Common Causes of Rollover Crashes
Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran
No one chooses to be involved in car accidents, especially ones involving rollovers. Many factors come into play in an accident, and one involving a rollover is no different. The combination of road conditions, vehicles involved, the weather, and individual driving skills often create a complicated series of events that lead to a dangerous situation for all those involved.
Per research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most fatal rollovers occur due to an initial impact with another vehicle or some static object. However, approximately 28 percent of all rollovers occur without any type of impact and result in a single-vehicle rollover.
There are many key factors involved in these types of accidents. However, some common causes can contribute to hazardous situations.
Driver Loss of Control
A driver losing control of a vehicle is at the top of the list of common causes of rollover crashes. This loss of control can be caused by various distractions, such as texting or talking on a cell phone, a lack of focus on the road, or nodding off. Hitting something in the roadway or a curb during routine driving can also cause a driver to lose control, throwing the vehicle off its high center of gravity and causing it to flip.
Aggressive Driving
A highly preventable causes of rollover crashes, and accidents in general, is aggressive or risky maneuvers taken by the driver. This might include constant swerving or speeding up around turns. Such actions, especially if speeds exceed 55 miles per hour, can lead to a vehicle’s tires experiencing friction with the road’s surface, resulting in a rollover.
Often this type of driver behavior is erratic and common whenever road rage is involved. When such circumstances occur, be sure to seek out legal advice.
Multi-Vehicle Involvement
Rollovers are most likely to occur in a single-vehicle crash. Less common are multi-vehicle accidents. A collision can force your vehicle to roll over by the sheer force and location of a direct hit.
These types of rollovers often occur due to negligence on the part of one of the drivers. Such negligence may be in the form of excess speed, impairment, traffic law violations, or distractions. When this occurs, with injuries, seeking out a personal injury lawyer for legal advice can help you determine if you have the basis for a lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Faulty Equipment or Roadways
Vehicle maintenance is important to prolong the life of your vehicle and ensure your safety and that of others. Tire failure can lead to a total loss of control, causing a rollover in seconds.
Another factor that contributes to rollover accidents is road conditions. Potholes and other surface hazards, when hit at certain speeds, can lead to a rollover. Rural roads may contain fewer safety barriers, which increase your chances of an accident.
Take Action
Car crashes happen every day, and dangerous or fatal rollover accidents are some of the most extreme vehicle accidents. Not only are these detrimental to the vehicles involved, but can also cause severe and life-threatening injuries to all inside. If you or a loved one have been involved in a rollover accident, take action now, especially if you suspect negligence is involved.
Contact the expert personal injury lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. in Michigan at 866-MICH-LAW today for your free consultation.
Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.
