Cutting Edge Issues in SUV Litigation: Occupant Protection in Rollover Crashes

Attorneys practicing products liability or personal injury law need to understand the role that occupant protective devicesóseat belts, airbags, smart airbagsóplay in rollover crashes of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).† An expert witness will provide attorneys with basic technical background that they need to consider when involved in these types of cases.† Presentation contains charts, graphics, photos, and statistics related to this subject.

1. SUV Revolution
   1. Light trucks (SUVs, pickups, and vans) represent 50% of new vehicle sales in the U.S.
   2. SUVs replacing the station wagon and full-sized sedan as the suburban "grocery getter"
   3. Current "truck" regulations are holdovers from days of different fleet usage patterns
   4. Current SUV issue† - questions facing manufacturers and regulators
   5. SUV rollover - SUVs have higher rollover incidence than passenger vehicles
      
2. SUV Rollover Injury Mitigation
   1. Roof strength -- occupant compartment integrity
   2. Seat belts
   3. Advanced glazing
   4. Airbags
      
3. Airbag Technology
   1. Designs
   2. NHTSA tests
   3. Non-technical Issues
      
4. Airbag Induced Injuries
   
5. Standards & Upgrades
   
6. Implementation Issues
   
7. Summary
   1. SUV popularity necessitates occupant protection upgrades
   2. Recent regulatory history and current climate suggest caution to avoid mistakes
   3. Overall safety costs in vehicles increasing substantially
   4. Several promising technologies are possibilities for injury mitigation
   5. Significant technical issues still await
   6. Smart airbags will raise consumer expectations