Causes of Rollover Crashes

Causes of Rollover Crashes

By Pyle Law, Reviewed by E. Thomas Pyle January 14 2020 5:14 pm

No one has to explain to you that rollover accidents are not only exceedingly dangerous but are also terrifying.  If another driver leaves you or someone you love injured – or worse – in a rollover accident, consult with an experienced Kansas car accident attorney today. 

Kansas Rollovers: The Statistics

Safercar.gov shares that rollover accidents have a higher rate of fatality than any other kind of traffic accidents on our roads.  In fact, the statistics related to rollovers are quite grim:

• In 2010, rollovers accounted for only 2.1 percent of all traffic accidents but were responsible for 35 percent of all traffic deaths. 
• More than 7,600 people died in rollover accidents in 2010 alone.

Rollovers: The Causes

Safercars shares that, of all the types of traffic accidents, rollovers are most closely associated with a complex combination of unique factors that include the driver, the roadway, the vehicle, and environmental conditions. Let’s take a closer look:

• Type of Vehicle – While any vehicle can rollover if the conditions are right, those vehicles that are taller and narrower are most prone.  For example, SUVs, vans, and pickups all have higher centers of gravity, which makes them far more susceptible to rolling over (especially in single-vehicle accidents).
• Speed – Fatal rollover accidents are more likely than other kinds of accidents to be speed-related.  In fact, about 40 percent of all rollover fatalities involve excessive speed. Further, the vast majority of fatal rollover crashes occur on roadways with posted speeds of 55 miles per hour or higher.
• Impairment – Almost half of all fatal rollovers involve alcohol. 
• Location – The majority of rollovers occur on rural highways, which are commonly undivided and without safety barriers. 

All of these variables – often in combination – can contribute to dangerous rollover crashes. 

Kansas Driving Conditions

When it comes to rollover accidents, driving conditions can also play an important role, including:

• Tire Failure – A vehicle’s tires tether it to the road; faulty tires and/or a blowout can result in a rollover.
• Hazards on the Roadway – A poorly maintained road, a road without proper signage, and roads with other preventable hazards can all contribute to deadly rollover accidents. 
• Tripping – The vast majority of rollovers are caused when a tire strikes something that interrupts the motion of the vehicle, causing it to pitch either forward or sideways and subsequently roll.  Soft shoulders, large rocks, curbs, and much more can all contribute to tripping. 

If You Suffer Injuries in a Rollover Accident, Consult with an Experienced Kansas Car Accident Attorney Today 

Rollovers are among the deadliest accidents on our highways.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover crash, attorney Tom Pyle at Pyle Law in McPherson, Kansas, is committed to aggressively advocating on behalf of your rights and your rightful compensation.  Our dedicated legal team is here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at (888) 381-1155 for more information today.