A rollover accident is a type of serious car accident where a vehicle tips over and rolls- often leaving passengers with severe injuries- or worse. In most cases, a vehicle rollover occurs when the vehicle's momentum and weight become imbalanced- usually because of driver error.
SUVs and pickups are especially prone to these potentially devastating accidents- especially when it is an inexperienced driver behind the wheel. Luckily, many potential hazards that increase the chances of this type of accident are avoidable simply by taking basic action.
Rollover accidents are frightening, and avoiding them should be a priority for everyone. Here are five ways to limit the chances of your vehicle rolling in an accident- and a few other useful things to know about rollover crashes.
A Few Statistics for Rollover Car Accidents
A person is 36% more likely to suffer a severe injury in a rollover accident than a standard car accident.
Fatal rollover crashes account for roughly 4500 deaths in the US every year.
More than 90% of rollover accidents involving an SUV are single-vehicle accidents.
There are over 280,000 annual rollover accidents in the US leading to more than 58,000 hospitalizations.
SUVs roll more than any other type of vehicle.
Rollover accidents are the leading cause of single-vehicle crash fatalities.
What Types of Vehicles are Most Likely to be Involved in a Rollover Accident?
Vehicles that have a high center of gravity are most likely to roll. SUV rollovers are especially common. These taller, narrower vehicles do not have the width and weight in their base to balance effectively if the driver loses control.
Other vehicles more at risk of rolling over during an accident are:
Passenger vehicles with 15 or more seats
Pickups
Large commercial vehicles
Cars, vans, or trucks with defective or worn-out tires
What Can Cause a Rollover Accident?
Rollover accidents are most often single-vehicle incidents- meaning it is often the driver's own actions that cause them to crash. Here are some of the possible reasons.
Excessive speeding
Reckless driving
Swerving to miss other drivers or road obstacles
Turning a corner too quickly
Overloading of vehicles
Poor understanding of how to drive an SUV
Five Ways to Avoid a Rollover Crash
Here are five tips for rollover prevention- all of which are simple steps that all drivers should take anyway as part of their duty of care to themselves, their passengers, and other road users. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can also provide insight on what you can do to avoid jackknife accidents.
Check Your Tires Regularly
Low inflation pressure and balding on tires are major factors in rollover accidents- creating a much higher risk of spinning out of control.
Properly inflated tires with no bald spots or excessive wear are vital for a safe driving experience. If the tire grip is lacking in any way, it could reduce the car's ability to regain control if it starts to slide or spin.
Tyre pressure should be checked every month- more so if it feels like something could be wrong. Keeping these checks up-to-date could save someone's life.
Be Careful When Loading the Car
Exceeding the heaviest cargo limit can affect a vehicle's stability- making it more likely to tip over and roll if something goes wrong.
It is also important to disperse weight evenly from front to back to counter the high center of gravity in an SUV. A top-heavy vehicle increases the chance of rolling if an accident happens, and it can be harder to keep control of things in general while driving.
Pay Attention to the Speed Limits
Driving at an excessive speed is the leading cause of rollover accidents- and one of the leading causes of car accidents in general.
Losing control of a vehicle at a safe speed can still lead to an accident, but there is a better chance of stopping it before it rolls. Momentum is what causes vehicles to roll- and the higher the speed, the stronger the momentum.
Do Not Drive Distracted or Impaired
Even if a driver is not diving faster than the speed limit, a head-on collision at highway speeds is still highly likely to cause a rollover- with potentially fatal results. That is why driving with distractions or under the influence must be avoided at all costs.
Undivided highways and country roads are especially dangerous, and rollover accidents on these types of roads are often severe. Texting, talking on the phone, eating or drinking, or being under the influence of any substances creates an increased risk of losing control and rolling over.
Know the Vehicle's Safety Systems
Although wearing safety belts won't prevent rollovers, it could save a person's life if they are in an accident. Almost two-thirds of rollover fatalities are caused when a person is ejected (thrown) from the vehicle during the crash.
Many new vehicles have electronic stability control and other built-in computerized technology features designed to prevent rollover accidents, so it is worth checking the details.
Final Thoughts
In short, the best way to prevent rollover accidents is to drive according to road safety regulations and the advice of the vehicle manufacturer.
Common sense goes a long way here- and taking the necessary steps to keep everyone in the vehicle safe is often the difference between life and death. Most fatal rollovers occur when someone is driving recklessly in one way or another- either at excessive speeds or with an unsuitable vehicle. It is not worth the risk.
Anyone who is injured in a rollover accident that was not their fault may be able to seek compensation for their injuries, suffering, and damages to their property. It is important for victims to hire a Toledo semi truck accident lawyer to hold at-fault drivers responsible for their negligence.
Speak to a Toledo attorney who will go to war for you today through Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys. As leading personal injury lawyers, they have extensive experience handling car accidents and rollovers- and can help injured parties and their families fight for the fair compensation and justice they deserve.
Comments