Is My Car at Risk of a Rollover Accident?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, rollover accidents are not especially common. Rollovers account for about one percent of all car accidents. While rare occurrences, these types of accidents can be fatal. In fact, rollovers account for approximately one-third of all accident-related passenger deaths. In 2015, more than 7,200 people passed away in rollover accidents, and many more were injured.

Considering how dangerous rollover accidents are, you are most likely wondering, “Is my car at risk of a rollover accident?” Knowing your vehicle’s risk can help you mitigate the likelihood of a rollover accident. However, you cannot entirely eliminate the risk of a rollover accident, since they could occur because of factors beyond your control.

If you are harmed in a rollover accident caused by another driver, call an Ohio car accident lawyer at Kisling, Nestico & Redick at 1-800-HURT-NOW right away for a free case consultation. We will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve under the law.

Factors That Increase Risk of a Rollover Accident

All vehicles can roll over depending on the circumstances. However, certain factors can increase your risk:

• Higher center of gravity: Taller vehicles including vans, pickups, and SUVs have a higher center of gravity. This means they are heavier on top and therefore, more likely to tip or roll over.
• Carrying weight on top of the vehicle: Certain vehicles already have a higher center of gravity. However, drivers can increase this factor by carrying heavy equipment on the top of their vehicle. Overloading or improperly loading their vehicle may increase the risk of a rollover.
• Too little traction: If a vehicle’s tires don’t have a strong grip on the road, they are more likely to tip over.
• Too much traction: It is possible for vehicles to have too much grip on the road. If the vehicle is unable to slide because of too much traction, it is more likely to tip over.
• Speeding: A significant number of rollover accidents involve speeding. The faster the vehicle is going, particularly if it collides with a low object or during poor weather, the greater the likelihood of tipping or rolling.

SUVs Are Most at Risk for Rollovers

A variety of factors play into rollover accidents, yet SUVs have the highest risk. If you drive an SUV, you need to be aware that you face a greater chance of tripping or rolling in an accident than if you were in a smaller vehicle. You also face a high risk of a rollover accident if you drive a pickup truck, though this risk is still lower than for SUVs.

Fortunately, SUVs have become safer over time. When the rollover risk became apparent, manufacturers took steps to reduce the chance of a rollover and to increase passenger’s safety if one occurs. Many SUVs now have electronic stability control (ESC) and greater roof strength.

If you are worried about a vehicle you already own or are in the market for a new car, consider reviewing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s rollover ratings. Based on this rating, some vehicles with a high rollover risk include:

• Chevrolet Colorado and Tahoe
• Cadillac Escalade
• GMC Yukon
• Jeep Renegade and Wrangler Unlimited
• Ford F-250
• Ram 2500
• Toyota 4Runner
• Nissan NV3500

Most Rollovers Occur Because of Tipping

A majority of rollovers do not include a single vehicle simply rolling over in the middle of the road, though it is possible for some vehicles to roll over because of a single maneuver such as over-correcting the wheel.

Most of the time, vehicles tip or roll because they collide with a low object. For instance, a vehicle that slides into a curb or a soft shoulder on a highway is more likely to roll.

Were You Injured in a Rollover Accident? Call Kisling, Nestico & Redick

If you were hurt when your vehicle tipped or rolled over, and the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should speak with an attorney right away.

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, our car accident attorneys have years of experience with rollover accident claims. We will thoroughly review your situation, gather evidence to support your claim for compensation, and aggressively fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

Contact us at 1-800-HURT-NOW or use our online form to schedule a free case assessment.