New Department of Transportation Rule to Reduce Vehicle Ejections in Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents have consistently been amongst the most deadly of all motor vehicle accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently taken positive steps to reduce the high accident fatality rate associated with rollover accidents by enacting new standards, making electronic stabilization control mandatory and increasing roof crush standards in SUVs. Electronic stabilization control helps drivers maintain control of the vehicle during emergency evasive maneuvers, reducing the number of SUV rollover accidents.
Increased roof crush standards has helped reduce fatalities in rollover accidents. The DOT has now enacted a new rule to reduce vehicle ejections during SUV rollover accidents which account for 64% of all fatalities in single vehicle rollover accidents. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we have been representing those who suffer serious injury or wrongful death in SUV rollover accidents in Georgia for over 39 years.
Under the new rule, SUV manufacturers must develop a countermeasure that prevents the equivalent of an unbelted adult from moving more than 4 inches past the side window opening in the event of a crash. The new standard will start being implemented in 2013 and will be required in all newly manufactured vehicles by model year 2018. This rule will keep people inside SUV vehicles in rollover accidents where they are safer and have a much better chance of avoiding serious injury or death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has predicted that the new rule will prevent an average of 373 fatalities and 476 serious injuries annually.
SUV rollover accidents are not common compared to other types of crashes, but the number of fatalities resulting from such accidents continues to rise. Though rollover accidents account for only 3% of the total number of motor vehicle accidents, they account for 35% of the overall fatalities that are caused by motor vehicle accidents. The most recent statistics indicate that over 9,000 people die in rollover accidents annually and as many as 7,500 of these passengers are killed in single-vehicle rollover crashes.
This new rule should combine with the prior recent measures to make SUVs safer and reduce the fatality rate in SUV accidents. However, occupants of SUVs can also take giant strides to safeguard their own safety by buckling up. While vehicle ejections are a common cause of fatalities in rollover accidents, these fatalities are also a function of occupants not wearing their seat belt. Montlick and Associates has been representing SUV rollover accident victims throughout Georgia for over a quarter of a century. We are glad to see any new measure that reduces motor vehicle accident rates, as well as vehicle accident fatality rates. We also know that despite the best safety features, serious vehicle crashes will still occur. If you or a family member has suffered serious injury or wrongful death in an SUV rollover accident, contact Montlick and Associates today to learn how we can help.
Our experienced Georgia SUV rollover accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located, we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24 hour Live Online Chat.