Rollover car accidents are among the most fatal car crashes. In 2010, for example, rollover accidents only accounted for 2.1% of the nearly 9.1 million passenger car, SUV, van, and pickup crashes. But rollovers accounted for 35% of all deaths. That’s more than 7,600 deaths every year from rollover car accidents.
The vehicles most prone to car flip accidents are sport utility vehicles. SUVs have a higher center of gravity than other vehicles, making the physics of the vehicle more susceptible to tipping (this has been the cause of many vehicle recalls, and in particular, Jeep recalls). But many SUVs have poorly designed suspension, bad tires that cause blowouts, or inadequate brakes—all of which can cause a rollover car accident when combined with other factors, like making a turn at high speed, losing control of the vehicle, or poor weather conditions. Unfortunately, because many of these factors are outside a driver’s control, sometimes it is not possible to avoid a rollover accident.
A vehicle that flips creates incredible forces and has multiple impact points, increasing the possibility of injury with each successive rotation of the vehicle. It can also throw people from the vehicle. Common injuries from a rollover car accident are wide-ranging:
These rollover injuries not only produce costly medical bills, but they cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, which can be permanent. It can also produce unsightly scarring.
If you’re involved in a rollover car accident, the first thing you should be concerned about is safety. Use your best judgment. In some cases, it is best to move away from the scene of the rollover crash (if you are in a busy intersection or on a freeway where other vehicles might strike you or your vehicle or if there is gasoline leaking that could ignite), and in other cases, the best course of action is not to move anyone (if you are in a relatively safe spot and there are serious injuries). Call 9-1-1 and get the advice of a trained medical professional.
If you are able to move about safely, and you don’t think your injuries are too severe, gather as much information as you can about the rollover car crash. Photograph the scene from as many angles as you can, capture the weather conditions, the skid marks, the vehicle, and any traffic cameras or other cameras that may be nearby. Collect witness information. Make sure you give your statement to the police officer and that it is incorporated into the police report.
Call a rollover attorney. The rollover attorneys at H&P Law are willing to go to the scene and assist and gather evidence and other important information related to your case. And we do it at no charge to you. Hugs are free, too.
