Rollovers occur when a vehicle flips in a violent nature. A rollover is among the worst accidents and many times this type of accident results in the ejection of the passengers, which usually results in death. According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), rollover crashes constitute about 1/5th of all fatal crashes.
Types of Rollover Accidents
There are 2 types of rollover accidents, namely; tripped rollover and untripped rollover.
- Tripped; This type of accident happens as a result of a force which causes the car to start rolling as you try to maneuver. For instance, you may try to avoid an oncoming car, and then veer off the road onto soft ground. Your car may then start rolling as you try to maneuver to get back on the road; the car tires dig into the soft ground, which then supplies the tripping point, initiating the roll.
- Untripped; This happens when the top of your car is way too heavy, and a roll starts when you steer dramatically so as to avoid an object or an accident.
Although many modern automobiles are designed to reduce the chances of a rollover during a car crash, certain collisions, poorly balanced loads, and skidding traction make the rollover accidents possible in almost any type of vehicle, especially the top heavy models like vans, trucks, SUVs, and pickups.
Because of the severity of the consequences, it’s important for you to do everything you can, so as to prevent the likelihood of a rollover accident. When you take into account that about 80% of the rollover crashes are single car crashes, it’s usually within your control to prevent these accidents. Here are some tips to help you avoid a rollover crash;
- Never overload your car. When the weight of a car increases, its’ stability decreases, more so with pickups and SUVs which are already at a much higher risk of flipping over. Always make sure you stay within your car manufacturer’s load ratings, and to always put the heavy cargo close to the center and low to the floor.
- Do not speed. This goes without saying, at higher speeds, the chances of rolling over during a collision increases. As a matter of fact, fact, about 40% of the fatal rollover crashes involve excessive speeding.
- Do not drink and drive. Intoxication can make even the best of drivers, very careless. In fact, more than 1/2 of fatal rollover accidents involve at least 1 drunk driver.
- Always respect the road conditions. Road conditions can cause the vehicle to rollover. Wet, snowy or icy roads are usually slick and can make the driver lose control, resulting in a rollover. Debris on the roadway can also lead to rollover accidents when a driver swerves suddenly to avoid an obstacle. When roads are wet, or snowy, slow down and then drive with great caution so as to avoid an accident.
- Avoid distractions. Many rollover accidents usually occur when a driver turns the steering wheel too fast trying to avoid an object or an accident. Do not text, fix the radio, eat or apply make up while driving. Pay attention to the road, and do not drive distracted. (If using your phone is an absolute must, you can use accessories which allow you to keep both of your hands on the wheel).
- Do not panic or over-compensate when steering. When a driver panics over a really close call, he/she usually over-corrects. This sort of steering can make you lose control, resulting in a rollover accident, especially when driving at high speeds.
Sadly though, even if you are the safest and most cautious of drivers on the planet, you could still be faced with this terrifying situation. If you or your loved one has been injured in a rollover accident, due to someone else’s recklessness, you need the services of an automobile accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.
