43,200 Americans were killed in motor vehicle accidents on highways in the United States in 2005.

One fourth of those fatalities – 10,816 people – died from vehicle rollovers, and rollovers accounted for less than 5 percent of all vehicle accidents in that year. More than 5,000 people suffered from injuries that caused them to become quadriplegic. Injuries and fatalities from rollovers are caused by the roof of the vehicle crushing the passengers, or from glass shattered from the roof crush.

Common sense would say that the the automobile industry is working to cut the amount of injuries – but it is not. In fact, these manufacturers are trying to use a federal agency, the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), to eliminate the rights of car crash victims seeking justice and compensation from their injuries – injuries that could be prevented with stronger roof crush standards.

Hopefully, with pressure from Congress and consumer advocate groups, the NHTSA will maintain citizen’s access to our court system and revise their standard to more stringent – and safer – levels.

On July 11, an Alabama court decided that a case filed by car wreck attorneys against Ford Motor Company, Pontiac Coil, Inc. and Visteon Corporation can proceed despite motions to dismiss.

The motion to dismiss filed by Pontiac Coil, Inc. was denied because of pre-established case law.

Car wreck attorneys filed the case on behalf of the Alabama couple after the wife was seriously injured in a car wreck. The case alleges that the brake transmission shift interlock system failed, causing the vehicle to move out of park and into gear. The ensuing car wreck resulted in serious injuries to the wife including the amputation of her leg.

Ideally, the brake transmission shift interlock system will not allow a driver to shift the vehicle out of park without applying pressure to the brake.

Over 180,000 vehicles are being recalled by Nissan due to a defective air conditioning fan motor. The models that are being recalled include:

• Nissan Infinity QX56, model years 2005/2006
• Nissan Armada, model years 2005/2006
• Nissan Titan, model years 2005/2006

The vehicles are being recalled due to a defective fan motor which may not be sealed properly. Improper sealing may cause corrosion and may allow water to drain onto the motor. This can lead to overheating which may possibly result in a vehicle fire.

Car wreck attorneys understand that serious burn injuries can result during a vehicle fire. In the event that a vehicle fire results from defective vehicle manufacturing, the manufacturer may be liable for the injuries.