Rollover Accidents

It was a tragedy too horrific to believe. A rollover crash near the Liberty City neighborhood led to the death of one person and the hospitalization of four others. One person was trapped in the vehicle, another was ejected, and several pedestrians who were in the area were hit by the out-of-control vehicle.

Rollover Crashes by the Numbers 

Between one-third and one-fourth of all highway fatalities in the United States are a result of rollover crashes (ROCs). These are incidents in which the vehicle rotates 90 degrees or more either laterally or longitudinally. Over 200,000 of these crashes occur annually, resulting in 9,000 deaths and over 14,000 severe injuries, along with more than 220,000 moderate injuries. Even though ROCs make up less than three percent of all motor vehicle collisions, they account for 33 percent of injuries.

About the Fatalities 

Fatalities are related to the speed at the time of the incident, and the number of times the vehicle turns over. Injuries are often a result of severe head trauma, or of injuries sustained in an ejection.

Causes of Injuries in ROCs 

Four key factors that can impact.  They are:

• When pieces of the roof crush or penetrate occupants;
• When occupants’ bodies experience extreme impact with parts of the vehicle;
• When occupants are partially ejected;
• When occupants are totally ejected.

Common Causes of Rollovers 

There are multiple factors that might contribute to a rollover incident, and often multiple factors combine to create a particularly dangerous situation:

• Speed: Four in ten rollover crashes occur partly due to speed. The majority of these incidents take place on roadways with posted speeds of 55 MPH or more.
• Inebriation: About half of ROCs involve alcohol—even small amounts that are within the legal limits.
• Distractions: The majority of ROCs occur during everyday driving in routine situations. But with the many potential distractions out there, from phones to passengers and more, distractions can contribute to rollover crashes.
• Unbalanced loads: vehicles pulling trailers that are unbalanced increase the possibility of a ROC, especially when combined with other factors.
• Tire Blowouts: Faulty tires contribute to a dangerous driving experience, and rollovers are a distinct possibility.
• Road Hazards: Gravel, uneven roadways, and potholes can all surprise drivers. The combination of the vehicle’s ability to deal with the situation and the driver’s response could lead to a rollover.

In the Aftermath of an ROC 

Have your or a loved one been injured or killed in a rollover incident? Was the cause of the accident in any way related to negligence or recklessness? If so, you may be entitled to remuneration to address costs related to medical treatment, funeral expenses, lost wages, emotional trauma, and more. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation with the experienced Kissimmee and Orlando personal injury attorneys at Salazar & Kelly Law Group today.

Source:

cbsnews.com/miami/news/rollover-crash-leaves-5-hospitalized-miami-police-investigating/