Brian White | April 28, 2022 | Car Accidents

Rollover accidents can be terrifying and have the highest potential for serious bodily injury. As your car rolls, you’ll be tossed around the vehicle, hitting many different body parts before finally coming to a stop. 

Unfortunately, you go where the car goes when you’re involved in a rollover accident. If you didn’t have a seat belt on, your injuries could be even worse. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that rollover accidents account for more than 10,000 car crash deaths every year.

How Are Rollover Accidents Different from Other Car Accidents?

When you’re involved in a car accident, the energy built up in your car transfers. 

Oftentimes, it can be affected by a few things, such as:

  • How fast you were going
  • How effectively you were able to use your brakes (reducing the inertia)
  • Road conditions

Many modern vehicles are constructed with safety features like “crumple zones” that allow energy to be safely displaced in an accident. 

However, in a rollover accident, the crumple zones or other similar features may not be effective. The car’s structural integrity is compromised by cabin intrusion when the vehicle folds inward. This can have devastating effects on the human body.

What Kind of Damage Can Be Caused by Rollover Accidents?

Although a rollover isn’t guaranteed to cause severe injuries, there’s more potential for these accidents to be deadly than other types. Sometimes, a driver or passenger could be ejected from the window. Or loose objects in the car could strike someone.

Common injuries from a rollover accident can include:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Neck, back, or spine injuries
  • Broken bones or fractures
  • Cuts, contusions, or lacerations
  • Loss of limbs or extremities
  • Temporary or permanent disability

Seat belts and airbags can help reduce the severity of crash injuries, although they aren’t a guarantee of safety. Unfortunately, car safety features sometimes fail. If you were involved in a car accident, your lawyer might examine the vehicle’s condition to determine whether you have a case for a defective or malfunctioning consumer product.

What Are the Leading Causes of Rollover Accidents?

Rollover accidents typically happen when a car’s balance is thrown off-kilter by energy displacement or an outside force. For example, changing lanes too quickly can cause rollovers, especially for vehicles with a higher center of gravity.

Other factors that may contribute to a car accident can include:

  • Dangerous road conditions
  • Overloaded or improperly stacked cargo
  • Steep inclines or sharp turns
  • High winds

While any vehicle can be involved in a rollover accident, some types, such as tall, narrow vehicles, have a higher chance of rolling over. These include commercial trucks, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans.

How Can I Avoid a Rollover Accident?

Maintaining a safe speed and using caution when driving, especially when in a situation where a rollover accident is more likely, can help you avoid this type of wreck. Always practice the proper safety measures when driving, ensuring that you’re reducing your chances of an accident and that you’re protected in case one happens.

Wearing your seat belt and having your airbags inspected regularly by a mechanic can protect you should you have a rollover accident. Make sure that you periodically change your tires so they have the proper tread. Ensure that you avoid distracted driving, and always have a designated driver or call a cab or rideshare if you’ve been drinking.

If you have been involved in a rollover accident that wasn’t your fault, you may want to file a claim for damages. A car accident attorney can help. 

Contact the Houston Car Accident at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

For more information, contact the Houston car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000. 

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