Causes of Rollover Crashes

There are many types of car accidents: rear end, sideswipe, left turn, failure to yield, and many more. While any type of car accident can cause injuries, rollover accidents are particularly dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that rollover accidents have a higher fatality rate than other types of accidents. While rollover accidents account for only 2.1% of all accidents in 2010, they accounted for 35% of all deaths from passenger vehicle accidents in the United States.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact the Dolman Law Group to schedule a free consultation with a Clearwater area personal injury attorney. Our experienced car accident lawyers ensure that your claim is negotiated and litigated aggressively so that you receive the fair compensation to which you are legally entitled.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these are some of the most common causes of rollover accidents:

Speed: NHTSA reports that approximately forty percent of fatal rollover accidents involve excessive speed. Seventy-five percent of all fatal rollover accidents occurred in locations where the posted speed limit was fifty-five miles per hour or higher. Speed makes it more difficult for drivers to control their vehicles. This is particularly problematic in SUVs and other vehicles with a high center of gravity.

Alcohol: NHTSA also reports that nearly half of all fatal rollover accidents involved alcohol.

Location: Rural roads - without dividers or barriers - experience more rollover accidents than urban areas. Nearly seventy-five percent of all fatal rollover accidents occurred in rural areas.

Driver Error: Fatal rollover accident data indicates that driver behavior one of the most significant factors in causing rollover accidents. Nearly eighty-five percent of all fatal rollover accidents involved a single car (indicating that there was no other driver whose behavior contributed to the accident). Furthermore, ninety percent of those accidents occurred during routine driving maneuvers, such as driving straight or negotiating a curve. These facts strongly suggest that inattentiveness and distraction are frequent factors in rollover accidents.

The Types of Vehicles Which are Most Susceptible to Rollover Accidents

There is no single vehicle that can be considered the “safest”. This is because driving situations are not uniform, and the needs of the driver will vary based upon the unique present circumstances. Forbes points out that, generally, heavier trucks and sport utility vehicles are at an advantage in a collision, because they absorb less impact from the other vehicle. Yet SUVs and pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll over in a single car accident, and because of this, they have high fatality rates.

The high rollover rate is attributable to physics. Trucks and SUVs have a higher center of gravity that lower, smaller cars. This makes it easier for them to tip over. It also makes it more difficult for a driver to correct the vehicle once something (such as wind) has impaired the vehicle’s balance. New electronic stability control technologies can help drivers maintain control, but such features cannot wholly compensate for the challenging physics of a tall, narrow vehicle.

Large, heavy vehicles are generally more difficult to control. This makes it difficult to correct even small changes in balance. In one tragic case out of Jupiter, two Florida paramedics were killed when a car attempted to make a u-turn in front of their ambulance. In a more bizarre case out of San Antonio, a truck carrying snakes and a baby alligator lost control after a tire blowout. Twenty-three snakes were captured, but the baby alligator was not immediately found. Law enforcement agents had to perform a reverse 911 call operation to make local residents aware of the alligator and remaining snakes. Such cases illustrate the outlandish - and sometimes deadly - consequences of even a simple rollover accident.

Of course, large and heavy vehicles are not the only ones which can roll over. One Virginia Tech medical student has spent years researching lawn mower accidents and found that rollover accidents on lawn mowers are surprisingly common. He hopes to start an injury prevention program in the local region (which experiences a high number of rollover lawn mower accidents). All-terrain vehicles are also prone to rolling over. ATV accidents have recently claimed the lives of victims in Myrtle Point, Oregon; Round Lake Township, Washington; and a thirteen-year-old girl in Bonavista, Canada.

The Risks of Large Commercial Trucks

Large trucks pose many hazards to all drivers and passengers on the road. When a big rig is heavy with loaded cargo, it can easily lose control. This can cause the truck to roll over or cause other vehicles to lose control and roll over themselves. Drivers should use particular caution any time there is a big rig on the road:

• Leave adequate space between your vehicle and the truck (which requires a longer stopping distance). 
• Make sure the truck driver can see you and use lights or horns as necessary. 
• Signal any lane changes well in advance. Do not make any unexpected movements.
• Use particular caution in construction zones and anywhere else large trucks are likely to be found. 
• Do not allow yourself to become distracted by passengers (such as children or pets) or 
• technology (such as entertainment systems, navigation systems, or smart phones).
• Identify hazards as early as possible. This will maximize the time available to respond, and improve your chances of avoiding a collision or rollover accident. 
• Stay awake and alert behind the wheel. Pull over and rest when you begin to feel fatigued. 

Experienced Representation for your Rollover Accident Claim

The car accident attorneys of the Dolman Law Group have decades of experience in negotiating and litigating car accident claims. They fight hard to protect Clearwater residents from injuries and ensure that they are fairly compensated when injuries do occur. Our experienced team has the legal expertise to successfully handle your claim. Call (727) 451-6900 to schedule your free consultation with a personal injury attorney today. Our experienced, aggressive attorneys will protect your right to be compensated for your injuries and losses.

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/auto-accidents-attorneys/