A quick scan of the type of vehicles parked in any parking lot or the types of vehicles speeding down the highway will show you that the vast majority of vehicles on the road are SUVs. Over the past 20-30 years SUVs have become the most popular type of vehicle on the road. Along with an increase in the number of SUVs is an increase in the number of deaths from SUV accidents. Many of those deaths as well as non-fatal SUV accidents involve the SUV rolling over. This abnormally high rollover rate as compared to other types of vehicles is due to the manner in which SUVs are designed. SUVs have a higher center of gravity, narrow wheel bases, and less visibility than a sedan or even a minivan or pickup truck. An SUV accident can result in serious injuries to the driver, passengers, and pedestrians including broken bones, spinal injury, internal bleeding, back injury, neck injury, paralysis, or a severe head injury. If you were seriously hurt in an accident involving an SUV and you believe the accident was another person's fault, it is important that you contact an experienced Suffolk County SUV accident lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation to help you with the financial challenges of your medical expenses and other losses you experienced because of the accident.
SUV safety concernsOne of reasons that there are so many SUVs on the road is because consumers deem them to be safer due to their large size, and stylish. However, because they are taller and heavier than traditional sedans, they are actually more likely to be involved in rollover accidents than sedans, minivans, or pickup trucks. Statistics report that over 35% of all SUV accidents involve rollovers. Fatalities are common in rollover accidents because the roof of the vehicle collapses causing massive brain injuries. Few of these vehicles are fit with appropriate roll bars, and the roof takes the brunt of impact in a rollover. Victims of SUV rollover accidents tend to suffer serious injuries, including injuries to the head, brain, back, and spinal cord.
Personal injury lawsuitVictims seriously injured in SUV accidents and their families face significant financial problems. The financial problems are not only because of the medical bills, but also because the victim is unable to work for extended periods while recovering. The financial situation is compounded if the injured person was the family's primary source of income.
Holding the parties responsible for the accident accountable will help lessen financial pressure caused by the accident. As an SUV accident attorney in Suffolk will explain, through a personal injury lawsuit you may be awarded damages for your medical bills, including expenses related to the emergency, hospital stay, MRIs and other diagnostic tests, lab work, surgery, rehabilitation, medication and medical equipment. In addition, you may be awarded compensation related to the income you lost while recuperating from your injuries. Loss of income includes not only lost wages. It also includes the value of sick or vacation days you had to use while convalescing as well as any other type of compensation and benefits of employment that you lost.
You may also be able to recover compensation for the pain and suffering that you suffered as a result of the accident. Pain and suffering refers to not only physical pain from your injuries, but also for psychology suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Whether you will be entitled to receive a pain and suffering damage awards and the amount will be based on the severity of your injuries and whether any of your injuries are permanent.
If a family member died in an SUV accident, you may be able to collected damages by filing a wrongful death suit. Your claim can include reimbursement for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of future income.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesDetermining the cause of an SUV accident may turn on complex evidentiary issues. Thus, if you have been seriously injured in an accident that involved an SUV it is important to immediately contact an experienced SUV accident attorney serving Suffolk County at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims from people injured in SUV accidents as well as auto accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.