An SUV rollover accident in San Diego killed 25-year-old Neydi Arely Ramirez the morning of June 1, 2010 and left two others seriously injured. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the fatal collision occurred when Ramirez's Ford Explorer SUV crossed over to opposing lanes of traffic and struck a Chrysler PT Cruiser and a Jeep driven by a U.S. Border Patrol official. Both the driver of the PT Cruiser and the Border Patrol vehicle were transported to area hospitals with injuries. Ramirez died at the scene.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Ramirez for their devastating loss. I also wish the two injured victims the very best for a quick and full recovery. These victims and families will be in my prayers.

Rollover Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year in the United States, at least 10,000 people are killed in rollover accidents. A number of these involve SUVs and light trucks. Rollover accidents account for nearly 25 percent of all traffic accident fatalities in the United States. They also cause thousands of catastrophic injuries each year.

SUVs and Rollovers

It's tough to tell from this report why Ramirez lost control of the SUV. But officials say she did not seem to have been impaired. The article also does not state if Ramirez was fatigued or distracted. The question arises if there was a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the SUV that caused this tragic collision. Ford SUVs are particularly notorious for their instability and poor crashworthiness. Our firm has done extensive crash testing on several models of Ford SUVs and found them to be unstable and dangerous vehicles. Their high center of gravity and narrow track width causes them to tip over even at normal speeds.

Victims or their families in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer who will make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. In any car accident case, it is a good idea to preserve the crashed vehicle so it can be examined by an expert for evidence of vehicle defects or malfunctions.

What are some of the biggest challenges victims and their families face in the aftermath of a car accident?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

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