Available 24/7Choosing a larger vehicle may offer safety advantages over a smaller one in many cases. Larger vehicles fare much better in multiple-car accidents, though there is another story when it comes to single-vehicle accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, larger vehicles such as pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs are at an increased risk for rolling over, primarily because they have proportionally narrow wheel bases and they are top heavy (their center of gravity is much higher than that of a car or smaller vehicle). In addition to those reasons, pickup trucks and SUVs that have increased wheel clearance are at even more risk of rolling over, especially at higher speeds. If you were injured by a vehicle that rolled over and caused you to be involved in an accident, contact an experienced California car accident attorney today.
Rollovers Are Rare But Deadly
Fortunately, rollovers do not happen very often. In fact they only account for about two percent of all traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But, while they are rare, they are incredibly dangerous. Despite only making up two percent of accidents in 2013, rollovers accounted for 33 percent of all fatalities, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Surprisingly, most of those fatal rollovers, 85 percent, in fact, were single-vehicle accidents, meaning only the vehicle that rolled was involved. In 90 percent of single-vehicle fatal rollovers, the drivers were performing normal driving behaviors such as going straight or going around a curve. The reason for crashing is usually due to excessive speed and/or distraction, falling asleep, or drinking and driving.
The Rollover Rate of 15 Passenger Vans
15 passenger vans are one of the most lethal vehicles on the roads due to their incredibly unstable design. Thousands of people have lost their lives due to these vans rolling over. Not only are they top heavy, but because two rows of seating extend beyond the rear wheel axle, they are very unstable and difficult to control. The faster they go and the more packed with passengers and luggage or equipment, the more likely they are to roll over. If a 15 passenger van is loaded to its maximum capacity, it is three times more likely to roll over, according to CBS News.
A Trip Is Present in Almost Every Rollover
When talking about a trip, we are not discussing a family vacation or a trip to the countryside. A trip, in rollover terms, is used to describe the object that caused the vehicle to roll. While driver inattentiveness and excessive speed may cause them to veer off the road or swerve, another ingredient it is almost always required in order for the vehicle to actually tip over and roll, which is referred to as the trip. A trip can be a sidewalk curb, a poll, another vehicle, or, in many scenarios, the loose ground to the side of the road. If you have been injured by a driver that rolled their car or performed another negligent act, contact the The Sargent Firm Injury Lawyers today to talk with one of our California car accident attorneys.