SUV Rollover Accidents

Rollover Accidents That Involve Sport Utility Vehicles

A rollover accident can have very serious consequences for drivers and any passengers. The risk associated with serious injuries or even death are much higher when sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are involved in a rollover accident. Safely operating any vehicle is crucial to avoiding a car accident, but SUVs are just inherently more dangerous because of their design. This raises some rather complex issues surrounding who is liable after someone suffers harm.

If you or a loved one were involved in an SUV rollover accident in The Villages, we want you to know that you have legal rights. We encourage you to take the first step and consult with our Villages SUV Rollover Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton for a free case evaluation. We will review all of the evidence from your case and fight for the financial compensation you deserve.

Why are SUVs so Dangerous?

Accidents involving SUVs, trucks and vans account for more than 10,000 traffic fatalities and more than 200,000 catastrophic injuries every year on roads and highways across the country. While sport utility vehicles appear safe and fun to drive, the fact is their high centers of gravity pose a real risk to their drivers, passengers and other motorists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 33 percent of highway fatalities take place due to rollover accidents. SUVs have the highest rollover accident rate than any other type of vehicle.

While passenger vehicles can get into the same type of car wrecks as SUVs, the truth is there is a much greater risk for injury or death with SUVs. The reason for this can be attributed to the unique design of SUVs. They have a high center of gravity, are top-heavy, and have a narrow wheelbase, which makes them more unstable than other types of vehicles and places them at a greater risk for tipping over.

The high number of rollover accidents, injuries and fatalities can often be attributed to poor vehicle manufacturer design as well as improper safety features. As we mentioned above, because an SUV has a narrow wheel base and a low weight, it is more prone to rollover when a motorist makes a sharp maneuver. When an SUV does roll over, the roof is often too weak to prevent collapse which can leave occupants in great danger for serious brain and spinal injuries. In other rollover accidents, defective door latches and improper safety glass features contributed to a high number of passengers being ejected from the vehicle. In fact, the National Highway Traffic safety Administration estimates that 63 percent of rollover accidents end with vehicle occupants being ejected from the automobile.

Types of SUV Rollovers

All SUV rollovers are extremely dangerous and have the potential to be fatal. Rollover accidents can be organized into several categories, including:

• Ramp Rollovers – When one side of the vehicle makes contact with a ramp or other object causing it to roll.
• Side-Slope Rollovers – When the vehicle is maneuvering off-road conditions and accidentally exits the road.
• Lateral-Force Rollovers – When a driver is traveling at high speeds and over-steers around an unexpected curve, road block or traffic collision. SUVs are more susceptible to this type of accident because of their high center of gravity.
• Sideways Skid Rollovers – When the vehicle’s rear wheels lose traction and the tires make contact with a curb or object that causes it to tip over.

Injuries from SUV Rollovers

While the severity of injuries sustained from a SUV, truck or van rollover can vary, the most common include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Closed Head Injuries
• Skull Fractures
• Paralysis
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Crushed Bones
• Dislocations and Fractures
• Amputations from Ejection
• Wrongful Death

Injuries from SUV rollover accidents can be life-changing. As a result of the traumatic injuries attached to rollover accidents, many families face financial hardship. The SUV Rollover Attorneys at Whittel & Melton in The Villages are dedicated to helping you receive compensation for past and future medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment or quality of life and if needed, funeral expenses.

If you or someone close to you was injured in a rollover accident, contact The Villages SUV Rollover Attorneys at Whittel & Melton to investigate if you have a claim against the manufacturer of your vehicle. If a design defect caused your accident, we can help to see that negligent manufacturers are held accountable for your injuries. We can conduct extensive accident investigations and reconstructions to pinpoint exactly who and what caused your accident. When you or a family member is suffering from a rollover accident, The Villages Rollover Accident Attorneys can assist you obtain the best possible results for your claim. Call us today at 352-369-5334 or fill out a free online consultation form to schedule a free case evaluation with our team of experienced injury lawyers.