Buying a truck or SUV off the lot is often just step one for a lot of drivers. You see it every day on the highway: lifted suspensions, oversized all-terrain tires, custom bumpers, and heavy roof racks. People love making a rig their own. It looks cool, and it sets the vehicle apart from the thousands of identical models on the road. But there is a serious side to these upgrades that rarely gets mentioned until something goes wrong.
We are talking about physics. Changing how a truck sits changes how it crashes. When a modified vehicle ends up upside down, the legal case becomes a lot more complicated than a standard traffic accident.
Messing with the Center of Gravity
To understand the legal fight, you have to look at the mechanics. SUVs and pickup trucks are already tall. They have a high center of gravity, which means they are naturally more likely to tip over than a low-slung sedan.
When you add a six-inch lift kit, you are pushing that center of gravity even higher. Think of it like a person walking on stilts. They are much easier to push over than someone standing on their own two feet. If the track width, i.e., the distance between the wheels, stays the same while the height goes up, stability drops.
If you have to swerve to miss a deer or take a highway off-ramp a little too fast, that extra height acts like a lever. The tires might grip the asphalt, but the body of the truck wants to keep moving sideways, leading to a roll. In court, this physical reality is the first thing the defense will attack.
The “Not Our Design” Defense
Car makers have a playbook for these situations. In a normal product liability case, you might argue that the vehicle was designed poorly. Maybe the roof crushed in too easily, or the stability control failed.
But if you have modified the suspension, the manufacturer will argue that you broke the chain of causation. They will say the vehicle was safe when it left the factory. They will claim that your aftermarket parts created an unstable condition they could not predict.
This is often called a “superseding cause.” The argument is that the lift kit or the big tires are the real reason for the injuries, not the original design of the truck. If a roof collapses, they will argue the roof was built to handle the weight of a stock truck, not one that falls harder and faster due to aftermarket changes.
Who Built the Parts?
Since the original car maker will try to wash their hands of the accident, we have to look elsewhere. Liability often shifts to the companies that made the aftermarket parts or the shops that installed them.
This requires a deep dive into the details. Did the lift kit come with proper warnings about rollover risks? Was the metal used in the suspension components strong enough? Sometimes, a local shop might install a kit incorrectly, using the wrong torque settings or skipping safety checks. If a mechanic’s negligence made the vehicle unsafe, they can be held responsible for the damages.
The Blame Game
Defense lawyers will also try to point the finger at the driver. This is known as comparative negligence. They want a jury to believe that by modifying the vehicle, you accepted the risk of flipping over. They try to paint enthusiasts as reckless just for wanting a custom look.
This is a frustrating tactic, but it doesn’t mean you lose automatically. Owning a modified truck does not mean you sign away your right to safety. Aftermarket parts are legal to buy and install, and they should be safe for their intended use. We counter these arguments by using expert witnesses (engineers and accident reconstructionists) who can prove that the injuries were caused by negligence, not just the fact that the truck was lifted.
Don’t Fight This Battle Alone
Rollover cases involving modified rigs are messy. They involve layers of engineering data and aggressive legal teams representing big manufacturers. You cannot rely on a general approach to handle these specific challenges. You need someone who understands the hardware and the law.
If you or a family member has been hurt in a rollover involving a modified vehicle, you need answers. Pencheff and Fraley are ready to help. Contact us today to set up a consultation, and let us fight for the compensation you are owed.
Visit us at:
- Westerville – 4151 Executive Pkwy, Suite 355, Westerville, OH 43081
- Mansfield – 33 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd, Mansfield, OH 44906
Call now for a free consultation on (614) 224-4114.
