There are several ways in which motor vehicle accidents can occur, but rollovers are one of the deadliest. Even if these accidents are not fatal, they almost always result in serious injuries.
According to data compiled by the Ohio Department of Transportation, 1% of accidents that occur each year involve vehicles overturning. That might not seem like a lot, but rollover accidents represent 31% of the 1,000 deaths that result from car crashes in Ohio each year.
All motorists should understand exactly how rollover vehicle accidents occur in order to reduce the risk of having their lives forever changed by a catastrophic crash.
What Are the Common Types of Rollover Accidents?
There are several types of rollover accidents, which include:
- Lateral force rollovers. These rollovers occur when a vehicle is speeding on a curve and its high center of gravity causes the vehicle to roll over.
- Ramp rollovers. These rollovers occur when one side of a vehicle rolls onto a ramp or object and tips the vehicle over.
- Side slope rollovers. These rollovers occur when a vehicle veers off the roadway accidentally and tips over due to the uneven ground surface.
- Sideway skid rollovers. These rollovers occur when a vehicle’s rear end spins out of control. The vehicle’s tires then collide with a stationary object, which in turn results in a rollover.
While all of these rollover accidents can be the result of driver negligence, they can also be caused by other factors including vehicle defects, poor road conditions, and tire failure.
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How can You Reduce Your Risk of Being Involved in a Rollover Accident?
Regardless of the type of vehicle that you drive, there are some important safety strategies that you can follow to avoid the risk of ending up in a rollover accident. These strategies include the following:
- Check for recalls. Each year, vehicles are recalled for several reasons. Some recalled vehicles are at an increased risk of tipping over. You should stay up to date with potential recalls of your vehicles. If your vehicle is recalled, you should follow the recommended steps.
- Keep your tires maintained. Improperly maintained tires can quickly result in rollover accidents. Examine your tires regularly and replace them when necessary.
- Slow down. Slowing down helps to prevent rollover accidents and lessen the severity of rollover accidents that do occur. You should never feel rushed to reach your destination but instead should take an ample amount of time to reach where you are going.
- Wear seatbelts. Do not start your vehicle until you and all of your passengers are wearing seatbelts.
- Use caution. A large number of rollover accidents due to conditions that arise suddenly on the road. The chances of ending up in one of these accidents can be greatly reduced if you remain cautious while driving. Pay particular attention when driving on rural roads because 75% of all rollover accidents occur on rural roads with speed limits of 55 miles per hour or more.
- Avoid distractions. Keep your eyes on the road at all times. This means eliminating any distractions like smartphones or complicated car infotainment systems that can even momentarily take your attention off of the road.
- Reduce load size. Some rollover accidents result from people attempting to transport too much weight in their vehicles. By reducing load size, you also reduce your chances of ending up in a rollover accident.
How Is Liability Determined in Ohio Rollover Accidents?
While some types of vehicles are more likely to roll over than others, all motor vehicles are designed to remain upright. Vehicles are equipped with several safety features to prevent passengers from being harmed if a rollover does occur. Despite this, sometimes motor vehicle manufacturers are responsible for designing defective vehicles. In these situations, it is possible to pursue legal action against the vehicle manufacturer to obtain compensation for your resulting losses.
Other times, a negligent driver or a government agency might be responsible for causing your rollover accident. Unfortunately, determining liability in rollover accidents is not always easy to do. Establishing liability after a rollover accident requires collecting several types of evidence including police reports, witness statements, and the testimony of accident reconstruction reports.
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Speak with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
The attorneys at Kruger & Hodges understand that rollover accidents often have devastating results. We work tirelessly to fight for the compensation that victims of rollovers and other motor vehicle accidents deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
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