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 were hurt in a car accident, you might be able to get money to pay for medical bills and other costs. But you'll need expert advice from an experienced rollover accident lawyer to handle these cases effectively.
In this article, we will discuss rollover accidents in The Bronx, provide tips on how to prevent them, explore the impact of these accidents, and explain how a lawyer from The Ward Law Group can assist you.
Rollover crashes occur 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.
These accidents stand apart from other collisions due to their unique characteristics.
Rollovers are different from front or rear collisions. They cause the vehicle to overturn, resulting in more damage to the car and serious injuries to people inside.
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. Common causes of accidents include fast turns, overcorrecting while steering, hitting objects or vehicles, and uneven road surfaces.
Vehicle type, weight distribution, tire quality, and impaired driving can increase the chances of a rollover.
Let's dive into it:
Speed:
Speed plays a critical role in rollover crashes. When a vehicle turns fast, its center of gravity can change, especially on curves or corners. As a result, the vehicle is more likely to tip over.
Sudden lane changes or fast maneuvers can cause a vehicle to lose balance and 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 crashes. Wet or icy roads reduce traction, making it harder for drivers to maintain control during turns or sudden maneuvers.
Uneven roads, potholes, or debris can make a car's tires lose contact with the road, increasing the risk 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 crashes. If you overcorrect or suddenly change lanes, you may lose control of your vehicle, which could roll over.
Aggressive, distracted, and impaired driving can make drivers take longer to react and make decisions, increasing the chance 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 are more likely to tip 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.
Electric vehicles have been proven to be safe in rollover accidents. They differ greatly in terms of the center of gravity.
The electric SUV is similar to a regular SUV but has a lower center of gravity. This is because the battery pack is typically positioned at 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 crashes.
People often ask, what are the odds of surviving a rollover car accident? It will vary based on the crash situation, vehicle use, safety features, and seat belt usage.
In 2021, a total of 3,257 people lost their lives in rollover accidents in the United States. Additionally, 339 individuals died as a result of another vehicle causing their car to roll over.
There are two types:
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. External triggers, called tripping mechanisms, can be curbs, medians, guardrails, or soft soil on the roadside.
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 and collides with a curb or guardrail, and the impact leads to the tipping motion.
Injuries and Impact of RolloveR CRASHES
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:
Rollover accidents can cause head injuries like concussions, TBIs, and skull fractures due to sudden changes in motion. Even when wearing seatbelts, the violent jostling can result in head injuries due to the forces exerted on the body.
Spinal Cord Injuries:
These incidents can subject the spine to immense stress as the vehicle rolls and impacts 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 break or fracture bones. From ribs and limbs to the pelvis and collarbones, occupants can sustain various fractures due to the force of the collision 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. If internal bleeding, organ rupture, or other hidden damage is not treated, it can have serious consequences, even if symptoms are not immediately obvious.
Cuts, Abrasions, and Lacerations:
The shattered glass and debris within a rolling vehicle can cause occupants to sustain cuts, abrasions, and lacerations. Car crash injuries can vary from small cuts needing stitches to deeper cuts that might cause 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 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 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.