SUV Rollover Accident: How to Deal When You Get Into One
SUV rollovers are considered as a very common type of car accident and one of the hardest to avoid because SUVs are naturally prone to accidents. Although SUV rollovers are difficult to prevent because of the high center of gravity of SUVs, rollovers can be prevented if drivers know how to take the necessary precautions when driving SUVs.
However, since accidents are often unexpected and difficult to completely avoid, the least you can do is prepare yourself for a possible rollover and know what to do in case you get into an SUV rollover accident. Dealing with an SUV rollover accident properly will help you save money and avoid all the stress and hassle caused by an SUV rollover accident.
Ensure Safety
Immediately after an SUV rollover accident, the first thing to do is to turn off the engine and check for accidents. However, since most rollovers send SUVs to an upside down position, carefully open the window and crawl out.
Then, since SUVs are usually used by families, most SUV car accidents involve several passengers. If you are traveling with a lot of passengers, quickly account for the condition of each passenger. If anyone is badly hurt, call for medical help immediately and wait for the paramedics to arrive before moving the injured victims. Any wrong movement can make the injuries more severe.
Call the Police
Once you are safely out of the vehicle and have called for medical attention, call the police and file a report. Give the authorities the full details of the accident. It is important to be completely honest and to try to be as accurate as possible when giving your report; this will help make sure the accident will be quickly resolved.
Look for Eyewitnesses
Then, before leaving the scene of the accident, look for eyewitnesses and, if possible, ask for their names and contact numbers. These can come in handy when further investigation is necessary, especially if there are other parties involved.
Call Your Agent
Next, go ahead and call your insurance agent. Let them know that you’ve been in an SUV rollover. In some cases, especially when physical injury is involved, you can ask for a settlement. Should investigation show that the accident was caused by the faulty construction of the vehicle, then your lawyer can advice you on the possibility of seeking a settlement. Every rollover accident is unique, so your lawyer needs your cooperation and requires all details of the accident before he will be able to give suitable advice.
In case there is a third party involved, it is essential that you seek legal advice to help you determine whether you were at fault or not. In case there is damage or physical injury, you and the other party may have to determine who is at fault to determine who will be held accountable for the damages and injuries. It would be helpful to consult a car accident lawyer or, if there are injuries involved, a car accident lawyer who specializes in physical injury.
Do: Drive your SUV safely. Since SUVs are prone to rollovers, exert a greater amount of care when driving one. Also, wear seatbelts and advise your passengers to do the same.
Don’t: Don’t drive too fast, as this tends to compromise the stability of an SUV more.
The Verdict
SUVs are popular choices among families because they can hold more passengers and also have space for baggage. Their larger and bulkier bodies also tend to make you feel safer and more stable. However, SUVs are very prone to accidents, so be extra careful while driving and find out how to deal with an SUV rollover accident.
SUV rollover accidents are frequently very serious, resulting in severe injuries and high levels of fatalities. Due to the increased popularity of SUVs over the past 10-15 years, these accidents have been occurring more frequently each year.
An SUV rollover accident takes place when the vehicle turns over on its side or roof. These accidents are quite common when drivers lose control of their vehicles due to adverse road conditions or when swerving to avoid an accident. SUV rollover accidents are most common when the driver is making a sharp turn at very high speeds. Due to their high center of gravity and narrow tire track, SUVs are much more likely to be involved in rollover accidents than other vehicles.
SUV Rollover Facts
Injuries sustained in SUV rollover accidents are often very severe. Some of the most common injuries from rollover accidents include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Death
These accidents are much more common with SUVs than with other vehicles. Roughly 35% of all fatal SUV accidents involve rollover crashes, while only 15% of fatal auto accidents are the result of a rollover.
The following facts shed some insight into the seriousness of these accidents:
- There are approximately 10,000 fatalities a year that are the result of a rollover accident. Of these, over 60% involve SUVs.
- Brain injuries are the most common injury sustained in SUV rollover accidents.
- Rollover accidents result in serious injuries 36% more often than non-rollover accidents.
- Approximately 63% of rollover fatalities are the result of vehicle ejections. Survivors of vehicle ejections often suffer serious brain injuries.
- More than 90% of all SUV rollover accidents and about 80% of all rollover fatalities are the result of single vehicle accidents.
- Roughly 55% of all fatalities caused by single vehicle accidents are the result of a rollover.
SUV Design Defects
Many SUV rollovers are the result of design defects in the vehicles. Often, these defects make injuries caused by these accidents much worse. Design defects that contribute to the severity of rollover accidents include:
- Vehicles with an overly high center of gravity
- Inadequate roof structure to prevent roof buckling in the event of a rollover
- Defective tires
- Defective door latches which increase the likelihood of vehicle ejections
- Overly narrow tire tracks
When you have been severely injured in a rollover accident caused by a defective automobile, the vehicle manufacturer may be held liable for your damages. It is important to consult an experienced auto accident lawyer to determine if you have a valid claim against the manufacturer.
Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.
Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.