SUV Accidents

While not as common as they were ten or fifteen years ago, catastrophic sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) accidents still occur in Central New York, throughout New York State, and nationally.  On average, one out of every four vehicles sold in the United States is a SUV.  Those SUVs are roughly three times more likely to tip over or rollover in a single vehicle accident than a car.  Fatalities are highest in tip over and rollover SUV accidents – as many as 5,000 occur each year. 

While the statistics support the premise that SUVs are not as safe or, at the very least, are not as stable as other cars on the roadways, many manufacturers have done nothing to modify the platforms on which their SUVs are built.  Many still have unnecessarily high centers of gravity, narrow track widths, added weight and oversized blind spots. 

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) the least safe and/or least stable SUVs, historically, have been the (in no particular order): 

  • Cadillac Escalade;
  • Chevrolet Blazer;
  • Chevrolet Avalanche;
  • Ford Expedition;
  • Ford Explorer;
  • Ford F-150;
  • Ford Ranger;
  • Ford Econoline;
  • GMC Jimmy;
  • GMC Yukon;
  • Honda Passport;
  • Isuzu Rodero;
  • Jeep Cherokee;
  • Lincoln Navigator;
  • Mercury Mountaineer;
  • Mitsubishi Montero Sport;
  • Nissan Pathfinder;
  • Nissan Xterra;
  • Oldsmobile Bravada;
  • Toyota 4-Runner;
  • Toyota Tacoma.
 

In rollover accidents, the most common injuries include head trauma and traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, nerve damage, broken bones, lacerations and burns.

In the event of a severe personal injury, the injured individual and/or a spouse and immediate family members, may be entitled to recover for:

  • Wrongful death;
  • Past and future medical bills;
  • Past and future lost wages;
  • Loss of future earning capacity;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Mental and emotional disability;
  • Disfigurement and scarring;
  • Loss of enjoyment of life;
  • Loss of society, love and affection;
  • Property loss; and
  • Incidental and out-of-pocket expenses.

While no dollar amount can adequately compensate for a loss, the legal system is structured to permit monetary recovery where the injured party can prove that another negligently caused his/her harm. The amount of recovery is determined either by a jury at trial, or through a fair settlement made prior to trial, that is based upon jury verdicts in similar cases. All claims that are accepted by the firm are actively researched and aggressively pursued to a conclusion.

If you or a loved one have suffered a severe personal injury, we may be able to help.  To contact the sport utility vehicle and SUV accident attorneys at Bottar Law, PLLC, please complete a contact form or call us at (315) 422-3466 or (833) BOTTARS (268-8277).