Common Injuries and Factors of Rollover Accidents You Need to Know
There is no such thing as a pleasant car accident. However, some types are better than others. From head-on collisions to being rear-ended, there are many different types of accidents that can cause injury, but one of the most deadly types is the rollover accident.
Rolling the Dice on Injury
Rollover accidents occur when the force of a collision causes a car’s center of gravity to ship, tipping over the vehicle. The force of the collision doesn’t just bump the car onto its side, but causes the car to roll until the momentum has subsided. In some cases, a rollover can cause a car to complete several revolutions before it settles, inflicting a tremendous amount of suffering on the passengers inside.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rollovers have a higher rate of fatality than any other type of collision. Consequently, they cause about one-fifth of all traffic fatalities and a significant number of severe injuries.
Due to multiple impact forces, passengers secured inside a rollover vehicle can suffer lacerations, broken bones, internal injuries, brain and spinal cord damage, or even death. In addition, if anyone in the car is not wearing a seat belt, the sheer force of the rollover can toss them around the vehicle like a rag doll, or even throw them from the vehicle.
Rollover Causes
Rollover accidents usually occur one of four ways:
- Hitting a low obstacle. Just as people can trip and fall over small obstacle, if a car hits an immovable object with enough force, it can cause the car to flip and roll.
- Swerving. If a driver begins to veer off the road or sees a hazard, he may swerve at too sharp of an angle. As a result, the car’s center of gravity becomes imbalanced, and the force of the curve can push the car over.
- Speeding in a curve. When a sharp turn is taken too quickly (55 mph or more), just as with a swerve, the sudden curve can cause the vehicle’s center of gravity to be thrown off and force the car to tip over and begin rolling.
- Colliding with another vehicle. Rollovers may also occur when a car is hit from the side or at an angle, causing the vehicle to flip over. This is especially common on rural roads where there are no medians or barriers to prevent the car from flipping.
Settling Upright
In order to ensure you and your passengers are safe during and after a rollover accident, be sure to…
- Take turns slowly and carefully.
- Verify that all occupants wearing their seat belts at all times.
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney.
The team at Steven M. Lee P.C. has over 30 years experience helping car accident victims get the compensation they need for their injuries. Pick up the phone or click the Live Chat link now to see how we can help you turn your rollover accident around.