Vehicle Rollover Accidents: Why You Need to Take Them Seriously
A rollover accident involves a vehicle rolling onto either its side or onto its roof. Typically this involves outside forces, including curbs or other moving vehicles. However, a vehicle rollover accident can also be caused by wet roads, steering function failure, excessive speed or a lack of friction on the road you are driving on.
The lawyers of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC based in Salt Lake City are especially attuned to these kinds of accidents given the amount of harm they can cause. This is why our lawyers are regularly sought our following major car accidents and injury collisions. We'd like to use this opportunity to go over the basics of rollover accidents right now.
Vehicles at Risk for a Rollover Accident
All vehicles are vulnerable to a rollover vehicle if precautions are not taken while operating a moving vehicle. Typically, vehicles with a higher center of gravity are at higher risk for a rollover accident, especially when the driver is operating the vehicle recklessly in dangerous conditions. SUVs and consumer trucks are especially prone for rollover accidents.
Difficulty Vacating Vehicle After an Accident
If you are in a rollover accident, you may find it difficult to exit your vehicle, especially if your rollover accident causes your vehicle to land on its roof. Many forms of public transportation, such as buses or trains, are equipped with special doors that can be opened in the event of an emergency. However, if you are in a consumer vehicle, you may need to assistance of special tools to assist with your exit.
In dire situations, the roof of your vehicle may collapse from the rollover, resulting in severe and sometimes fatal injuries.
How to Avoid or Survive a Rollover Accident
Although there are a number of factors that may cause a rollover accident, there are precautions you can take to decrease the likelihood of experiencing a rollover accident. Here are a few pointers to get you started:
- Look for a vehicle with a low center of gravity - Pickup trucks and SUVs are especially prone for rollover accidents. However, an Internet search can be a great starting point for identifying the safest vehicle for your needs.
- Buckle up - Even if you have a vehicle with a low center of gravity, ensure that all passengers have their seatbelts buckled before beginning your trip. In the event of a rollover accident, your seatbelts will prevent you from experiencing any unnecessary injuries.
- Take special precaution when making sharp turns - Often times, there will be road signs that will indicate a potentially dangerous turn. Especially in bad weather, be sure to take these warnings seriously.
- Check the air pressure in all four of your tires - Uneven air distribution may cause your vehicle to sway unnecessarily, put you at additional risk of a rollover accident, regardless of the vehicle’s center of gravity.
- Be generally cautious while driving - Avoid tailgating and abide by the speed limits of the road you are on. These common practices are a great way to avoid finding yourself not only in a rollover accident, but any motor vehicle accident at all.
Speak with Our Personal Injury Attorneys
If you or someone that you care about have been involved in a serious rollover accident, be sure to contact our personal injury attorneys today. The entire team at our firm will help you in your time of legal need.