Vehicle rollover crashes are among the most dangerous and terrifying occurrences on the road. Rollover accidents can cause serious injuries to those involved. In some cases, they are single-vehicle crashes caused by certain types of vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks. In other cases, a rollover accident may be caused by another driver’s careless or negligent driving behavior.
The steps you take after a rollover accident can help you stand up to the insurance company and its litigators as they cast blame upon you. You won’t want to proceed without a legal advocate who will not rest until they provide justice after your accident.
Azizi Law Firm represents injured victims in rollover accidents. In this blog post, we discuss how rollover crashes occur, identify the risks, provide tips on how to reduce SUV rollover risks, and explain what to do when a rollover occurs.
5 Risk Factors for Vehicle Rollovers
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollover accidents are caused by a variety of factors. While some of these factors, such as driver error, are present in non-rollover crashes, there may be other factors that can contribute to a rollover.
The IIHS reported that 6,700 individuals were killed in rollover accidents in 2023. Nearly 1 out of 4 of these rollover accidents (23%) were unrelated to an impact.
Rollover Risk Factor #1: Driver Behavior
The behavior of the driver and how they operate the vehicle can influence the risk of a rollover. If a driver isn’t paying attention to the road and instead is distracted, such as by texting, they are at a greater risk.
Similarly, if a driver is intoxicated, they may have an increased risk of rollovers. Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of injuries and death in a crash, especially when that crash results in a rollover.
Rollover Risk Factor #2: Vehicle’s Center of Gravity
Vehicles that have a high center of gravity are much more likely to roll over in an auto wreck than vehicles with a low center of gravity. For instance, SUVs have a significant rollover risk because of their higher center and more ground clearance. This means drivers in these vehicles must be more prudent behind the wheel to avoid an SUV rollover accident.
In fact, according to 2023 statistics from the IIHS, SUVs and pickup trucks were associated with the highest percentage of rollover fatalities. While rollover crashes in cars correlated to 21% of deaths, SUVs accounted for 34% of rollover deaths. Pickup trucks had the highest number of deaths related to rollovers, representing 38% of rollover fatalities.
Rollover Risk Factor #3: Sudden Maneuvers
Making sudden maneuvers or “panic maneuvers” behind the wheel is a common reason for single-vehicle crashes. Whether an obstacle has suddenly appeared or a driver was distracted, there is an elevated risk of rollovers.
Rollover Risk Factor #4: High Speeds
Speeding on roads with sharp turns or ramps, as well as excessive speeds when driving in wet conditions, is another reason for rollover accidents. Drivers must slow down when there is a sharp turn to reduce the risk of a rollover. All drivers – regardless of vehicle type – should also slow down when navigating in wet conditions.
Rollover Risk Factor #5: Overinflated Tires
No matter the vehicle type, tire condition and pressure are crucial to safety. When tires are overinflated, especially on SUVs, it can make it harder for the tires to grip the road. Coupled with tight turns, this can result in rollovers.
Vehicles With the Highest Rollover Risk
When purchasing a car, consider a rollover risk assessment. Passenger cars are much less likely to rollover, as their center of gravity is lower; however, they can still be flipped in a crash with another vehicle. When a passenger vehicle tips over, the vehicle occupants can be in danger of serious injury.
SUVs and Pickup Trucks
SUV rollovers and rollovers involving pickup trucks are much more common compared to passenger vehicles.
Consumer Reports noted that older models of the Ford Explorer were prone to rollover crashes. Frontline interviewed Brian O’Neill of the IIHS about the rollover risk of these older Ford Explorer models, which was thought to be caused by tire separation.
O’Neill noted that SUVs also have a stability issue, leading to a greater risk of rollovers. In the interview, he stated: “One of the problems with this fight that’s going on is that the attention is diverted away from the fact that SUVs, as a group, have a stability problem. The people who are driving these vehicles need to be concerned about rollover risk with or without tire problems.”
Vans and Minivans
Another vehicle that is more likely to experience a rollover wreck is a van. Both vans and minivans seat more passengers and have the potential for uneven weight distribution. The driver of any type of vehicle that is loaded with passengers or cargo should pay attention to distributing the weight to prevent causing vehicle tipovers when taking turns or making sudden adjustments to road conditions.
Safety Tips to Reduce the Risk of a Rollover Accident
Every driver should keep in mind some of the best practices for reducing the risk of rollover accidents.
- Utilize the safety systems in your vehicle. Electronic stability control and side curtain airbags are excellent features, especially in SUVs. Along with the use of seat belts, they can reduce injuries in rollovers.
- Obey traffic laws by following the speed limit, exercising caution and good judgment while making turns, and paying attention at all times.
- Avoid sudden maneuvers by watching for slowing traffic, big curves, and potential obstacles.
- Always check your tire pressure, ensuring that your tires are properly inflated.
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Rollover Crash
Whether in off-road conditions, city streets, or highways, rollovers can result in major injuries. If you ever find yourself in this situation, here is what you should do:
Call the Police
When a rollover happens, it is essential to contact the police. You will need help moving your vehicle from the road. You’ll also need a police report to be filed with your insurance claim. If another person caused your accident, you will want this evidence to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses and other financial losses.
Get Medical Treatment Immediately
When SUVs roll over, they tend to cause significant injuries. Don’t assume that you are fine. Many injuries have no immediate symptoms such as traumatic brain injuries and internal organ damage. You should always insist upon a prompt medical evaluation, and if injuries are found, you will have medical records proving that you incurred them in the rollover.
Preserve Evidence
When SUVs and other vehicles get into a rollover accident, evidence is essential for proving what happened. If it is possible in your condition, take photos and videos of the accident scene. Be sure to document the positioning of the vehicles and all property damage. You should also take photos of any visible injuries.
Witnesses can be an asset in these types of accidents as they might have observed the events leading up to the crash. Perhaps another vehicle cut yours off, causing you to lose control and flip. They can help fill in the blanks and provide essential testimony in your case.
Contact Your Auto Insurance Provider
California uses an at-fault insurance system, meaning that the person who caused the crash will be responsible for paying damages. Even if you did not cause your vehicle to roll over, you will still need to alert your auto insurance company of the accident.
Chances are high that the other driver will try to blame you and make a third-party claim on your policy. The added stress that you experience from trying to navigate the process, along with your injuries, makes the next step after a rollover the most important one to take — get a lawyer.
Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer
When SUVs or any other vehicles are involved in a rollover wreck, you need the expertise of a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles. California’s pure comparative negligence rule may mean that you are partially blamed for the accident.
While this will still allow you to claim compensation even if you are up to 99% at fault, insurance companies are notorious for trying to put as much blame as possible on the victims because they only care about their profits, not your best interests. This helps justify their payout reduction on the claims.
For many victims in a rollover accident, injuries are serious and often require immediate transport to the hospital via ambulance, making it impossible to get evidence from the scene. Hire a car accident attorney, and you can have full confidence that someone with extensive legal experience is looking out for your best interests.
Attorneys have the resources needed to track down traffic camera footage and footage from surveillance cameras at nearby businesses. They can also speak with the witnesses listed in the crash report for their testimony. An experienced attorney can hire experts, including accident reconstructionists who can show how the accident was caused and medical experts who can explain how your injuries happened.
Understand Your Legal Rights After a Rollover Accident
After any kind of accident, especially a rollover crash, it is important to not only know your legal rights but also protect them. If another person caused this to happen because of their negligent behavior, you have the right to recover compensation for the financial losses you’ve incurred as a result.
Azizi Law Firm works to protect the rights of victims who have been thrust into these circumstances. When you have sustained serious injuries in a rollover accident, it is best to get the legal representation you need. Our attorneys will take over every aspect of the case, allowing you to heal and leave your stress behind. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your car accident.
