Experienced Seattle Passenger | Driver Ejection Lawsuit Attorneys

Representing Seriously Injured and Ejected Occupants in Washington Accidents

Seattle Car Accident Lawyers Helping Victims of Occupant Ejection

Every Washington auto accident is dangerous for everyone involved or even nearby, but perhaps one of the most dangerous circumstances that can arise is when someone is ejected from a vehicle. Given the speed, the force and the vulnerability involved, anyone who is thrown from a vehicle can face a lifetime of pain and suffering or even an untimely death. If this has happened to you or someone you love, you need the immediate help of an experienced Seattle car accident attorney.

Below you’ll find information regarding some of the leading causes of occupant ejection in regards to auto accidents, examples of the injuries and damages that someone who has been ejected from a vehicle could face and pursue and finally how you should proceed if you or someone you love has been ejected from a vehicle in an auto accident and you need the help of an experienced Washington auto accident lawyer.

Leading Causes of Occupant Ejections in Washington Auto Accidents

There are several entities both public and private that compile lists of causes of just about any type of auto accident, and the issue of occupant ejection is no different. Below you’ll find an overview of some of these leading causes of occupant ejection.

Rollover Crashes

Rollover crashes immediately put passengers at risk, and these types of crashes tend to occur in SUV’s more than any other type of vehicle. When a rollover occurs, the passenger compartment can be crushed and people can be thrown from the vehicle even if they are wearing seat belts. Some statistics indicate that more than half of all people killed in rollover crashes are thrown from the vehicle.

Side Windows

Most modern models of vehicles place a special emphasis on the glass used for the wind shield. This glass is manufactured such that the glass will shatter but remain intact so that people are not thrown through it. However, many vehicles do not place the same level of emphasis on side windows, and a large portion of people who are ejected from a vehicle are thrown through the side window.

Defective Door Latches

Door latches are generally not thought of prominently as a potentially dangerous feature, but they can malfunction when they are under pressure, and this malfunction can cause the door to open during a crash. The problem has arisen several times in the recent past, and in 2005 Ford recalled more than 300,000 Focus models because of this specific defect.

Seat Belt Malfunction

It should be stated that seat belts generally save lives. The federal government has estimated that almost 15,000 people every year have their lives saved by these restraints. In addition, no one disputes the notion that those who wear seat belts are much less likely to be killed in an auto accident than those who do not. However, seat belts can also malfunction and can disengage when pressure is applied to them at certain angles. If this occurs, anyone can be thrown from a vehicle during an accident.

Injuries and Potential Damages for Occupants Ejected from a Vehicle

When someone is ejected from a vehicle, it almost always results in serious injuries and even fatalities. When a person’s body is sent flying through the air and through auto wreckage, every part of the body is at risk. There are certain types of injuries that are more common than others when an occupant is ejected in a car accident, however, and examples of these include:

• Internal bleeding

• Spinal cord injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s)

• Paralysis

• Broken bones

• Death

Depending on the specific injuries suffered by the occupant who has been ejected and the reason that the occupant was thrown from the car, there are several different forms of damages that can be pursued by someone who has suffered through this experience. Below are brief descriptions of types of damages that could be sought by someone who has been thrown from a vehicle:

Medical Costs

Obviously, anyone who is thrown from a vehicle will need extensive medical attention. This can be recaptured by a successful plaintiff in a car accident lawsuit.

Lost Income

Some injuries are so severe that the person who has been harmed is unable to return to work. When this occurs, the income that’s been lost can be included in the damages that are awarded to a plaintiff who proves his or her claim.

Pain and Suffering

Any plaintiff who has been ejected from a vehicle will clearly experience excruciating pain and a long period of suffering in terms of quality of life. Courts are allowed to add this form of damages to lawsuits that seek them.

How a Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you or someone you love has been injured because of being ejected from a vehicle in an auto accident, you face a difficult struggle in terms of your recovery. You would also face the prospect of attempting to assert your legal rights against a large corporation. Rather than take all of this on, contact the experienced Seattle car accident lawyers at Phillips Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation. The firm has been holding defendants large and small accountable for the harm they’ve caused for decades.