Rollover accidents are unique and often devastating car accidents that can result in severe injuries and extensive property damage. Different factors contribute to these accidents.
If you got injured in a rollover car accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation to cover medical expenses and other financial burdens. However, you will need the expert advice of a rollover accident lawyer with multiple years of experience and knowledge on addressing these cases.
Please keep reading to know more about rollover accidents in The Bronx, how to avoid them, their consequences, and how a lawyer from The Ward Law group can be helpful.
A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof during a collision. These accidents can involve single or multiple cars and are typically characterized by the vehicle's rolling motion.
The dynamics of rollovers involve complex factors such as vehicle design, speed, road conditions, and driver behavior.
Rollover accidents stand apart from other collisions due to their unique characteristics.
Unlike frontal or rear-end collisions, rollovers involve a vehicle's overturning motion, which can lead to more extensive damage to the car and severe injuries to occupants.
Rollover accidents often result in multiple impacts as the vehicle contacts the road, other cars, or objects.
Common Causes And Factors Contributing To Rollover Accidents
A combination of factors can cause rollover accidents. Some common causes include sharp turns taken at high speeds, overcorrecting while steering, colliding with an object or vehicle, and certain road conditions like uneven surfaces.
Factors such as vehicle type, weight distribution, tire quality, and driver impairment can also contribute to the likelihood of a rollover occurring.
Let's dive into it:
Speed:
Speed plays a critical role in rollover accidents. When a vehicle takes a turn at high speeds, especially on curves or corners, its center of gravity can shift, making it more susceptible to tipping over.
Additionally, abrupt lane changes or maneuvers executed at excessive speeds can upset the vehicle's balance and lead to a rollover. Rollovers are more likely to happen when a vehicle's speed doesn't align with the road's curvature.
That is why curves always have a speed limit that must be respected.
The curve design has something called "Camber." Cambers in curves are meant to minimize the effect of centrifugal force.
Road and Weather Conditions:
The road surface condition and weather elements can significantly contribute to rollover accidents. Wet or icy roads reduce traction, making it harder for drivers to maintain control during turns or sudden maneuvers.
Uneven road surfaces, potholes, or debris can cause a vehicle's tires to lose contact with the road, increasing the chances of a rollover.
Adverse weather and compromised road conditions can create a hazardous environment where rollovers are more likely.
Actions of the Driver:
Driver behavior plays a pivotal role in rollover accidents. Overcorrecting after veering off course, sudden swerving, or abruptly changing lanes can lead to the loss of vehicle control and result in a rollover.
Aggressive driving, distracted driving, and impaired driving (due to alcohol, drugs, or fatigue) can impair a driver's decision-making and response time, increasing the likelihood of rollover accidents.
Vehicle Type:
The type and design of the vehicle itself can influence the potential for a rollover. Cars with a higher center of gravity, such as SUVs, vans, and trucks, are more prone to rollovers than lower-profile cars.
Taller vehicles have a higher risk of tipping over during sharp turns or when attempting to avoid collisions. Factors like the suspension system, tire quality, and overall vehicle stability also contribute to a vehicle's susceptibility to rollovers.
A type of vehicle that has been proven to be safe when it comes to rollover accidents is the electric vehicle. They have a big difference regarding the center of gravity.
Although the electric SUV has the same characteristics as a regular SUV, the difference is that they have a lower center of gravity due to the placement of the battery pack, which is typically located on the bottom of the car.
Rollover Accident Trends
It is known that Pick-ups and SUVs are prone to fatal single-vehicle crashes, especially rollover accidents.
In 2021, statistics showed "Passenger vehicle occupant deaths in single-vehicle crashes" that 3,257 people died in rollover accidents in The United States, and 339 people died when their vehicle rolled over caused by another car.
There are two types of rollover accidents:
Untripped Rollover Accidents:
Untripped rollover accidents occur without the involvement of an external object or obstacle. Instead, they are primarily caused by factors intrinsic to the vehicle and the road conditions. These accidents typically happen when a driver loses control of their car due to sudden maneuvers, such as sharp turns at high speeds.
The vehicle's center of gravity shifts, leading to the loss of balance and a subsequent rollover. Untripped rollovers are more likely to occur with cars with a higher center of gravity, like SUVs and trucks, as they are inherently less stable during aggressive maneuvers.
Tripped Rollover Accidents:
Tripped rollover accidents involve an external object or condition that causes the vehicle to tip over. These external triggers, known as tripping mechanisms, include things like curbs, medians, guardrails, or even soft soil at the side of the road.
When a vehicle's wheels come into contact with a tripping mechanism, it can disrupt its balance and cause it to roll over. Tripped rollovers are common when a car veers off the road, collides with a curb or guardrail, and the impact leads to the tipping motion.
Injuries and Impact of Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents in The Bronx can result in many injuries due to the unique dynamics and forces involved. The impact of these accidents, combined with the sudden motion of a vehicle overturning, can lead to severe and sometimes life-altering injuries for drivers and passengers alike.
Head and Brain Injuries:
The abrupt changes in motion during a rollover can cause occupants' heads to strike the vehicle's interior, leading to concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and skull fractures. Even when wearing seatbelts, the violent jostling can result in head injuries due to the forces exerted on the body.
Spinal Cord Injuries:
Rollover accidents can subject the spine to immense stress as the vehicle rolls and impact the ground. This can lead to spinal cord injuries, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. The spine's vulnerability during a rollover underscores the potential for life-altering consequences.
Broken Bones and Fractures:
A rollover's violent impact and movement can cause bones to break or fracture. From ribs and limbs to the pelvis and collarbones, occupants can sustain various fractures due to the collision's force and the vehicle's subsequent tumbling.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage:
The rapid shifts in motion during a rollover can cause internal organs to collide with one another or with the vehicle's interior. This can result in internal bleeding, ruptured organs, and other internal damage that may not be immediately apparent but can have severe consequences if left untreated.
Cuts, Abrasions, and Lacerations:
The shattered glass and debris within a rolling vehicle can cause occupants to sustain cuts, abrasions, and lacerations. These injuries can range from minor wounds requiring stitches to deeper cuts that may lead to infection or scarring.
Psychological Trauma:
Beyond the physical injuries, the psychological impact of a rollover accident can be significant. Survivors may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression due to the trauma of the accident and the potential loss of life or limb.
Rollover Car Accident Lawyer in The Bronx
People may suffer different losses when they get involved in a rollover car accident. Families can lose a father, a mother, or a son; it is indeed a complex situation that may leave them with psychological trauma for life.
The Ward Law Group P.L. has a legal team specializing in personal injury lawsuits. We have dealt with several rollover accidents in The Bronx. We understand the pain and suffering you are dealing with, and we want you to know that we are there for you.
You deserve justice, and we are committed to bringing that to you. Contact us at 855-DOLOR-55; we can answer all your questions immediately. Remember, we won't charge you anything until we win fair compensation for you.