Action movies thrill us with scenes of cars racing down winding roads, flipping through the air, and crashing dramatically. While captivating, the reality of a rollover car accident is much more serious.
So, what is a rollover accident? It’s a rare but deadly type of crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), rollovers account for about 2.1% of crashes but cause nearly 35% of fatalities in the U.S.
This blog will explore this dangerous accident type and how to avoid it, especially if your vehicle is susceptible to such incidents.
Why Is It Called a Rollover Accident?
The term “rollover” comes from how a vehicle tips over during an accident. A rollover car accident is easy to understand, as the name describes the event. In a rollover car accident, a vehicle rolls onto its side or roof, often putting passengers in vulnerable positions that may need rescue. Two types of rollover accidents exist:
Untripped Rollover
This occurs without external interference. For example, during a sharp turn, sudden increases in force from the tires, inertia, and gravity can cause the car to tip over.
Tripped Rollover
Such a rollover car accident results from changes in surface or collisions. Scenarios like tires striking a curb or soft shoulder create an abrupt escalation in lateral force, leading to a vehicle rollover. Similarly, hitting another vehicle or a guardrail can lift one side and increase the risk of a rollover.
What Is One of the Main Causes of Vehicle Rollovers?
Rollover accidents can occur for numerous reasons, often involving poor vehicle design, hazardous road conditions, or driver behavior.
- Design flaws: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity (COG), such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and trucks, are more prone to tipping over.
- Tire blowouts: A sudden tire failure can catch you off guard, leading to a loss of control that may result in a rollover car accident.
- Poor road conditions: Slippery or uneven surfaces can make it difficult to maintain control and increase the chances of a car rollover.
- Rural travels: Lawmpm pointed out that nearly 75% of fatal rollover crashes happen on rural roads with speed limits above 55 miles per hour (mph), often lacking essential safety features.
- Excessive speed: Driving too fast makes it hard to steer safely around curves or obstacles and heightens vehicle rollover risks.
- Sharp turns: Quick lane changes or sharp turns can quickly destabilize taller vehicles.
- Distracted driving: Losing focus impairs your reaction time and makes a rollover accident more likely.
- Collisions: Hitting a stationary object or another vehicle can easily lead to a dangerous car rollover.
What Happens to Your Body in a Rollover Accident?
If you are involved in a rollover car accident, you may suffer severe injuries and emotional turmoil.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
In a rollover accident, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often result from the head violently hitting parts of the vehicle or from rapid, forceful movement of the brain inside the skull.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations occurred in the U.S. in 2020 and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The intense force of a vehicle rollover can crush or severely jolt the body and potentially cause spinal cord damage. Even with seatbelts, the pressure can tear or sever the spinal cord, leading to paralysis.
Neck injuries like whiplash, along with fractured or herniated discs, are also frequent in these crashes.
Broken Bones
A rollover accident causes severe fractures. As the car rolls, the body is violently thrown against the vehicle’s interior. This can lead to broken ribs, legs, arms, and even facial bones.
The crumpling of the car’s frame intensifies these injuries.
Psychological and Emotional Effects
The aftermath of these injuries can be mentally devastating. Coping with pain, immobility, and reliance on devices often leads to feelings of helplessness.
Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are expected as the emotional impact of the accident sets in.
Which Type of Vehicle Is Associated With a High Risk of Rollover Crash?
SUVs, vans, and compact cars have distinct tendencies toward rollover accidents, shaped by their designs and intended uses. Let’s examine the risks associated with each vehicle type more closely.
SUVs and Their Rollover Risks
SUVs are more likely to roll over because their COG (center of gravity), which is the point where their weight is balanced, is high up off the ground.
This high COG reduces stability, especially during sharp turns when the weight shifts to the outside, increasing the chances of tipping over. Despite some models ' advanced stability control features, their larger frames and higher ground clearance add to this instability.
As per the NHTSA, more than 280,000 rollover accidents occur yearly, with SUVs often involved.
Vans and Cargo Trucks
Vans and cargo trucks face similar rollover accident risks due to their design for carrying more passengers and cargo. This results in higher COG and weight distribution issues, especially when fully loaded. The greatest danger arises from single-vehicle rollovers during evasive maneuvers.
Compact Cars in the Spotlight
Compact cars usually have a lower vehicle rollover risk thanks to their lower center of gravity, which provides better stability than SUVs and vans. However, their smaller size and lighter weight can compromise this advantage during severe collisions or extreme driving conditions.
Preventing Rollover Accidents
If your vehicle is susceptible to a rollover accident, don’t be scared. There are practical steps you can take to reduce that risk.
Maintain Proper Tire Inflation
Check your tire pressure regularly. Overinflated and underinflated tires can lead to dangerous rollover accidents.
Adhere to Speed Limits
Always stick to the speed limit. Speeding can increase your chances of rolling over. The NHTSA reported that speeding resulted in 29% of fatalities in 2022.
Exercise Caution During Sharp Turns
Take it easy on sharp turns. Quick movements, especially on two-lane roads, congested highways, or busy intersections, can lead to rollovers if you’re going too fast.
Avoid Distractions
Staying focused is essential for maintaining control of your vehicle and avoiding rollovers. Distractions compromise this ability.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2022, rollover crashes claimed 7,418 lives, each one a heartbreaking loss for families and friends. This serves as a poignant reminder of the real dangers on the road.
By taking safety precautions and learning about rollover risks, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and even strangers. Together, we can help save lives.
