An October 29 collision in North Charleston near the intersection of Rivers Avenue and Greenridge Road resulted in overturned vehicles. Live 5 News indicates that several people suffered injuries in the collision and needed to be transported to the hospital. Because the cars tipped, the incident was classified as a rollover accident.
According to Safe Roads, more than 10,000 people died in collisions in a single year as a result of rollover accidents. Although around only 3 percent of motor vehicle collisions are classified as rollovers, these types of collisions account for around one-third of all occupant deaths. Rollover crashes are especially dangerous because occupants are frequently ejected when the vehicles tumble. Head injuries are also especially common after a rollover, which can be fatal or lead to permanent brain damage.
Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are more prone to rollover collisions than other types of passenger vehicles. In particular, light SUVs are more than six times as likely to be involved in fatal rollover accidents. However, even among heavy SUVs with a weight of 5,000 pounds or higher, almost four out of five crash deaths in these vehicles involve a rollover incident.
School buses, trucks and vans are also top-heavy vehicles that are prone to roll. In general, the higher the ground clearance of a vehicle, the greater the chance of a rollover occurring. When high ground clearance is combined with a narrow width, as occurs frequently on sport utility vehicles, the risk is further elevated.
Many rollovers also happen because of poorly designed vehicles, such as SUVs that are too top-heavy. If the vehicle itself caused or contributed to the accident, victims may pursue legal action against the manufacturer of the car.
Roof crush requirements can help protect against injury to the head and neck when rollovers occur, and car manufacturers must ensure they comply with or exceed standards from the Department of Transportation on vehicle stability. A failure to fulfill obligations to provide a safe vehicle can result in liability for the car manufacturer, regardless of company negligence.
While vehicle design is a factor in rollovers, driver behavior, tire failure and road design are also important to determining whether a car is likely to roll. Rollover crashes can occur due to impact, such as when a vehicle strikes another and causes it to tip. A rollover can also happen in a single-car crash, especially when drivers go too quickly around curves or drive aggressively and the car tips. If a passenger is involved in a rollover collision because the driver of the car he was in is going too quickly, the passenger can pursue a damage claim.
A Charleston accident lawyer can help you determine how to pursue legal action after a rollover crash. Call Howell Law as soon as possible for help after your crash.