The Dangers of Rollover Car Accidents | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Any kind of car accident can be a traumatic event that results in injury or even death, but rollover crashes can be especially dangerous. Although vehicle developers and manufacturers have come up with greater safety measures to prevent injuries in the event a vehicle flips in a crash, these accidents are still one of the top causes of fatal car accidents.

Under 5 percent of major vehicle accidents are rollover crashes, yet approximately 30 percent of car accident deaths are caused by rollover accidents. Many of these victims were not wearing seat belts when the crash occurred, so it is critical that anyone riding in a vehicle should always buckle up for safety’s sake. There are still many risk factors that contribute to these types of crashes and this is why it is important for drivers to understand these factors in order to help prevent them.

 

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What Causes Rollover Accidents?

One of the most common causes of rollover crashes is when a vehicle swerves into an object like a curb, median, or pothole. This is referred to as tripping because as the vehicle swerves into the object, it trips over the object and is thrown off balance. This can cause the vehicle to roll over.

There are certain types of vehicles that are more at risk of rolling over in these circumstances, including SUVs, vans, and trucks. These types of vehicles often have a harder time when taking curves too quickly, causing tires to lose a grip on the road. This risk is even higher if the tires have either too little or too much grip, causing the vehicle to trip as it is traveling.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Rollover Accidents?

There are steps drivers can take to help avoid rollover crashes. Some of these include the following:

  • Seat belts: As mentioned above, every occupant in any type of vehicle should always wear their seat belt. The force that occurs in a rollover crash is often so strong that it can causes occupants in a vehicle to be flung around or even thrown from the vehicle but wearing seat belts can prevent this from happening.  
  • Speed: Speeding is also a common factor in causing rollover accidents. This is particularly true when rounding curves. Traveling too fast can cause the driver to lose control, resulting in the vehicle flipping over.
  • Tires: Check your vehicle tires often to make sure that they are properly inflated, as well as making sure there is enough tread to properly grip the road.
  • Newer vehicles: The newer the vehicle you are driving, the more safety measures they will have to prevent injuries and death in the event of a crash. Increased electronic stability control systems and better airbags are just two safety features that older vehicles may not have.

Contact a Virginia Rollover Accident Attorney for Help

If you have been injured in a rollover crash – or any other type of vehicle accident – contact a Virginia car accident attorney to find out what legal options you may have. If the crash was caused by another party or parties, you may be entitled to financial compensation for any losses your injuries have caused.