proper ejection mitigation system in place, car crash victims are threatened by an increased risk of ejection from the vehicle. Even if an ejection victim survives, he or she will suffer from great pain and have to endure potentially years of medical and rehabilitative treatment.
Holding Negligent Auto Manufacturers Liable
Car manufacturers have a duty to distribute and sell crash-tested, safe vehicles. Oftentimes, however, manufacturers market vehicles that look good, have good safety specifications, but really don’t provide adequate protection in the event of a crash. If you have been ejected and injured from such a vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact the experienced auto product liability lawyers in San Diego at the Jurewitz Law Group at (888) 233-5020 to learn more about your legal rights and options.
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