A car rollover accident occurs when the vehicle flips over to its side or onto its roof. Although any type of car may rollover but this kind of accident usually occurs in vehicles that have high center of gravity. Examples of these include SUVs and pickup trucks. During a rollover, the people inside the vehicle have high tendency to be ejected. As a consequence, they become at risk of having broken bones, injuries in the brain, spinal cord, chest, neck and head. They may also have internal injuries and suffer from amputation. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in the United States alone there are about 10,000 deaths that occur every year from car rollover accidents. But, what really causes these kinds of accidents? Read on for more information.
Tire issues
Not all car rollover accidents are caused by drivers themselves. F. Braxton Terry of The Terry Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys says that a lot of rollover accidents are also caused by defective parts that were installed in a vehicle. For example, tire defects and tire failures can also contribute to the possibility of a car rollover accident. When tires are not inflated properly it reduces the driver’s ability to control the vehicle. These poorly inflated tires not only wear out quickly. They can also grow hotter which leads to tire failure. This occurrence can cause the driver to become panicky when driving thereby increasing the risk for a car rollover accident.
Using worn tires can also spell danger to the car and its passengers. This is because worn tires do not connect well with the road and the car may start to slide sideways. This is more likely to happen if the road is wet or slippery. The sliding motion itself can already cause the car to rollover.
Aggressive driving
Aggressive driving is often characterized by risky maneuvers such as swerving while at a very high speed and taking wreckless turns. These quick maneuvers can lead to friction between the road surface and the tires which will then cause the car to tip to its side and eventually flip over. This is a common occurrence for trucks, vans and other vehicles that have been heavily loaded.
Overcorrection
Overcorrection often occurs as a result of driving under the influence, negligence and distracted driving. Falling asleep or using the phone while driving can increase the risk for committing an overcorrection. In some cases, the driver makes sudden movement to the steering wheel as a way of over correcting after finding out that he’s driving on the wrong lane. Overcorrection also occurs when a driver notices an obstruction on the road or when he needs to avoid colliding with another vehicle.
Although the type of vehicle is one risk factor for rollover accidents, such type of accident is also a reflection of the interaction that takes place between the driver, his vehicle, the road and the environment. Rollover accidents can be prevented. Avoid the three causes mentioned above and you will significantly lessen your risk for vehicular accidents.
