Rollover accidents are definitely among the most deadly of all vehicle accidents, although rollovers are relatively rare. Most rollovers are single car accidents and while any vehicle certainly has the capacity to roll over, it is much more common among vehicles with a high center of gravity. Between three and four percent of car accidents involve a rollover, yet a third of all vehicles which rollover will have at least one fatality. Rollover accidents are centered around how stable a vehicle is during a turn. The distance between the left and right wheels is known as the track width and the relationship between this distance and the vehicle’s center of gravity determines overall stability. Four-wheel drive pickups and sport utility vehicles which sit up high have a much greater chance of a rollover accident since they have much higher ground clearance for off-road driving.
When Rollover Accidents Occur
The majority of rollover accidents are single-vehicle accidents which occur at night on Saturdays and Sundays. Most of the drivers are male, under the age of twenty-five, and drinking alcohol. A full seventy-five percent of rollover fatalities result in the victims being ejected from the vehicle which suggests they were not wearing a safety belt. Although pressure is building for the government to subject cars and trucks to federal rollover standards there are none in place at present. The NHTSA did implement a rollover rating system in 2001. This system consists of a simple five-star system in which an engineering analysis is used to base the rating. Vehicles who receive five stars have a rollover risk of less than ten percent while those vehicles which only receive one star have over a 40 percent increased risk of rollover.
SUV Rollover
SUVs are famous for rollover accidents; rollovers are nearly three times as likely among SUVs than in traditional passenger vehicle. SUV’s are top heavy and more likely in a one-vehicle accident to tip over and roll. Many rollover accidents happen when the driver jerks the wheel sharply to avoid a road hazard or animal or when the driver takes a curve too fast. In some instances even a relatively minor turn of the wheel can result in a rollover. Rollover rates are highest in Ford Explorers followed by three Jeep products—the CJ, Wrangler and the Cherokee. Ford has endured over five hundred lawsuits regarding the Explorer as there are specific defects in the overall design which causes it to tip.
Fifteen Passenger Vans and Likelihood of Rollover
Fifteen passenger vans are popular with schools, churches, community groups and shuttle services but pose a grave threat of rollover when they are heavily loaded. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a consumer advisory regarding these vans nearly every year. While these vans are very convenient, the NHTSA cautions that tire condition should be routinely checked, passengers should always wear safety restraints, drivers should have experience and training and no loads are placed on top of the vehicle. As the number of passengers increase in these vans, the rollover risk also increases. Most of those who died in fifteen passenger rollovers were not buckled up; wearing safety restraints greatly increases the chance of survival in such an accident.
The Complexities of Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents can be very complicated when they reach the litigation stage for those who are involved in such an accident should choose the most experienced attorney who will identify the multiple defendants and ensure victims receive compensation for all medical expenses, damages and lost wages. Your case will be carefully investigated and if necessary accident reconstruction experts, highway safety specialists, engineers and other professionals will be included in the case.