Lesser-Known Hazards in California Vehicles
Auto safety has come a long way. When vehicles first appeared on the roads of California, there were no seatbelts, no airbags, no “crumple zones,” and certainly no lane-assist warnings. But despite these improvements, modern vehicles still have plenty of hazards – many of which you might be completely unaware of. In fact, the sad truth is that many victims only become aware of these lesser-known hazards after they become injured. Here are some of the most dangerous aspects of vehicles in California that you might not know about:
Roofs
One dangerous area of a modern vehicle is the roof. Most people never think twice about the roofs of their vehicles until they get into a rollover crash. Suddenly, the strength of the roof becomes incredibly important. Reliable vehicles have strong roofs and roll cages, ensuring that drivers and passengers stay safe even when the vehicle is completely upside-down. However, some vehicles have faulty roofs – and these roofs become crushed when subjected to pressure. It goes without saying that this can cause catastrophic injuries for anyone caught inside.
In February of 2023, it was reported that the family of a woman from California was suing Ford Motor Company for an injury suffered in June of 2017. The injury had been allegedly caused by a defective roof in the plaintiff’s Super Duty truck. When the vehicle flipped over, the truck’s roof and cab were “completely obliterated,” according to the lawsuit. The family argues that the truck should have been strong enough to withstand the impact. This is especially true when you consider the auto manufacturer’s motto: “Ford Tough.”
Airbags
Ford is also being forced to recall up to three million vehicles due to faulty airbags. This is part of the larger Takata airbag scandal, which has affected many other vehicle manufacturers. The recall began back in 2014, and over the years, it has been expanded to include a range of other models across numerous manufacturers. Deaths have been reported, and the total number of recalled vehicles is said to span “tens of millions” of vehicles.
Faulty airbags can cause a wide range of injuries. If they fail to deploy, passengers are subject to the serious forces of impact without protection. If they do deploy, there is a chance they could cause traumatic head injuries and a wide range of other injuries.
Where Can I Find an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in California?
California is an at-fault state, which means that you must prove negligence if you want to recover compensation for your injuries. The good news is that if a defect in your vehicle caused your crash, you can hold the manufacturer liable. In order to do this, you will need to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney in California – such as the Knez Law Group. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs – including those harmed in auto accidents. We know how dangerous modern vehicles can be, so get in touch today and start fighting for justice with our help.
Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He went on to pursue his Law Degree at the University of LaVerne, College of Law in Ontario, California. While pursuing his law degree he earned various awards, including CALI Award in Torts and he was on the Dean’s List. Mr. Knez was also a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic where he worked with people seeking asylum into the United States from countries where they had experienced persecution or threat of persecution. Additionally, Mr. Knez was a member of Law Review where he was an Associate Editor and published a Law Review article on California family custody move-away cases.