Since the popularity of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) began growing, rollover accidents have become a concern on American roads, including here in the Ohio & Northern Kentucky areas.
In fact, nearly 2,500 accidents were caused by vehicle rollovers in Ohio in 2011, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. In Kentucky, there were over 1,500 instances of overturned vehicles in 2012, based on data from the state police.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a rollover accident, you deserve justice. Rollovers can lead to serious personal injuries and even cause wrongful death. The attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy understand how devastating the aftermath of an automotive rollover can be, and that’s why we fight for compensation for those who have suffered due to no fault of their own.
Rollover Crash Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been analyzing the occurrence of rollovers for several years, and statistics reveal that an average of over 268,000 rollover accidents happen each year.
Some other statistics involving rollovers include:
- 2 3% of all accidents in the U.S. include a vehicle rollover
- Approximately 11,000 fatal rollovers occur annually
- Rollovers account for more than half of fatal single-vehicle accidents
- The risk of injury is 36% higher in rollover crashes
- More than 90% of rollovers are single-vehicle accidents
In KY, overturned vehicles accounted for 3% of occupants who were killed or injured in 2012. In Ohio, nearly 5% of all fatalities were due to rollovers in 2011. While these types of accidents may not be the most common, they are more likely to lead to serious injuries or even death.
Suvs, Rollovers & Roof Safety
Although it is possible for a sedan or compact car to rollover in extreme circumstances, it is more common for SUVs. Unfortunately, because of their high center of gravity, narrow track width and drivers who have a false sense of added security in an SUV, these types of vehicles are more likely to rollover.
Despite posing a higher risk for rollover accidents, most Sport Utility Vehicles are built without roll bars. If one turns over, the SUVs roof can easily collapse from the force often causing catastrophic injuries. In fact, many SUVs have been recalled because of their failure to meet NHTSA safety standards for vehicle roofs standards that can be considered the bare minimum to begin with.
In a rollover accident, roofs usually crash inward, leading to serious bodily harm to those within, even when wearing seat belts. Some common injuries that can occur include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Whiplash
- Skull Fracture
- Back Trauma
- Paralysis
These are just a few of the potentially debilitating injuries that can result from a crushed SUV roof in a rollover accident. Such damage to the body can require lifelong healthcare and cause you and your family to make big adjustments in daily life. You deserve legal help, and we can give you the guidance you need in a 100% free case evaluation.
Types Of Rollover Accidents
Rollovers can be caused not only by a top-heavy vehicle, but by poor weather, poor road maintenance, speeding and other factors. Although any rollover accident can lead to fatal and life-threatening injuries, there actually are different types of rollovers that occur in SUVs and other vehicles, including:
- Lateral-Force these types of rollovers occur when a vehicle is taking a curve at an unsafe speed; most common in vehicles with a high center of gravity
- Ramp a rollover accident caused by a vehicle rolling onto a ramp or other object; rollovers performed by stunt drivers are an example
- Side-Slope a rollover caused when a vehicle accidentally leaves the road or rolls over in off-road conditions
- Sideways-Skid a rollover caused by a vehicle spinning out of control and striking a curb or other object
Your vehicles structural integrity plays a large part in whether you and your passengers will survive a rollover. If you have been injured or lost a loved one because of a rollover accident, you may have grounds for a lawsuit and a personal injury lawyer from our firm may be able to help.