Rollovers account for roughly 2% of all automobile accidents, yet they are responsible for nearly 33% of all accident fatalities. This makes them the most dangerous type of accident for motorists to experience.
Causes of Rollover Accidents
All vehicles have the potential to rollover, however, there are some factors that can increase the risk of a rollover accident. Vehicles with a higher center of gravity and a narrow axle track such as SUV’s and vans can rollover easier than passenger vehicles.
Other factors that can lead to a rollover include the sensitivity of the steering mechanism, mechanical failure, and driver caused factors such as excessive speed and improper maneuvering.
Data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that factors such as vehicle maintenance, road conditions, and speed are significant determining factors that can lead to a rollover crash.
Risk by Vehicle Type
Those at greatest risk are drivers and occupants of light trucks. These are followed by those within pickup trucks, vans, and passenger vehicles, respectively.
Roof Rules Strengthened to Protect Motorists
Crushing is a leading cause of severe injuries to vehicle occupants involved in a rollover crash. It is estimated that crushing causes between 600 to 900 fatalities per year.
For this reason, the federal government strengthened requirements on vehicle manufacturers in 2009. From 2009 to 2012, new rules were gradually implemented that require vehicle manufacturers to strengthen automobile roof construction so that it can withstand 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle without moving more than 5 inches.
However, because the average age of vehicles on American roads is more than 11 years, it will be well down the road before the rule changes have a significant impact on protecting drivers and passengers.
Assigning Liability in a Rollover Crash in Nevada
Liability for a rollover crash may fall to individuals, companies, businesses, or government entities depending on the cause of the accident. An auto accident attorney in Las Vegas can help investigate and determine who is at fault for the accident.
Rollover accidents can be caused by negligent drivers who collide with another vehicle causing the impacted driver to lose control of the vehicle. They can also be caused when drivers steer sharply to avoid road hazards such as potholes or uneven pavement. Other leading causes of rollover crashes include vehicle defects and design flaws such as improper balancing or poor tire construction that can make the vehicle prone to rollover crashes.
