The Myth That Bigger Vehicles Mean Safer Vehicles, By Georgia Car Accident Attorneys Montick & Associates

Vehicle safety has become an increasing priority to new car buyers as car industry standards have advanced and facilitated the development of new safety equipment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other agencies have continued to pass rules and regulations mandating that the auto industry improve vehicles to decrease accident rates and reduce serious injuries and wrongful deaths. As drivers have increasingly focused on safety, the myth has developed that larger vehicles, such as SUVs and 15 passenger vans, are safer because their mass, size and weight protects occupants from serious injury during car crashes.

However, SUVs and 15 passenger vans can be amongst the deadliest vehicles on the road for occupants. The engineering design of the vehicles means they have a high center of gravity and are prone to fatal rollover accidents. The experienced rollover accident attorneys of Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, has represented rollover accident victims for over 39 years.

Because of the tall, narrow design of SUVs and 15 passenger vans, they are prone to rollover accidents causing crush injuries and occupant ejections. Common situations that often lead to SUV or 15 passenger van rollover accidents include the following:

• Tire Blowouts: It is imperative to carefully monitor the tire pressure and wear of the tires on an SUV or 15 passenger vehicles (as well as on all vehicles). The distribution of weight and top heavy nature of such vehicles often lead to a rollover accident following a tire blowout.

• Evasive Maneuvers: Drivers of SUVs and 15 passenger vans frequently lose control and cause the vehicle to rollover when over-steering while performing evasive maneuvers to avoid auto accidents involving roadway obstacles, other vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.

• Inexperienced Operators: SUVs and especially 15 passenger vans drive differently because of their size, length and weight distribution. Sometimes drivers who lack experience driving larger vehicles misjudge braking time and safe speed around curves or during turns, resulting in serious 15 passenger van or SUV rollover accidents.

• Drivers Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs: Impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs continue to be a serious cause of all types of motor vehicle accidents. The unpredictable driving behavior of a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs can force other drivers to employ last minute unplanned maneuvers that result in 15 passenger van or SUV rollover accidents.

• Distracted Driving: Like drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol, distracted drivers often drift into another driver's lane or engage in other unsafe driving practices that require emergency responses by the driver of a car or SUV to avoid a rollover accident.

SUV and 15 passenger van rollover accidents are fairly common and tend to result in catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, serious disfigurement, loss of limbs, internal organ damage and even death. One study found that an SUV involved in a car wreck is almost three times more likely to rollover than a passenger vehicle. A rollover accident is even more likely in a 15 passenger van when it is fully loaded. Additionally, SUVs and 15 passenger vans create a serious risk of rollover roof crush or vehicle ejection injuries despite the false sense of security created by their size and weight.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a 15 passenger van or an SUV rollover accident, Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help you as we have people throughout Georgia for over 39 years. Our experienced Georgia rollover accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Call us today for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or visit us on the web at www.montlick.com. No matter where you are located we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.