Rollover accidents are among the most deadly type of car accidents that can happen in North Carolina. Although rollovers only take place in approximately 3 percent of serious crashes, 30 percent of people who are killed in a passenger vehicle crash were involved in a rollover.
Any type of vehicle has the potential to roll over, but there are certain car models that are at a greater risk. Cars with a top-heavy design, such as vans, SUVs and pickup trucks, may be more likely to roll over due to their higher center of gravity. When these types of vehicles make sharp turns, the center of gravity can be transferred to one side and cause an imbalance.
Although sharp turns and over-corrections could lead to a vehicle imbalance, rollover accidents generally do not happen because of a steering maneuver alone. When a car rolls over in a single car crash, it usually does so because it tripped on something like a pothole or a curb. Another factor that can increase the chance of a rollover accident is excessive tire grip. Tires that grip the road too much will not allow a car to slide, and the car may tip over if the driver loses control.
Even if a driver was partially responsible for an accident, faulty vehicle design could have played a role in the seriousness of the injuries. Victims of rollover car accidents may want to seek help from an attorney in order to claim compensation for their injuries from all of the liable parties. In some cases, multiple parties could hold responsibility for a rollover car accident.
Source: ConsumerReports.org, “Rollover 101“, November 17, 2014