Roof Crush

In 1973, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued Standard 216, known as the "Roof Crush Resistance" standard. The purpose was to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from the crushing of the roof into the passenger compartment in auto rollover accidents. These rules are in effect for cars since the 1974 model year and for trucks and vans since the 1995 model year.

Even with these federally mandated standards, the failure of the roof of a car, SUV, or truck is the most likely failure to cause death or injury. The roof remains the least crashworthy part of the vehicle. SUV drivers and passengers are twice as likely to be killed in a rollover accident than those in a standard vehicle. The most likely result to a vehicle occupant due to roof collapse is that he/she may sustain brain injuries, quadriplegia, or death.

Some vehicle manufacturers continue to produce cars, trucks, and vans that have inadequately designed and installed roofs. Severe roof crush is frequently the product of weak or flimsy roof pillars and other supporting structures. Sometimes simple design changes would have prevented serious injury or death. In other situations, the installation of such things as a sunroof weakens the roof structure.

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