California Injury Blog
Charlotte Lorraine Winn, 73, was killed in a August 10, 2009 San Diego car accident after she lost control of her 2001 Ford Explorer SUV and crashed on Route 79, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Winn was heading north on the highway when she lost control of the Explorer, which ran off the pavement and rolled over several times. The SUV came to rest against a tree on the west side of the road, California Highway Patrol officials said. Winn was airlifted to an area hospital where she died. Her 68-year-old husband, who was a passenger in the SUV, reportedly suffered moderate injuries.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Charlotte Lorraine Winn for their untimely and tragic loss. I wish her injured husband a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.
Rollover Car Accident Statistics
According to the CHP’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 268 fatalities and 14,641 injuries reported in San Diego County as a result of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are on an average, 10,000 fatalities involving rollover accidents in the United States each year. Rollover accidents can be deadly because of the severe impact and also because various vehicle defects could cause or contribute to catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Ford Explorer Vehicle Defect Issues
Ford SUVs — specifically the Explorer, Expedition and Excursion models — are notorious for going out of control and overturning even at low speeds. Because of their high center of gravity, these Ford SUVs are disproportionately prone to rollovers compared to other passenger vehicles. Roof crush is also a serious problem in these vehicles. What this means is when these SUVs roll over, the roof of the vehicle does not maintain its shape. It’s so flimsy, poorly designed and constructed that it crushes the occupants of the vehicles, resulting in catastrophic or traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys has represented several car accident victims who have been paralyzed in such rollover crashes involving Ford SUVs and have suffered permanent disabilities requiring 24/7 care.
Charlotte Lorraine Winn’s family would be well-advised to contact a reputed California personal injury lawyer who has experience pursuing auto products liability cases against large auto makers such as Ford. Winn’s family would also be well-advised to preserve the Explorer in its current condition so it can be thoroughly examined by an expert for auto product defects including seatbelt defects, mechanical problems and other evidence. The best product defect law firms will always offer a comprehensive and free initial consultation to car accident victims and/or their families.