FORD EXPEDITION ROLLOVERS

The rollover of this 1997 Ford Expedition SUV caused severe roof crush and front roof pillar failure. The extreme weight of the Expedition and the poor design of weak roof supports caused the roof pillar the collapse and the side roof rail to fail.  If this Ford Expedition had been built with a internal roll-cage, then the amount of roof deformation would have most likely minimal. Good news is, that it does not appear as though any of the door locks or latches failed during this Ford Expedition rollover. Though not shown in these images, the airbags did not deploy as there is little frontal damage to this vehicle. When the windows and windshield is shattered and is opened up, this is a likely exit for a passenger being ejected, in case they become free from a seatbelt opening or unlatching or in case they failed to put on their seatbelt. The initial reason for this rollover is unknown, but it does not appear to be from tire failure as no tread separation is noted.

ROLLOVER INJURIES FROM ROOF CRUSH

During a SUV rollover the roof pillars, front roof header and side roof rails often can collapse and invade the occupant safety zone. When this happens the roof is pushed into or forced into the occupant, often resulting in neck fractures that can render the passenger or driver a paraplegic, quadriplegic or brain damaged or even worst death. These rollover /roof crush injuries result from shear and flexion forces unto the neck and spinal cord of the occupants. Roof crush injuries are caused by the energy of the vehicle in a roll creating compressive forces pushing down on the top of skull when the head is in an upright position. The compression causes a bursting fracture in the C4 to C7 of the cervical spine. This bursting fracture causes a loss of intravertebral space both anterior and posterior.

Diving type injuries can occur from defective seatbelts allowing too much slack and body movement, resulting in the occupant diving into the roof during the rollover. Often it can be proved by biomechanical experts that most of the spinal damage occurs from the roof crushing verses the occupant diving into the roof. Similar neck, head & spinal injuries can also result when the rollover occupant is thrown or ejected from the vehicle during the roll. Even in low speed rollovers the energy that is absorbed by the person ejected during the impact with the pavement or ground is deadly. 

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