Rollover car accidents are uncommon but can be dangerous and deadly. They happen when a vehicle tips onto its roof or side when two or more wheels rise from the ground. It can involve one or more cars, which might roll once or several times before stopping.
Here are common reasons these accidents occur:
- Crashes: If the force from another vehicle in a motor vehicle accident is strong enough, one or both vehicles could roll over.
- Poor weather conditions: Slippery road conditions make losing control of a vehicle easier. Cars can skid and roll over when roads are covered in snow, ice, or rain.
- Speeding: If a driver takes a turn too fast or speeds around a curve, the tires can lose their grip as the vehicle’s weight shifts to one side.
- Tripping: This happens when a tire hits a pothole, curb, or debris. As with speeding around curves, the vehicle’s weight can shift, causing a rollover accident before balance is regained.
- Defective vehicles and parts: Flawed designs and defective components can cause or worsen rollover crashes.
What Are the Risk Factors for Rollovers?
Consumer Reports claims that three percent of motor vehicle accidents are rollovers, but they cause 30 percent of car accident fatalities.
Speeding is often a contributing factor for rollovers, with younger men having the highest incidences of these crashes. Some happen when one vehicle strikes another or an object, like an embankment. In addition, vehicles that are passing are more apt to roll over than ones that are turning before a crash. Other factors that contribute to rollovers include defective parts like tires and vehicle weight.
Common Rollover Accident Injuries
Perhaps the most common rollover accident is broken bones. Vehicles crumple when rolling over, caving in the frame, and crushing the side panels. Those inside are thrown against the interior, leading to bone breaks and fractures in different body parts, including the face.
Rollover accidents also cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These can happen because a driver or passenger’s head can hit the roof or bounce around violently as the vehicle turns. The brain can move awkwardly inside the skull, causing concussions, skull fractures, and other TBIs.
Spinal cord injuries can result from rollovers, as the body is moved around and crushed; even when seat belts are worn, the crushing force might significantly pressure that part of the part of the body. In worst-case scenarios, there can be permanent injuries or paralysis.
Our Chester County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Represent Clients Injured in Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are some of the most traumatic crashes, leading to life-threatening injuries. If you need legal help after a rollover accident, contact our knowledgeable Chester County car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Complete our online form or call 610-565-3701 to schedule a consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.