Common Causes of Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents can happen in any vehicle, but they are most common in trucks and SUVs, which have a higher center of gravity. Rollover accidents are one of the most serious types of car accidents, and they result in a disproportionate number of severe injuries or death. According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA), only 3% of car accidents involve vehicle rollovers, but they account for 35% of all passenger vehicle fatalities.

If you were injured or someone you love was killed in a rollover accident, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. The personal injury lawyers at McKinney Vos help car accident victims in Austin, Texas, navigate the claims process and pursue the compensation they deserve.

What Is a Rollover Accident?

A rollover accident happens when a vehicle tips over and lands on its side or roof. Most rollover accidents occur on highways where vehicles are traveling at high speeds. If the driver or passengers are ejected from the vehicle, they can suffer severe injuries from striking the ground.

Even when the occupants’ bodies remain inside the vehicle, the chance of suffering a serious injury in a rollover accident is extremely high. When someone is injured or killed in a rollover accident, it is important to identify the causes of the accident so the injured victims can recover the compensation they deserve.

What Is the Most Common Cause of a Rollover Accident?

Rollover accidents happen for many reasons, including poor vehicle design, road conditions, or driver behavior. Common causes of rollover accidents include:

• Vehicle design flaws. Vehicles with a high center of gravity, like some trucks and SUVs, are more likely to become unstable and rollover.
• Tire blowouts. A tire blowout can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and cause a rollover accident.
• Poor road conditions. Wet or uneven surfaces can result in skidding or loss of control, increasing the chances of a rollover accident.
• Travel on rural roads. Almost 75% of fatal rollover accidents happen on rural highways with a speed limit of 55 mph or higher. Some rural roads may lack the safety features of more frequently traveled roads.
• Excessive speed. Speed is often a factor in rollover accidents. When driving at excessive speed, the driver may not be able to safely steer around a curve or avoid an obstacle, increasing the possibility of a rollover accident.
• Sharp turns or maneuvers. A sharp turn or abrupt lane change can destabilize the vehicle and cause a rollover, especially in vehicles with a higher center of gravity like some trucks and SUVs.
• Distracted or impaired driving. Distracted or impaired driving reduces driver reaction time which can increase the likelihood of a rollover accident.
• Collision with an object or another vehicle. A collision with a stationary object or another vehicle can cause a rollover.

What Injuries Are Common in a Rollover Car Accident?

In the most severe cases, a rollover car accident can result in the death of the driver or vehicle occupants. People who survive rollover car accidents may suffer catastrophic injuries, such as neck and back injuries, paralysis, traumatic brain injury, damage to internal organs, burn injuries, and broken bones.

Injuries suffered in a rollover accident often require immediate medical treatment and may require long-term medical care. Someone injured in a rollover car accident may suffer severe, catastrophic injuries and may never be able to return to the life they lived before the accident.

Proving Liability in a Rollover Car Accident

Proving liability in a car rollover accident can be challenging. Other drivers, the vehicle manufacturer, or the entity responsible for maintaining the road could all share responsibility for causing the accident. When a rollover accident causes injuries, you need a personal injury lawyer who will carefully analyze the cause of the crash, identify who was responsible, and fight to hold them accountable for the harm they caused.

Contact the Car Rollover Accident Attorneys at McKinney Vos

If you were injured or someone you love was killed in a rollover car accident, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. The personal injury lawyers at McKinney Vos can analyze your situation, identify the responsible parties, and hold them accountable for the harm they caused. To learn more, contact McKinney Vos today to schedule a confidential appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.