Rollover and Roof Crush Discussion

2009 September 9
by Justin Hill
A recent article by the Detroit Automotive Technology Examiner contained an in depth discussion regarding rollovers, roof crush, weight to strength ratios and the consequences of weak and/or strong roofs. It appears that part of this article is in response to the recent allegations that Toyota withheld or destroyed crucial documents in rollover lawsuits. For example the author states:

Auto crashes are a fact of modern life. Car-to-car crashes are especially affected by weight and size differentials between vehicles, and produce a complex set of interactive factors. In the case of a rollover, the situation is different; it’s simply a matter of the rolling vehicle and the ground; meaning the weight of the rolling vehicle and its structural integrity are involved. That’s why, in my opinion, it’s easier to prove roof defects by design and testing; that’s if the test results are ever made public. With that in mind, it’s crucial for all auto manufacturers to provide test results whenever ordered by a court of law. Any attempt to withhold, destroy or modify test documents is illegal and immoral. The temptation to cover up a flawed roof design may play well as a legal tactic to protect corporate assets, but never justifiable. A company’s reputation and integrity are equally valuable.

Regardless of the author’s motive, the article is well-written and discusses many topics that are not often explored in the mainstream media.

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