Faulty Windshield Installation

Few drivers realize how important their windshield is to the structure of their vehicle. Obviously, a windshield helps deflect rocks, debris, and other objects from entering the vehicle while driving, but it plays a much more important role than that. The windshield helps deflect passenger airbags during deployment, helps prevent roof collapse during a rollover accident, and helps keep passengers in the car where they are safer during an accident.

Rollover accidents kill 10,000 people on America's highways every year - accounting for 33% of road accident deaths - and thousands more are injured. Being ejected from the vehicle greatly increases the risk of death or major injury. Faulty windshield installation can cause the windshield to pop out during an accident, both increasing the chance of roof collapse and ejection from the vehicle, and in turn increasing your risk and severity of injury or death.

But as ABC's 20/20 showed in 2000, installation is a complicated process and short cuts made by installers and the companies themselves can have potentially lethal consequences. In one case revealed on the show, a woman was rendered paraplegic after her car rolled over, popping out the windshield allowing the roof to collapse. It was found that the aftermarket company that installed the windshield four years before was not properly primed, so it never properly attached to the car.

Few Windshields Installed Correctly in the United States

In fact as little as 3 in 10 windshields are installed correctly in the United States, and in most cases the customer can never tell. This is due to several reasons including use of inferior products/improper products to keep windshield rates competitive, and just plain laziness on the part of the installer.

Each new windshield has to be properly cleaned, primed, and handled to ensure that the bonding adhesive secures the windshield to the frame of the car. Further, the car should not be driven for several hours, depending on the adhesive used, to let the bond harden.

Gross negligence can even result in the windshield popping out during normal operation or relatively minor accidents causing major injury to the occupants.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that caused your windshield to pop out, contact Jim S. Adler & Associates today to find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve. There may be several different parties involved liable for your injuries including the glass replacement company, the vehicle manufacturer, as well as other drivers. Don't try to sort out the details for yourself. Leave that for the professional personal injury lawyers at Jim S. Adler & Associates and make sure you get the best settlement possible.

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