Crashworthiness Overview

Crashworthiness is the term used to describe the ability of a vehicle to protect its occupants during an auto accident. Although some injuries and fatalities are inevitable in severe motor vehicle crashes, the structure, systems, and components of a motor vehicle should help prevent many injuries and should not increase the possibility of injuries.

Automakers and safety organizations conduct extensive research to improve the crashworthiness of vehicles. These entities not only create many safety features, but they also test these features to determine their effectiveness.

Crashworthiness Features

Some crashworthiness features included in many cars and trucks being made today include:

• Seatbelts that limit the forward motion of a vehicle occupant and that prevent the ejection of occupants during an impact
• Front and side impact airbags that create a cushion between an occupant and the body of the vehicle
• Crumple zones that absorb the impact of a collision and divert the force from the crash away from the passenger compartment
• Windshields made of safety glass that stays in one piece during an accident
• Collapsible steering columns that reduce driver injuries in a front-end crash
• Side impact protection beams that protect the passenger compartment
• Roll bars in the roof to protect the passenger compartment during a rollover

Crashworthiness Lawsuits

If design flaws or defective components do not adequately protect vehicle occupants during a crash, victims may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the vehicle manufacturer. These lawsuits may be filed separately than any personal injury claims against negligent drivers, especially if the victim suffered additional injuries due to the vehicle defects. If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident, speak with a personal injury attorney skilled in motor vehicle accident litigation to determine the best course of action to pursue to ensure your rights are protected.