Rollovers have a higher fatality rate than any other type of car crash. Fortunately, these accidents are becoming more and more rare with advances in motor vehicle safety. With electronic stability control required on all vehicles made after 2012, single-vehicle rollover accidents, in particular, are decreasing. About half the time, though, a “single-vehicle” rollover accident occurs when the driver is trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle using a steering maneuver. Further, in 72% of accidents, the vehicle crashed into something before rolling over.
What Is A Rollover?
A crash is considered a rollover accident any time the vehicle tips onto its side or roof during the collision. Many times, the vehicle leaves the roadway before the rollover takes place. Passengers can be ejected from the vehicle during the rollover, especially if they are not wearing seat belts. In 2018, about 6,583 passenger-vehicle occupants were killed in rollover accidents, and countless more were seriously injured.
Are SUVs More Likely to Rollover?
Any kind of vehicle can rollover, but taller, narrower vehicles have higher centers of gravity and are thus more susceptible to rollovers. Vehicles with high centers of gravity include SUVs, pickups, and vans.
Other factors that cause or contribute to rollover accidents include:
- Speed – About 40% of rollover accidents involve excessive speeding.
- Alcohol – Nearly half of rollover crashes involve alcohol.
- Location – Rural roads where speed limits are 55 mph or higher are the most common sites of rollover accidents.
- Driver behavior – Most rollovers happen during routine driving maneuvers that are interrupted by inappropriate driver behavior, like distracted driving, drowsiness, speeding, and aggressive or impaired driving.
Just like any car can get in a rollover accident, any driver can cause or contribute to a rollover. If the accident was not your fault, however, you should not have to suffer from the consequences alone.
What Should I Do if I Was Injured in a Rollover that Wasn’t My Fault?
Rollover accidents are deeply traumatic and usually more complicated than they seem in terms of fault. As such, you will need to figure out exactly who or what caused your accident. At the Paulsen Law Group, we can investigate the cause of your rollover accident and consider all potential factors. Negligent auto design could have something to do with your crash, or another driver’s speed or reckless behavior could be the primary cause. Our firm even considers the possibility of roadway defects, and we are not afraid to go up against public agencies.
To get to the bottom of your accident and hold the correct parties accountable, please do not hesitate to contact our attorneys at (727) 270-8260 or request a free consultation online.