More on Rollover Accidents
If you own an SUV, minivan, or truck, there is a very real threat that you should be aware of – rollovers. Approximately 280,000 rollover accidents are reported each year with an outstanding 10,000 fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). SUVs are most likely to roll over when a serious accident takes place, and the number one reason for this is because they often carry heavier loads than other vehicles, which make them more top-heavy and more likely to be involved in rollover accidents.
What Are Some Ways to Prevent These Accidents?
- Seatbelts are always important to remember. Never go without! Seatbelts prevent ejection from the vehicle in the event of a rollover. In 2006 alone, nearly 67% of people killed in rollover accidents weren’t wearing a seatbelt at all.
- “Side head curtain airbags” should be equipped in vehicles to prevent occupant head contact with the ground and ejection from vehicle.
- Roof crush should never be an issue. Therefore, vehicle roofs should always be built to resist crushing into the passenger compartment during a rollover event. Roof crush can cause occupant injury or death. According to a 2008 report by IIHS, roof weakness is a contributing factor in deaths and injuries associated with these types of accidents. The U.S. Government actually requires that a roof sustain no more than 5 inches of crush while supporting 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight.
Why Are Rollovers So Dangerous?
- Pickups and SUVs are more prone to rolling over because they have a higher center of gravity than passenger cars.
- They have relatively narrower track widths, which is the distance between right and left tires.
- They are more likely than passenger cars to be driven on rural roads where most rollovers occur.
There is a good chance that, when a rollover crash occurs, you will sustain very serious injuries or possibly even death. The likelihood of death is increased due to the tendency for vehicle occupants to be ejected from their vehicle when it tips.
What is the Rollover Accident Risk Rating System?
You should be aware that trucks and cars, at this time, are not subject to a federal rollover standard. However, the pressure for a standard like this has been growing significantly over the years. The NHTSA has introduced a rollover rating system since 2001, which helps predict what vehicles may have a greater likelihood to overturn in accidents. The rollover ratings are based on an engineering analysis of each vehicle’s center of gravity and the width between the front tires, and then the results are taken and compared with police accident reports for confirmation. Five stars equals a rollover risk of less than 10%, whereas one star indicates a greater than 40% rollover risk.
- The vehicle “trips” over an object, such as a curb, guardrail, or uneven pavement.
- The vehicle turns too quickly or sharply for the speed it is traveling and rolls over.
- The vehicle falls down an embankment.
- The vehicle received a side-impact from another vehicle in a multi-vehicle crash.
- There was driver error, equipment failure, road conditions, and road design involved.
You may sustain very serious injuries in the event of a rollover accident, such as broken bones, amputation, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries. Due to this fact, if one of these accidents occurs, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If negligence from another driver took place, you may be able to receive compensation from things like lost wages or even pain and suffering. Pick up your phone and call MDL today to see where you stand. You can schedule a consultation and have all of your questions answered today!
