Rollover accidents are extremely dangerous and pose a high risk of death for the passengers and drivers of vehicles. Rollovers account for only 1% of motor vehicle accidents but 1/3 of motor vehicle fatalities.
Dangers of Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof during a crash. Occupants of a vehicle are frequently partially or completely ejected from the vehicle during a rollover. Occupants who are not wearing seatbelts are especially prone to serious injury. In some instances, rollover accidents can result in the roof of the vehicle being crushed. All vehicles are required to have strong roofs to prevent cave-in, but this is not always enough.
Types of Rollovers
A number of different factors can lead to a rollover accident. The most common types of rollover accidents include:
- Turns—when a vehicle is traveling at a high rate of speed and makes a sharp turn, it can lose its grip and roll or flip over
- Ramps—when one side of a vehicle goes up an incline it may cause the vehicle to roll over
- Skids—when a vehicle loses traction due to a wet or icy road, it can lead to a rollover
- Spins—when a vehicle hits a solid object it can spin out and roll over
Why do Rollover Accidents Happen?
Rollover accidents may be caused by driver negligence. Aggressive driving and collisions at high rates of speed can cause a vehicle to flip over. However, rollovers can also be caused by vehicle defects, design flaws, and dangerous roadway conditions. Some causes of rollover accidents include:
- Defective tires—the sudden failure of a tire can cause a vehicle to lose control and rollover
- High center of gravity—some vehicles have a design flaw that leads to the vehicle’s center of gravity being too high. This most frequently happens with SUVs. A driver in an SUV may make a sharp turn and the vehicle could rollover. Our firm has successfully litigated cases involving rollover due to high center of gravity.
- Defective suspension—the suspension of a vehicle is used to stabilize the vehicle. If the suspension fails, the vehicle can go out of control and rollover
- Dangerous roadway conditions—uneven pavement, improper signage, and neglected maintenance can all lead to a rollover accident.
Contact an Experienced New York Attorney
If you or someone you love has been injured in a rollover, you should have an experienced personal injury attorney evaluate your case. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have over 50 years of experience helping injured New Yorkers. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.