The "Roof Crush Resistance" standard, Standard 216, has been in effect since 1973, which is when it was first introduced by  the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  It was created to help cut down on injuries and deaths related to the roof of a motor vehicle involved in a passenger automobile rollover accident. In 1974, the rules went into effect for passenger cars, and in 1995, it went into effect for SUVs, vans, and trucks.

Although we have standards that are federally mandated, when the roof of a SUV, truck, or car fails or caves in, the result will most likely cause severe neck, spinal cord or head  injuries. Unfortunately, drivers and passengers in SUVs are more likely to sustain fatal injuries, even death, than passengers in other types of motor vehicles are.

There are SUV and other auto manufacturers that make passenger vehicles, such as, trucks, mini-vans, SUVs, and cars with poorly installed and designed roofs. When severe roof crush occurs, typically it is the result of poorly made supporting structures, weak or cheaply made roof pillars. A simple design change by the manufacturer, could have prevented the fatal injury or death caused by the roof crush incident. There are instances, where a poorly installed Sunroof has weakened the roof structure. Reinforcement of the motor vehicle's windshield can be an important component in the prevention of a roof crush injury in a rollover accident. If the windshield is destroyed during an accident the vehicle's roof can be reduced by as much as 33 percent. In the event, the motor vehicle's windshield comes out, it can cause the passenger to be ejected because of the large space or opening in the vehicle.

If you (or someone you love) have been injured in a roof crush accident, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified Florida Personal Injury   Attorney. Our attorneys, paralegals, and case managers represent roof crush accident victims (or loved ones) throughout Florida, including Palm Beach County,  West Palm Beach, Treasure Coast, Broward County, St. Lucie County, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs and Wellington.