California Injury Lawyer Blog

ALBANY - A Ford Explorer SUV rollover tragically killed a 48-year-old Oakland man Monday morning in Alameda County, Mercury News reported. The accident was reported on eastbound Interstate 80, just west of Buchanan Street, at about 10 a.m. on Monday, April 18, 2011. The victim, identified by the Alameda County coroner's bureau as Napoleon Quintero, was driving a white Ford Explorer with his wife and two children when for unknown reasons, he lost control of the vehicle, causing the SUV to roll multiple times. Quintero's wife suffered a broken leg, and his two children suffered minor to moderate injuries.

Cause of the April 18th Accident

The cause of the SUV rollover accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol At this point, the news reports raise more questions than answers as to what happened. It is not clear why Quintero lost control of his vehicle. Vehicle rollovers can occur for many reasons, from unsafe steering maneuvers to tire blowouts to dangerous road conditions. Hopefully, the investigation by the CHP will provide answers as to why this tragic rollover occurred.

SUV Rollover Accident Liability

Ford Motor Co. and other vehicle manufacturers have paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements to victims of SUV rollover accidents and their families. If a design defect in the vehicle is determined to have caused or contributed to the fatal accident, the manufacturer of the car may be liable for the wrongful death of the driver, Napoleon Quintero, and the injuries sustained by his family members in the vehicle with him. Following a fatal Ford Explorer rollover crash such as this April 18th crash on Interstate 80, the family members of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to speak with a California SUV rollover accident lawyer.

Although no money awarded in a verdict or settlement can bring back a loved one's life taken too soon, a personal injury or wrongful death claim can ensure responsible parties are held accountable, and that future similar occurrences may be prevented. Damages awarded in wrongful death claim may include compensation for anticipated future earnings and financial contributions the decedent would have earned, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of love, care, affection, guidance and companionship.