Rollover accidents occur when a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), truck, van, pickup truck, or car, flips over on its roof or side. Rollover accidents are the primary cause of death in SUV crashes and the second cause, after only head-on collisions, of vehicle related accident deaths overall. Each year, nearly 10,000 vehicles are involved in fatal rollover crashes. Even when a rollover accident does not result in death, they lead to serious and catastrophic injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rollover accidents are more likely than any other sort of crash to result in fatalities.
Recently, a Brownwood, Mississippi man was killed in a rollover crash. Howard L. Adams, just 23 years old, was driving his Ford SUV when the vehicle left the road and overturned on Interstate 20 near the Toomsuba exit. Adams was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the rolled-over vehicle. He died at the scene of the accident.
Factors Contributing to Rollover Accidents
The following is a list of factors that cause or contribute to rollover accidents:
- Top heavy or unstable vehicles: Vehicles that are tall and have a high center of gravity, such as SUVs, trucks, minivans, vans, and buses, are more likely to be involved in rollover crashes than smaller passenger vehicles or compact cars. The increased height of these tall vehicles makes them less stable and more prone to rollover. Securing objects like luggage, kayaks, or bikes, to the tops of these vehicles will make them even more prone to rollover. Isuzu Troopers, Ford Broncos, and Mitsubishi Monteros have becomes notorious for being involved in serious rollover accidents.
- Jerking of the wheel and “trips:” Many rollovers occur when the driver makes a sudden sharp or jerking of the wheel, or hits a “trip” such as a median, curb, or guardrail. Tripping occurs most often when the vehicle is driving at high speeds and one side of the vehicle hits an object, forcing it to become airborne. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation has found that nearly 95% of all rollovers can be attributed to “tripping.”
- Multiple vehicle accidents: When vehicles, particularly those already prone to rollover as mentioned above, are struck by another vehicle in the side, rollovers can occur. These sorts of accidents account for about 20% of all rollover accidents.
- Speeding and distracted driving: Speeding and driver distraction are common causes of all vehicle related crashes and both contribute to a large number of rollovers. Distracted drivers that take their eyes off the road or even just their minds off the road for a matter of moments can drift from the road, hitting an object, or strike another vehicle. Rollovers will commonly occur in this manner.
- Wet weather: Bad weather conditions create an increased likelihood of car accidents. When a vehicle already prone to rollover skids on a slippery surface, the driver may be forced to correct the wheel and accidentally cause a rollover.
Giddens Law Firm, P.A.: Zealous Representation for All Car Accident Victims
The Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers at Giddens Law Firm, P.A. urge anyone who has been injured in rollover or any other sort of accident to contact us for assistance. Our experienced automobile accident attorneys will examine your crash and determine whether it was caused by the negligence of another. We will then guide you through the legal process to a full recovery. Our case reviews are always free and confidential. Call us today at (601) 355-2022 to see how one of our skilled auto accident attorneys can help you.