Rollover accidents can result in some significant injuries, and a much higher likelihood of fatalities. These can be single-vehicle or multi-vehicle accidents, with a wide range of causes.
Here are a few examples of some of the factors that are most likely to lead to rollover accidents.
- Speed: Speed is among the most common factors in rollover accidents. Approximately 40 percent of these crashes will involve vehicles traveling at speeds exceeding the posted limit, and nearly 75 percent of fatal rollover accidents involved areas where the posted speed limit was at least 55 miles per hour.
- Alcohol: Approximately half of fatal rollover crashes involved drivers under the influence of alcohol. While the legal limit is .08, impairment can still occur in drivers who are under that legal limit, as small amounts of alcohol can affect vision, coordination and judgment that can impair driving.
- Type of vehicle: Vehicles that are taller and narrower, such as vans, SUVs and pickups, are more likely to roll over because they have higher centers of gravity than smaller sedans, which are lower to the ground.
- Location: Rural roads are more likely to be the scenes of a rollover accident, especially areas without barriers or divisions in the road. Nearly 75 percent of fatal rollover accidents occur in rural areas with posted speed limits of 55 miles per hour or more. In addition, rollovers often happen in areas with curves or bends in the road, when people attempt to navigate them at too high of speeds.
- Single vehicle accidents: Rollover accidents are more likely to occur in single vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 85 percent of all rollover deaths occur in single-vehicle crashes.
These are just a few examples of some common causes of rollover accidents. For more information, contact a trusted Bradenton, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.