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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle rollovers account for the majority of fatal passenger car accidents, particularly in single-vehicle crashes. This type of car accident is among the scariest but how do you know if your vehicle is more likely to rollover in a crash?
A variety of factors can impact whether or not your vehicle may roll over in an accident. The type of vehicle you drive and your driving behaviors can play a major role.
Armada Law in Greenville is committed to turning the tides for victims involved in vehicle rollovers. In this blog post, we discuss what factors could cause a rollover crash, how to reduce rollover risks, and how a personal injury lawyer can help you if someone else caused your rollover accident.
Understanding What Could Cause a Rollover Accident
Rollover crashes occur when a vehicle tips onto its side. They can be the result of single-vehicle crashes or a negligent driver crashing into your vehicle. Here is a look at what causes rollover crashes.
High Center of Gravity
Vehicles with a high center of gravity are more prone to rolling over than those with a low center of gravity. For example, the Ford Explorer has a high center of gravity and is higher off the ground than the Mazda Miata MX 5 convertible, which has a five-star rollover rating. Between these two vehicles, the risk of rollover is greater for sport utility vehicles, and these types of vehicles are most likely to be involved in rollover accidents.
Sudden Maneuvers
In addition to the center of gravity of vehicles affecting rollover risks, taking a sharp turn is another factor that makes a vehicle more likely to roll. Sharp turns or sudden maneuvers can cause an issue that leads to the vehicle rolling. A sharp turn or collision that results from trying to maneuver away from danger is another reason why rollover accidents occur.
High Speed
No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, the risk of rollover is higher when speeding. Speeding often accounts for the highest percentage of fatal passenger crashes, particularly the percentage of fatal SUV accidents.
Most accidents, whether the vehicle rolls over or not, are caused by distractions. If someone is not paying attention, they are more likely to exceed the speed limit or make a sudden swerve to avoid danger, leading to these types of crashes. Every driver should abide by their duty to drive safely while behind the wheel.
Highest Rollover Risk Vehicles
SUVs, trucks, and vans are the most high-risk vehicles as they have an increased risk due to their higher center of gravity. SUV rollover accidents and accidents with pickup trucks are caused by the riskiest vehicles.
Rollover tendencies are higher in SUVs, largely because they are higher off the ground. Similarly, vans and cargo trucks can roll onto their sides. SUV rollover crashes are more common as there is a greater risk associated with larger vehicles, especially those that don’t come equipped with stability control ESC systems.
While fatal SUV crashes are more frequent, there are compact cars under scrutiny as well. While the discrepancy underscores the increased necessity of vehicle safety features and maintenance for larger vehicles such as SUVs and pickup trucks, it is imperative that all drivers and passengers understand these risks and drive with caution by utilizing safe driving behaviors, no matter the vehicle.
Legal Implications of a Rollover Crash
Statistics from SUV rollovers in 2003 noted they constituted 35.7 percent of fatal crashes compared to 15.8 percent of fatal car crashes. In 2022, data revealed that while safety features and vehicle design have come a long way, the percentage of fatalities for pickups was 19 percent and 16 percent for SUVs.
If you or a loved one were involved in a rollover wreck, the first thing that will be examined is your type of vehicle and whether any other cars were involved. The insurance company will most likely try to blame you for the accident, especially if it was a single-vehicle crash. Doing so would allow them to lower their payout for your injuries and damages, or even deny your claim.
A thorough investigation will be needed to determine how the accident occurred. Perhaps the roads were icy or there was a lack of road maintenance by state or local officials that led to your vehicle tipping over. When other vehicles are involved, their insurers may try to claim you were speeding or driving erratically when the accident happened, leading to the rollover of your vehicle in the crash.
No matter how it happened, contacting a car accident lawyer can help you determine your legal options and what steps to take.
Preventing Vehicle Rollover Accidents
Understanding the dynamics of vehicle rollovers can help you prevent an accident. Rollover prevention and safety are important for every driver, though one of the best steps to take before driving is to always wear seat belts.
New safety features can reduce some risks, yet the inherent danger remains, particularly in older model vehicles regardless of which car manufacturers produced them. Vehicles that have electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and other advanced stability control systems can help keep you safer on the road. When buying a vehicle, look at the features and vehicle design to make informed decisions about vehicle safety.
Driving safely is important, no matter what kind of vehicle you own. You should always follow traffic laws and abide by the speed limit. Be careful when you take turns, especially on highway ramps.
Another reason rollovers can occur is that a vehicle is overloaded. The even distribution of weight can help you keep your vehicle from tipping over, whether it is passengers or cargo. Above all, pay attention when you’re driving, putting all your focus on the road ahead. Even something seemingly benign, such as talking to passengers, can be a distraction that can lead to an overturned vehicle crash.
Steps to Take After Rollover Accidents
When a rollover accident happens, knowing what to do in the aftermath can help you protect your legal rights. This is why you should always call the police immediately, especially since you will need assistance moving your vehicle.
Even if your vehicle is the only one involved, responding officers will create a police report. They may find that road conditions and hazards led to your crash. If another vehicle was involved, the other driver may have been drunk or driving recklessly when they crashed into your vehicle, causing it to roll over. If citations were issued to the negligent driver, it can be proof that they should be held responsible for your injuries.
Rollover accidents are frightening, and they often result in serious injuries that need immediate medical treatment. Often, victims in these types of crashes don’t realize how severe their injuries are due to the surge of adrenaline. It is vital that you get medical care right away as some injuries may not have obvious symptoms. Internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries can become life-threatening conditions, especially when they are ignored.
If you are able to take photos and videos or talk to any witnesses, it’s a good idea to document what you can. Unfortunately, many victims in these types of car accidents must be transported to the hospital from the accident scene. When that happens, the need for rollover accident legal help becomes dire. In the aftermath, make sure you contact a personal injury lawyer to assist you with your car accident case.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You After a Rollover Accident
When rollover accidents occur, legal representation is encouraged. You may have awoken in the hospital with little recollection of what happened. Your injuries may be severe and require extensive surgeries to help you recover.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you should not be blamed for it or stuck with the medical expenses. It’s also likely you’ll be unable to work in the short or long term. When you have an attorney advocating for you after an accident like this, you will be able to focus on following your doctor’s orders without worrying about legal deadlines.
It’s also wise to have a lawyer representing you as they have greater resources to prove how the crash occurred. If you were unable to gather evidence on the scene, car accident lawyers can investigate and recover surveillance or traffic camera footage. They can also hire experts like accident reconstructionists who can recreate the crash and determine the cause.
It can be very traumatic to be involved in a car crash, and when a rollover occurs, the stakes are even higher. Armada Law helps accident victims protect their legal rights by offering compassionate legal support and aggressive negotiations. If you or a loved one were in a rollover accident, schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about what to do next.
