Rollover crashes are some of the most dangerous types of accidents on the road. Because of the way they happen, crashes involving vehicles that flip or roll over often result in severe injuries or fatalities.
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Were you involved in a South Bend car accident? If so, we recommend contacting Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak to learn about your legal options. A free consultation can help you determine your next steps. If you have a rollover car crash case and choose our firm to represent you, there are no upfront costs or fees to pay. We do not charge any fees unless we win your case.
Call today to set up a free consultation. (574) 444-0741.
Understanding Rollover Crashes
Rollover crashes occur when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof. These accidents are categorized into two main types: tripped and untripped rollovers.
- Tripped Rollovers: These accidents happen when a vehicle’s tires catch on something, like a curb or soft soil, causing it to tip over.
- Untripped Rollovers: An untripped rollover can happen without external objects causing the vehicle to roll. This type of rollover crashes are triggered by high speeds, sharp turns or sudden maneuvers.
Common Causes of Rollover Crashes in Indiana
Drivers could get into rollover crashes for several reasons. Some common causes are:
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Speeding is a leading cause of many types of car accidents, including rollover crashes. When drivers exceed the speed limit, they have less time to react to sudden road conditions or traffic changes.
High speeds also increase the likelihood of losing control, especially when going around curves or bends in the road. For instance, drivers speeding through urban and rural roads may not see a sharp curve fast enough to adjust their speed to avoid rollover crashes.
Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. They affect judgment, coordination and reaction times. This impairment significantly increases the risk of a rollover accident. Impaired drivers are more likely to drive with less control, and may take sharp turns too quickly, drive at unsafe speeds or make erratic maneuvers. All of which could result in a rollover crash.
Poor Road Conditions
Speeding drivers can hit potholes, causing the car to lose balance and tip over.
Vehicle Overloading
Overloading a vehicle, whether a passenger car or a cargo vehicle, can affect its stability. Heavy-weighted vehicles can tip over, especially during sharp turns or sudden lane changes.
Tire Blowouts
Sudden tire blowouts could lead to a rollover on the highway where drivers are going fast. Drivers could quickly lose control of their vehicle. Tire blowouts can also be dangerous when driving through construction sites where roads are uneven.
Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance
Neglecting regular vehicle maintenance can lead to mechanical failures that contribute to rollover accidents. Suspension systems, brakes or steering issues can also affect vehicle stability and handling.
Improper Maneuvering
Sharp turns, abrupt lane changes and speeding while turning can destabilize a vehicle and cause it to tip over. This is especially true for vehicles with a higher center of gravity, such as mini-vans, SUVs, pickup trucks and commercial trucks.
Weather Conditions
Indiana experiences a lot of harsh weather conditions, from snow and ice in winter to heavy rain in the summer and spring. Poor weather conditions can significantly affect road traction and vehicle stability. Wet or icy roads increase the likelihood of skidding and losing control, which can lead to rollovers.
Driver Fatigue
Fatigued drivers could fall asleep at the wheel and lose control of their vehicle. Even “just” nodding off or struggling to stay awake can severely reduce a driver’s reaction time. Traveling a long time without any breaks could cause a drowsy driver to drift out of the traffic lane and hit a curb or guard rail. That type of impact could trigger a rollover accident.
Defective Vehicle Parts
Sometimes, rollovers are caused by defective or malfunctioning vehicle parts, such as faulty suspension components or brake systems. These defects can lead to a sudden loss of control and increase the risk of a rollover.
How to Avoid Rollover Crashes
Although rollover car crashes are rare, it is a dangerous car crash that could cause severe or life-altering injuries. Fortunately, drivers can reduce their risk of being involved in a rollover crash by driving defensively and taking these simple steps:
- Be mindful of your duty of care as a driver: which means not speeding or engaging in other reckless behaviors that could lead to a rollover crash and cause harm to yourself and others.
- Do not drive while impaired: This includes fatigue or any substances, such as alcohol, drugs or even over-the-counter medications that could make you drowsy.
- Properly load your vehicle: Includes securing cargo so it will not shift unexpectedly while turning or braking.
- Maintain your vehicle: This includes servicing brakes, replacing tires, adjusting alignment and other repairs to keep it in good working order.
- Learn how to maneuver your vehicle safely: remembering that vehicles with a higher center of gravity are even more vulnerable to rollover crashes.
- Drive defensively: More than just following traffic laws, it means remaining alert to weather, traffic, road conditions and other hazards you could encounter.
Contact Our South Bend Car Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in a rollover car crash due to another’s negligence, we encourage you to contact our trusted law firm for legal help. We understand the toll that it can take on you physically and emotionally. We are prepared to help you navigate the complex legal process; there is no need to try to handle things on your own.
At Pfeifer Morgan & Stesiak, we have been helping clients recover full and fair compensation for years. Worried about cost? We offer a free case review to discuss your legal options, and there are also no upfront costs to pay if we represent you.
Call Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak today. (574) 444-0741.
