How To Avoid Injuries In A Rollover Accident
How to Avoid Getting Injured In a Rollover Auto Accident
A recent report on WPTV News 5 highlighted once more how deadly rollover motor car accidents can be. According to the report, a 25-year-old driving a BMW lost control over his vehicle, spun out and hit a Toyota 4Runner. Both vehicles were on southbound I-95 near the Glades Road exit in Boca Raton.
The momentum of the impact resulted in the Toyota flipping over several times and resulted in the tragic on the spot death of a passenger traveling in the vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. While the driver of the Toyota SUV was taken to Delray Medical Center as a trauma alert, no one in the BMW was hurt, said the troopers. The crash that closed all southbound lanes around 7 p.m. remains under investigation.
Rollover Crashes Can Be Really Scary
While every car accident is scary and fraught with danger and no driver would want to be involved in a car accident, rollover accidents are perhaps among the most frightening of them all. Every driver will fervently wish that they are never involved in such a situation and fortunately, most of them will be.
Of the nearly 9.1 million vehicle accidents in 2010 involving passenger cars, SUVs, pickups and vans, only about two percent involved a rollover, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
However, the unfortunate fact is that when rollover accidents do occur, the fatality rate is generally far higher than other types of car crashes. In the same year, the reported two percent of rollover crashes accounted for close to 35% of the fatalities from passenger vehicle crashes. Tragically, more than 7,600 people died in rollover crashes in that year. While rollover accidents are inclined to be more deadly, fortunately, with a little care, they are also preventable.
What Is a Rollover Car Accident and how is it Different from Other Types of Accidents?
A motorcar accident is generally considered as a rollover accident when any of the vehicles involved in the collision flips over on its side or rolls over on its roof as a result of the impact of the crash. The flipping or rolling over can happen once or several times depending on the force of the impact.
Tips on Avoiding a Rollover Car Accident
- Always wear a seatbelt: This is a very simple but extremely effective tip in preventing injuries in all types of car accidents, including rollover accidents. Wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces the chances of injuries as the body is kept securely strapped into the seat and cannot be flung around as the car rolls over.
- Do not drink and drive: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can increase the chances of your being involved in a car accident many times over since you cannot pay proper attention to the road conditions and traffic. You should also be very careful about consuming prescribed medications and avoid driving if the label of the medication carries any warning regarding driving. Many medicines can make you feel drowsy or leave you unable to focus on the road.
- Do not use a mobile phone while driving: Talking on the mobile phone, texting, or using social media while driving can distract you and you may not be able to see properly the oncoming traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians. A sudden stop or swerve to avoid them may result in the vehicle rolling over even if no other vehicle hits you.
Are You a Victim of a Rollover Car Accident?
With over 45 years of personal accident litigation experience, Lavalle, Brown, Ronan & Schwencke, P.A. are among the most experienced personal injury law firms in Boca Raton. We can help you if you intend to/already filed a claim seeking compensation for a rollover car accident. Contact us today.
