Roof Crush Explained: Roof Defects in SUV Rollover Accidents

More than 10,000 people die each year in rollover crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In a study of these crashes, IIHS concluded that many of the deaths could have been prevented if the roofs had been stronger on the vehicles.

IIHS compared roof crush tests of 11 older mid-size SUVs with death and injury statistics from 12 states from 1997-2005 . It found that the vehicles with the strongest roofs had lower injury and lower death rates than SUVs with weaker roofs. The SUVs tested were manufactured by Ford, Nissan, Chrysler, General Motors, Mitsubishi and Toyota.

Of the vehicles tested, the weakest roofs found were those of the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, which caved in under about one and a half times its own weight. The strongest roof was on the 2000 Nissan Exterra SUV, which withstood a force of three times its weight with minimal damage.

In a subsequent examination in 2009 of 12 small SUVs, the IIHS found the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson earned the lowest ratings. Roof strength on the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner was rated only marginal.

Deficient Roof Strength Results in Deaths and Injuries in Rollover Accidents

As noted by the IIHS, when vehicles roll, their roofs hit the ground, deform and crush. Stronger roofs crush less, reducing the risk that occupants will be killed or severely injured by a collapsing roof. Stronger roofs also can prevent occupants from being ejected through windows, windshields, or doors that have broken or opened because the roof has deformed. Roofs that don't collapse help keep people inside vehicles as they roll.

Cars have been built to meet the same roof crush standard, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216, since 1973. It requires that the roof be able to withstand a force of 1.5 times the weight of the car. The rule was extended in 1994 to include all passenger vehicles up to a gross weight rating of 6,000 pounds. However, many SUVs and pickups are heavier, and thus exempt from the Federal Safety Standard.

In 2005, the government proposed an upgrade to cover larger vehicles and require the roofs on all passenger vehicles to have a strength-to-weight ratio of 2.5. The rule has not yet been adopted. Furthermore, it is too weak a standard. Many vehicles already meet the ratio and would earn only a marginal rating under the IIHS's roof strength test.

Car Roof Crush Attorneys/Lawyers

If you were injured in an auto accident, or a loved one was killed during a rollover accident involving a crushed car roof, please a contact car roof crush attorney at Lieff Cabraser experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases against auto manufacturers. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.

You may also contact us by telephone toll free at 1-866-313-1973 and request to speak to vehicle injury attorney Fabrice N. Vincent.