The Dangers of Rollovers by the Numbers

Vehicle rollovers are among the worst things that can happen during an accident. While everyone is aware that SUVs and vans are more prone to rollovers, even passenger sedans are not immune. Under the “right” circumstances, any car faces a rollover threat.

In taller vehicles like SUVS and vans, avoidance steering can cause a rollover accident. In some cases, however, rollovers are the result of a combination of trying to avoid animals on a highway, being hit from the side in a collision or some other type of failure of a vehicle to navigate a particular space in the roadway. In other cases, a tire blow-out can lead to a chain of events which can cause a vehicle to flip over.

How dangerous are they?

Rollovers are dangerous because they instantly compromise the engineered safety systems in a vehicle, which means that all of the data gathered from crash tests and the like becomes unusable in many ways. Crash tests are rigorous. They measure every angle of impact on nearly every surface of the vehicle with one exception; crash tests are not performed on upside down vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a report in 2002 called Characteristics of Fatal Rollover Crashes. The report contains shocking information about vehicle rollovers, namely:

• Rollover crashes constitute about 20% of all fatal accidents
• Nearly 75% of occupants killed in rollovers were not using restraints
  • Of those not wearing restraints, almost 66% were completely ejected from the vehicle
• Most fatal rollovers are single vehicle crashes
• Rollover crashes are more likely to result in fatalities than other types of crashes

The NHTSA report also found that nearly 40% of fatal rollovers involved excessive speeds. Almost 75% of fatal rollovers occurred in areas where the posted speed limit was 55mph or above.

How to prevent a rollover

Make sure that you know how the vehicle you’re operating handles in different conditions and at different speeds. Every vehicle is different. Make sure that you are alert and well rested on the road, and keep distractions to a minimum. Overcorrection can also lead to a rollover accident. If something goes wrong, guide the vehicle as best you can and let it come to a natural stop when possible.

South Carolina car accident attorneys McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC know that deciding what to after a serious car accident can be very confusing. Our experienced auto accident lawyers in South Carolina know how to handle complicated car accidents. We know you have questions, and we can help you get the answers and the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.