Vehicle rollovers are most often the result of driver distraction. Distracted drivers can be any of the following: tired, talking on cell phone, in a hurry, talking on a headset, or eating. Common distractions that contribute to a rollover are also common among vehicular accidents. These include changing lanes without signaling, passing other cars, failure to signal at stop sign or red light, not wearing a seat belt, striking the steering wheel or tires, and operating a vehicle that is too high. If you have been involved in a vehicular accident with one of these causes listed above, the chances that your vehicle will rollover are very likely.
Speeding: Sadly, the leading cause of vehicle rollover accidents is speeding. Approximately 40% of all fatal rollover accidents involve speeding vehicles. Nearly three-fourths of all rollover accidents occurring in a car accident involving speed are caused by speed. It is important to slow down when you see vehicles coming from the front or when you see vehicles that are close to your vehicle from behind. Speeding laws differ in each state, so it is best to check with your local DMV or Department of Motor Vehicles before driving or within a distance of the law.
Rear end collisions: Due to the placement of cars in certain situations, rear end collisions are also likely causes of vehicle rollovers. When cars are backing up, they may collide into the rear of the vehicle being backed up. Or the rear car might hit the front of the vehicle being backed up. As vehicles are backing up, it is very easy to become distracted, especially if it is night. It is always a good idea to signal and to look both ways when making a turn or lane change.
Head on rollover accidents: Head on rollover accidents usually involve vehicles swerving into oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, this type of accident is very common, especially in rural communities where drivers have to make wide turns or lane changes. When a head on rollover occurs, the vehicles are usually traveling at a high rate of speed, which makes it very difficult for them to stop or avoid colliding with other cars.
Vehicle theft is another major cause of vehicle rollovers. A vehicle that has been stolen is more likely to be involved in a rollover accident. Drivers who transport their own cars can be very tempted to leave their valuables in the vehicle. It can be extremely expensive to replace a vehicle that has been stolen, but it can often be cheaper to purchase a new vehicle and then install an immobilizer or steering wheel lock to prevent it from being stolen. The cost of the vehicle that has been stolen will often be more than the cost of a vehicle that has been equipped with an immobilizer.
All of these incidents can lead to serious injury or even death if they occur at night or on a deserted highway. If you believe that you have been injured as the result of a vehicle rollover, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. These cases often end up with large settlements if they go to court, but the legal fees can eat into your monthly budget and make paying the settlement difficult to achieve. If you have been injured in a vehicle rollover accident, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.