Rollover Car Crashes
A rollover crash occurred on the access road near West Military Drive and Highway 90 last month. The driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle and went into a ditch. When the SUV flipped, the driver was thrown from the car and killed. The passenger, the driver’s girlfriend, was sleeping during the drive and is recovering from her injuries.
Rollover Crashes
Rollover accidents that include one or more vehicles are a serious problem on roads across the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, rollover crashes have a higher risk of fatalities than any other type of crash. These types of crashes account for one-third of all car accident deaths. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported 6,863 people died in rollover crashes in 2014, and 28 percent of these accidents didn’t involve another impact.
Rollover crashes tend to occur with taller and narrower vehicles like trucks, vans, and SUVs. They have a higher center of gravity and the forces exerted on these vehicles during turns can drastically affect the vehicles’ balance. However, most vehicles rollover when they hit by another vehicle or come into contact with an obstacle like a curb or pothole that throws the car’s balance off and causes it to roll.
Preventing Rollover Crashes
If a person is in a multi-vehicle accident, he or she may not be able to prevent a vehicle rollover. However, there are things a driver can do to prevent a single-vehicle rollover, including:
- Driving within the posted speed limit;
- Slowing down during bad weather like rain and snow;
- Slowing down on curves and turns;
- Checking the tire pressure on a regular basis and before long trips;
- Keeping the brakes in good condition;
- Not overloading the vehicle, particularly rooftop carriers;
- Taking “slosh” of liquids into account when transporting a large quantity of a liquid;
- Keeping both hands on the steering wheel; and
- Not using a cell phone or participating in other distractions.
It is also crucial to not drive after drinking or taking drugs. Impaired driving greatly increases the risk of a driver error, which is a leading cause of rollover accidents. Avoiding drowsy driving is another step drivers can take to avoid this type of crash.
Call a Texas Car Accident Lawyer for Help
If you were involved in a rollover crash and suffered injuries because of someone else’s actions, you may have the right to recover damages. Drivers have a duty to their passengers and other people on the roads to drive safely and avoid accidents. If someone was negligent in how he or she drove and the negligent actions led to your being hurt, then that person can be held responsible. Contact the experienced New Braunfels personal injury lawyers of The Bettersworth Law Firm to learn your rights after an accident.
Sources:
http://www.safercar.gov/Rollover
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/passenger-vehicles#Rollover
