Falling Out of a Car

Cars pose many dangers, including the collisions that kill thousands of people every year. But one risk that may go overlooked is the possibility of falling from a moving vehicle. Although the danger is obvious and very familiar to anyone who has opened a car door while on the road, the chance of it happening in most vehicles is small. It is easy to take for granted the integrity of our cars, but it only takes a single faulty latch for someone to tumble out of a moving vehicle.

As with collisions, the danger of falling out of a vehicle depends on location and speed. The risks are greatest on busy highways, where high speeds and the presence of other cars can easily prove fatal. Hitting the pavement and tumbling at highway speed carries a low chance of survival, made all the worse by other vehicles. At lower speeds and in rural areas, a fall might only cause bruises and skinned elbows. Even at higher speeds, having grass or another soft surface to fall into can radically improve your chances of escaping injury.

When someone falls out of a car, it can be difficult to determine liability. The fall might just be the mistake of the person who fell, perhaps by not wearing their seatbelt and opening the door. Being in a seatbelt makes a fall less likely, but a faulty door latch can catch a passenger off guard and lead to the passenger falling out of the seatbelt. The driver might also be liable if they knew the door was coming open but did not take measures to ensure the safety of passengers.

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If someone you love has died or been seriously injured from falling out of a moving vehicle, you may be entitled to damages. Manufacturers and vehicle owners can be held liable for wrongful injuries or death due to their negligence. To discuss your case with a lawyer, contact the experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today at 800-876-LAWYER.