Georgia Rollover Accidents Common Questions [Part I]
The importance of wearing a seatbelt when a vehicle occupant is involved in a car crash can hardly be overstated, but seatbelts are particularly valuable when a motor vehicle rollover occurs during a collision. Because seatbelts keep vehicle occupants within the protective enclosure of the passenger compartment and minimize impact with hard interior surfaces of the vehicle, they can prevent permanent brain damage, partial or total paralysis from spinal cord injuries or wrongful death in a rollover collision. Our experienced Georgia rollover accident lawyers see the tragic consequences of far too many of these devastating collisions so we have provided answers to common questions about SUV rollover accidents in Georgia in this two-part blog post.
What makes a rollover accident unique compared to other types of motor vehicle collisions?
There are a couple of factors that distinguish rollover collisions from other types of motor vehicle accidents. The most important characteristic that distinguishes rollover accidents from other types of collisions is the severity of injury that typically occurs in such crashes. When a vehicle occupant is not buckled up, the risk of being ejected from the vehicle, slammed against a hard interior surface or suffering a roof crush injury creates an increased risk of experiencing severe debilitating injuries. Rollover crashes account for approximately a third of all motor vehicle accident-related fatalities according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation website safercar.gov. However, this type of collision constitutes only three percent of all accidents according to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
Another factor that makes rollover accidents qualitatively different than other types of collisions is that many of the serious injuries and fatalities that occur are related to vehicle defects. Improved electronic stabilization control systems and tougher roof strength standards have made SUVs safer in recent years. Nonetheless, vehicles that are taller and have a relatively narrow wheel base, such as some SUVs and pickup trucks, are more prone to rolling over in a collision. Further, defective tires cause blowouts that can induce a vehicle to rollover. Because a range of vehicle defects may contribute to rollover crashes, the manufacturer of a vehicle or its components may be named as a defendant in these cases.
Do most rollover accident claims involve sports utility vehicles (SUVs)?
While SUVs are still more likely to rollover than a passenger car, safety improvements in recent years have made them safer than many pickup trucks and vans. Generally, any vehicle with a high center of gravity will be more prone to rollover than a passenger car that is low to the ground. Some large passenger vans may be the vehicles that are most likely to rollover in a collision. Some insurance carriers consider 15-passenger vans, which are really just converted cargo vans, so dangerous that they will not insure the vehicles.
While we have answered some common questions about SUV rollovers here, we invite you to read Part II of this post for more answers. If you or your loved one has been involved in a Georgia rollover accident, our Atlanta auto accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates have been representing injury victims for over thirty years throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.