California Court Affirms $25 Million Roof Crush Verdict

The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

At least 10,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year due to weak roofs in rollover crashes. Rather than hire engineers to build strong roofs, auto companies hired lobbyists to weaken safety standards. These lobbyists got the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to weaken the roof strength standard (FMVSS 216) so much that roofs of SUVs will not support the vehicle’s weight when the windshield breaks in a rollover. When government fails to stand up to the auto industry to save lives, it’s up to the courts to impose judgments like the $25 million verdict in Lambert v GM which forces the industry to put safety ahead of sales.

Click here to view the Court Opinion