Causes Of Rollover Accidents
Have you been involved in a rollover accident and wonder what caused it? There are many potential causes of rollover accidents and if you drive an SUV, minivan or truck, your risk of being involved in such an accident is high. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 280,000 rollover crashes each year in the United States, which claim the lives of over 10,000 people annually. If you have been injured in a rollover crash, you need to understand what factors could have triggered the vehicle to rollover. Even if you have not been in a rollover accident, you should still be familiar with the causes of these accidents so you can avoid injuries.
Why do Vehicles Rollover?
Even though all cars have the potential for rollovers, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), truck and minivans are especially prone to these types of accidents. Rollovers are linked to a vehicle’s stability in turns. That stability is affected by the relationship between the center of gravity and the track width, which is the distance between the left and right wheels. A high center of gravity, which is associated with SUVs and pickup trucks, can make the vehicle unstable in sharp turns and increases the probability of the vehicle tipping over. Most rollovers occur once the vehicle has veered off the road and is usually prompted by the driver losing control.
Rollover accidents are often the result of the driver’s actions. For example, if you are driving an SUV and turn the wheel sharply to avoid hitting another car, your vehicle has the potential to rollover. Also, excessive speed has been linked to many rollover crashes around the country. According to recent research, almost two-thirds of rollovers happen when the vehicle is traveling over 55 miles per hour or higher.
Sometimes auto defects are to blame for serious injuries resulting from rollover accidents, such as weak roofs and safety restraint system failures. It is important to stay updated on the latest auto recalls to protect yourself. You can visit the Office of Defects Investigations’ website for information on the latest auto recalls.
What if I was Injured in a Rollover Accident?
The majority of rollovers are single vehicle accidents. However, accidents can be caused by another driver who was negligent or by a defective vehicle. If you were injured in a car accident in Florida that resulted in your vehicle rolling over, contact David Benenfeld for expert advice regarding your case. Mr. Benenfeld is an experienced Florida car accident lawyer who can review your case to determine who was at fault and if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call 954-677-0155 today.
