What contributes to rollover accidents?

A rollover accident can be absolutely deadly — no matter what type of vehicle you are in. Trauma is literally inflicted from all sides until the vehicle comes to a final stop. The more the vehicle rolls, the greater the likelihood of serious injury or death to the occupants.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollovers are seldom the result of just one thing. Instead, they’re caused by a complex set of issues that, unfortunately, converge all at once.

Here are the major factors that can be involved in a rollover accident:

1. Your vehicle — Some vehicles are more prone to rollovers than others because of the way they are built. Taller vehicles, like Jeeps and sports utility vehicles, are prone to rollovers because they have a higher center of gravity. That makes it harder to avoid a rollover even in a single-car crash.
2. Drunk driving – Almost 50% of rollover accidents involve drinking. Any amount of alcohol in the driver’s system can cause problems with concentration, reaction times and vision — making rollovers more likely.
3. Poor practices — Over 90% of rollovers that are single-vehicle accidents occur while a driver is doing something routine, like just rounding a curve. This suggests that many drivers end up causing rollovers because they’re distracted, taking the road too quickly or otherwise engaging in poor driving habits.
4. Speeding — About 40% of rollover fatalities are the result of speeding. In some cases, drivers may be under the posted speed limit but fail to adjust for weather or road conditions — such as sharp curves or wet roads — that contribute to rollover accidents.

One thing is for certain: It can be difficult to understand who is really at fault when a rollover happens. Even poor road construction can contribute to the problem. Vehicle manufacturers might also be liable for design flaws that make certain vehicles less safe than others. Other drivers may even play a part in causing a rollover. For solid advice on what rights you may have to compensation for your losses following a rollover accident, seek legal representation.