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What Are the Most Common Causes of Rollover Accidents?
Motor vehicle accidents come in many different forms. They may involve one car or multiple vehicles, they may take place at high or low speeds, and they may be caused by multiple factors. Rollover accidents can be some of the most dangerous collisions, and when a vehicle turns over onto its side or roof, the driver or passengers can suffer multiple types of serious injuries. By understanding the reasons why these accidents occur, victims can determine who was responsible, and they may be able to pursue financial compensation for their injuries and damages.
Reasons Why Rollover Crashes Occur
A car, truck, or other vehicle may turn over because of:
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Driver error - Many single-vehicle rollover accidents take place because a driver failed to drive safely. For example, if a driver is traveling much higher than the speed limit, their vehicle may roll over when they attempt to make a tight turn. Drivers may also lose control due to factors such as distracted driving, causing them to strike guardrails or other objects that cause their vehicle to turn over. In addition to causing injuries for the driver, these accidents may result in harm to passengers, or a vehicle may strike other cars, pedestrians, or bicyclists after rolling over.
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Manufacturing defects - Large, top-heavy vehicles such as trucks and SUVs are more likely to roll over, since they have a higher center of gravity and may become imbalanced when going around corners. Accidents may occur if a vehicle was designed defectively and manufacturers failed to address the risks of rollovers. The failure of other auto parts may also lead to rollovers, such as when tires blow out unexpectedly or brakes do not allow a driver to slow down properly when negotiating curves in the road.
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Dangerous roads - A large number of rollover crashes take place when a vehicle leaves the road. The ground on the shoulder of the road is often soft, and when a vehicle’s tires leave the pavement, this significantly increases the chances that it will turn over. In some of these accidents, a vehicle may roll down an embankment or turn over into a ditch. These accidents may occur because roads are too narrow, because pavement to the side of a road is damaged, or because of other obstacles, such as damaged guardrails.
Serious injuries are likely to occur in rollover accidents. Seat belts and other safety systems are designed to provide protection in front-impact, side-impact, or rear-end collisions, but they may not be as effective when a vehicle rolls over. A crushed roof may cause occupants to suffer traumatic brain injuries, or drivers and passengers may be thrown around the interior of a vehicle and suffer bodily injuries when they strike the vehicle’s frame or other objects. If a person is ejected from a vehicle during a rollover, they are five times more likely to suffer fatal injuries.
Contact Our Milwaukee, WI Rollover Accident Attorneys
Rollover crashes are likely to cause multiple types of severe injuries, including brain injuries, spine injuries, broken bones, damage to internal organs, and severe cuts and lacerations. At Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, LLP, we can investigate the circumstances surrounding an accident and determine the causes of a rollover, and we will work with victims to pursue financial compensation from all parties who were responsible. To learn how we can assist with these cases, contact our Milwaukee car accident lawyers at 414-271-1440.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4160669/
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/02/rollover-101/index.htm
https://www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/how-do-rollover-accidents-happen-and-what-causes-them/
