Car accidents can feel frightening no matter the circumstances under which they occur. Of course, the causes and factors of a crash can make some incidents more serious than others. While you may hope that you always practice safe driving habits while behind the wheel, you may not always have the ability to control the actions of another driver while you are a passenger.
Single-vehicle accidents are not uncommon. Numerous factors could contribute to a single-vehicle crash, including the type of vehicle involved. Vehicles with high centers of gravity — SUVs in particular — have a higher chance of rolling over, and research shows that many of these rollover accidents involve only one vehicle.
Causes of rollover crashes
The main causes of rollover incidents relate to the driver’s behaviors. While you may not think much about getting into the passenger seat while a friend or maybe even a friend of a friend drives, you are still at risk. Some of the most common driving mistakes that lead to rollover crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Impairment
- Excessive speeding
- Inattentiveness
When it comes to speed, nearly 40 percent of fatal rollover accidents had excessive speed as a contributing factor. These accidents also commonly occur on roadways that are straight or that have a curve, which further indicates that driving error contributes to these incidents as straight or even slightly curvy roads are fairly common.
Another serious issue that causes fatal rollover incidents is alcohol consumption. Getting behind the wheel after a few drinks is dangerous in any situation, and statistics show that approximately 50 percent of fatal rollover accidents involved alcohol. Impairment can easily cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, and when in an SUV, van or truck, it is likely that the vehicle will roll over.
Fatalities
Unfortunately, these accidents can just as easily prove fatal as a crash involving multiple vehicles. Even if fatal injuries do not occur, severe harm could still come about. If you have lost a loved one in a rollover accident or suffered serious injuries yourself, you may have reason to seek compensation for resulting damages.
Even in single-vehicle accidents, authorities still deem a driver at fault. Therefore, you may have the ability to file a wrongful death or personal injury claim against the driver considered responsible. Information on these legal claims may help you determine whether taking such action could suit your circumstances.