Any type of auto accident can be devastating, especially if you have a newer or more premium model of vehicle. Here, even a minor fender bender can have a cascade of unforeseen consequences. However, one type of car accident can send a shiver of dread through any driver—rollover accidents. They’re frightening, disorienting, and are quite often catastrophic.
While no one wants to be involved in a rollover accident, the unfortunate reality is they can and will occur. Navigating the trauma of rollover collisions can be overwhelming, but following a few simple steps can help make dealing with them and navigating them a little easier.
The rollover is often caused by taking corners and tight turns at a high rate of speed. For a clearer understanding, refer to this truck accidents visual graphic. Since most vehicle sides and roofs are not designed to withstand the hard impact, serious injuries commonly occur.
How common are rollover accidents? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollovers make up 3% of accidents involving passenger vehicles. This percentage may seem low, compared to other accident statistics. However, considering the severity of the property damage and personal injuries, even a figure like three percent is too high.
Due to the severity of rollover accidents, it’s not surprising that injuries are often serious and potentially life-threatening.
Some of the common injuries drivers and passengers suffer often include:
Drivers and passengers may also be thrown from the vehicle during the rollover, which can result in life-threatening injuries or even fatalities. Wearing a seatbelt can minimize your risk for serious injuries, but it can’t prevent all.
Rollover accidents are often placed in one of three categories. These are tripped, untripped, and accidents caused by vehicle defects.
A tripped rollover accident happens when something ‘trips’ your vehicle, which can be hitting the side of a curb or a pothole, just to name a few examples.
The force from hitting the obstacle can cause your vehicle to roll over. This type of accident can involve one or more vehicles. Typically, additional vehicles are only involved when the rollover sends your car crashing into other vehicles.
Untripped rollover accidents are more common with top-heavy vehicles. Think of high-end SUVs and trucks. The rollover is often caused by taking corners and tight turns at a high rate of speed.
The combination of speed and turning causes the vehicle to become unbalanced, resulting in it tipping or rolling over. This type of rollover typically only involves a single vehicle. However, it can turn into a multi-car pileup if other vehicles cannot avoid the accident.
Auto manufacturers conduct hundreds of tests to ensure vehicle safety, but defects can still occur. A tire unexpectedly coming loose can cause a driver to lose control. Furthermore, faulty brakes and steering can also cause a vehicle to roll over.
Defective hitches on semi and pickup trucks can cause the vehicle to become unbalanced, resulting in a rollover accident.
Even though the auto industry performs hundreds of hours of safety tests on their vehicles, before releasing them to the public, design flaws can still occur.
Seatbelts can fail to latch securely, increasing your risk of being thrown from the vehicle. Some vehicle roofs are less sturdy than other parts of the car, which can lead to the roof being crushed during the rollover. Door locks can suddenly pop open due to the force of the impact. This issue is more common in side-impact collisions but can happen at any time.
Some vehicles come with electronic stability control features. If the technology fails, it can cause the vehicle to roll over. This can especially be a problem when you take corners and turns at a high rate of speed.
Hopefully, you do not become part of the three percent of drivers who are involved in a rollover accident. If it does happen to you, there are some steps you should take to help ensure everyone’s safety.
Before getting out of the vehicle, take a minute to assess any injuries, which include yourself and any passengers in your vehicle. This is also a good time to assess your position. For example, is the vehicle on its side or resting on the roof?
Sometimes, it’s impossible to safely exit the vehicle without assistance. But in other instances, the car may be lying on the door, or your injuries are too severe to move, and in this case, it’s best to wait for help.
If you can safely exit the vehicle, make sure you look around before opening a door or climbing out of a window. After all, you don’t want to land in traffic or on uneven ground.
Chances are, if there are witnesses to the accident, the authorities are on their way. Most modern vehicles also come equipped with technology that automatically alerts the authorities when it senses the vehicle has been involved in an accident.
Staying calm is difficult in this type of situation, but it is necessary. Panicking will not help the situation and can make it worse. Staying calm will also help you keep the series of events leading up to the rollover accident straight in your head. You will need to provide the details to the authorities and your insurance company.
You probably will not feel like talking to others initially, but gathering information and evidence can help further your personal injury case. If your injuries do not prevent you from getting contact information from witnesses and the other driver, go ahead and get the details. Don’t worry if you can’t, though, since the information will ultimately be included in your Kentucky car accident reports.
Before you talk to the insurance company, contact an attorney. Your attorney will help protect your legal rights and ensure you receive full compensation.
Just remember: don’t wait too long to talk to a lawyer since most states have deadlines on personal injury claims.
