Rollover accidents are typically single-vehicle accidents according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This type of crash occurs when a vehicle flips over itself and can be divided into two types of crashes: tripped and untripped. Tripped rollovers make up around 95% of rollover accidents and are caused by an external force on the vehicle. A tripped rollover can be caused by uneven ground, colliding with a guardrail, tire malfunction, steep slopes, and other types of force applied to the tires. Untripped rollovers are typically caused by accident evasion maneuvers at high speeds. These types of rollovers account for only 5% of rollover accidents.
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Rollovers can cause injuries and fatalities at an extraordinary rate. In 2010 the NHTSA cites only 2.1% of all car accidents were rollovers but 35% of car accident fatalities were caused by rollover accidents. The NHTSA also notes that SUVs and other large vehicles are at a significantly higher risk for rollovers than sedans because of their design. The higher a vehicle’s center of gravity, the more likely they tend to be to rollover. As a result of these statistics, the NHTSA has established a strict rating system and warning rubric for vehicle manufacturers to inform consumers about rollover risks.
There are two safety tests to establish a car’s rollover rating: static and dynamic. The combined scores of these safety tests result in a rating from one to five stars which must be posted on the vehicle. SUVs and other utility vehicles must also have rollover warnings posted in the car’s sun visor and the owner manual.
If you or someone you know sustained serious injuries in a rollover accident, you may be able to collect damages from the vehicle manufacturer. If the manufacturer failed to accurately and properly post the rollover rating and warnings, they may incur liability for any rollover accident. Manufacturers are also liable for any vehicle defects that cause a rollover, such as a tire defect. Many vehicles also have electronic stability control (ESC) which is intended to help prevent rollover accidents. If the ESC malfunctions the manufacturer might also incur liability for that. In tripped rollover accidents caused by poorly kept roadways, the entity responsible for the roadway may also be responsible.
Litigating rollover accidents require the skill and expertise of an experienced personal injury lawyer. When someone is seriously injured or loses their life in a rollover accident, Aigen Injury Law is here to assist you. Our law specializes in personal injury and automobile accidents, including vehicle rollover accidents against car manufacturing companies. When these accidents occur, your lawyer at Aigen Injury Law will be available to guide you, protect your rights, answer all your questions, and fight to ensure that you maximize your recovery against all responsible parties.
Please do not hesitate to submit an online FREE CASE REVIEW. At Aigen Injury Law, an experienced lawyer is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week working relentlessly on behalf of victims who suffer from all types of accidents. We offer a free consultation for your personal injury case and there is no fee unless we recover for you.