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Sadly, rollover accidents almost always result in severe or fatal injuries. While just three percent of passenger vehicle accidents involve rollovers, these accidents account for 28 percent of all roadway fatalities, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS also reports that:

• Nearly three-quarters of all rollover accidents (74 percent) involve a pre-rollover impact.
• More than one-quarter of all rollover accidents (26) are single-vehicle accidents.
• Single-vehicle accidents are more likely to result in fatalities than rollovers involving collisions with other vehicles (49 percent versus 12 percent).
• Nearly half of all rollover accidents involving a pre-rollover impact (44 percent) involve a front-end collision.
• Rollover accidents involving cars are the most common, followed by accidents involving SUVs and then by accidents involving pickup trucks.
• After climbing to more than 10,000 per year in the early 2000s, fatal rollover accidents have recently been on the decline. But, there are still thousands of fatal rollover accidents in the United States each year.

Based on data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), this means that on average:

• There are more than 10,000 rollover accidents per year in Florida (roughly three percent of the 350,000+ accidents per year).
• There are nearly 1,000 fatal rollover accidents per year in Florida (roughly 28 percent of the 3,100+ fatal accidents per year).

What Is a Rollover Accident (and Why Do These Accidents Happen)? Our Fort Myers Accident Attorney Explains

The IIHS defines a rollover accident as one in which a vehicle “tips onto its side or roof at any time during the crash.” While high-speed rollover accidents often involve vehicles flipping multiple times, our Fort Myers accident attorney knows that this level of severity is not required for an accident to qualify as a rollover. Additionally, even though taller vehicles such as SUVs and jeeps may be more prone to rolling over depending on their design, Consumer Reports notes that “any vehicle can roll over.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 280,000 rollover accidents in the U.S. annually. Why are these accidents so common? There are several factors to blame. As Consumer Reports explains, “[r]ollover-avoidance technologies, better vehicle design, enhanced safety systems, stronger government regulations, and increased use of safety belts could cut the number killed and injured by half or more.” But, even these aren’t the only risks.

Some of the most common types of rollover accidents in Florida and throughout the U.S. include:

• Cars, SUVs and Trucks “Tripping” on Objects in or Near the Road – If a car, SUV or truck hits a curb or uneven pavement at speed, this can cause the vehicle to roll over.
• Sharp and Sudden Turns at Various Speeds – While most cars, SUVs and trucks are capable of turning sharply at relatively slow speeds, as a vehicle’s speed increases, the risk of the vehicle rolling over during a sharp and sudden turn increases as well.
• Exiting the Roadway – When cars, SUVs and trucks exit the roadway and drop off of low shoulders or fall down embankments, these types of accidents can present an extremely high risk for a rollover.
• Collisions with Other Vehicles – As noted above, the majority of all rollover accidents involve collisions with other vehicles. While it might seem like side-impact collisions would be the most likely to result in rollovers, the data show that front-end crashes cause more rollovers than side-impact accidents.

Now, what factors lead to these types of accidents? From issues with vehicles and roads to problems with how drivers operate their vehicles on the roadway, numerous factors can potentially play a role in a serious or fatal rollover accident. Below, our Fort Myers accident attorney discusses some of the most common factors.

1. Vehicle-Related Issues that Can Cause Rollover Accidents

As noted in the Consumer Reports quote above, many rollover accidents result from vehicle-related issues. This includes issues such as:

• High Center of Gravity – When a vehicle has a high center of gravity (i.e. when the engine is mounted high above the front axle), this increases the vehicle’s risk of rolling over.
• Improper Weight Distribution – Even if a vehicle’s center of gravity is relatively low, if the vehicle’s overall weight is not correctly distributed, this can lead to spins that are more likely to result in “trips,” exiting the roadway and other high-risk scenarios.
• Inadequate Rollover-Avoidance Technology – Many modern vehicles now have software that can modulate braking in order to reduce the risk of a rollover. However, older and less sophisticated vehicles still lack this technology.
• Narrow Track Width – Narrower vehicles are more prone to rolling over due to their shape. A narrow track width with a high center of gravity is a particularly dangerous combination.
• Equipment Failures – Tire blowouts, brake failures, electrical malfunctions and various other vehicle equipment failures can cause rollovers even when vehicles otherwise present relatively low rollover risks.
• Too Much Grip – While grip is essential for safety, especially in the rain, too much grip can actually be dangerous because it can increase the risk of a rollover.

Additionally, while inadequate in-vehicle safety features don’t cause rollover accidents, they are often to blame for severe and fatal injuries suffered in these accidents. This includes issues such as a lack of structural rigidity, faulty airbags and faulty seatbelts.

2. Road-Related Issues that Can Cause Rollover Accidents

Various types of road-related issues can cause (or contribute to causing) rollover accidents in Florida. Some of the main types of road issues that can factor into these accidents include:

• Road surfaces that are too grippy or slippery
• Narrow roads with high curbs or low shoulders
• Roads without guardrails to prevent cars, SUVs and trucks from going down embankments
• Road maintenance issues (i.e., failure to repair potholes)
• Poorly-marked construction zones
• Debris in the roadway

3. Driver-Related Issues that Can Cause Rollover Accidents

Our Fort Myers accident attorney is well aware that many rollover accidents are the result of driver negligence. While some drivers may be responsible for rolling over their own vehicles in some instances, in most cases,  another driver will be to blame. Some of the most common driver-related reasons for rollover accidents include:

• Alcohol or drug impairment
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Falling asleep behind the wheel
• Harsh braking
• Inattention
• Lack of familiarity with the road
• Navigating instead of paying attention to the road
• Oversteering or overcorrecting
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Sharp turns
• Speeding (or driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions)
• Tailgating
• Texting, talking on the phone or using social media behind the wheel

Commercial Truck Rollovers

In addition to passenger vehicle rollovers, commercial truck rollovers are also a persistent risk on Florida’s highways. When a commercial truck rolls over, this can create an extremely dangerous situation, and other motorists will often be helpless to keep themselves out of harm’s way.

In addition to all of the factors discussed above, commercial truck accidents involving rollovers can also result from cargo-related issues. For example, if a truck is overloaded on one side, or if a truck’s cargo shifts during transit, this imbalance can significantly increase the likelihood of the truck rolling over in the event that the truck driver loses control.

Seeking Financial Compensation for a Rollover Accident in Florida

Due to the numerous potential factors involved in rollover accidents, victims of these accidents (and grieving family members) will often be entitled to financial compensation. However, given the number of possible factors, proving liability can be a challenge. As a result, it is important to have your Fort Myers accident attorney conduct an investigation as soon after a rollover accident as possible. Depending on what this investigation uncovers, the parties that may be liable for a rollover accident include:

• A vehicle manufacturer if an issue with a vehicle’s design is to blame for the rollover or injuries sustained in the accident.
• A shop or dealership if negligent maintenance work or a faulty repair increased the risk of a rollover.
• A negligent driver’s insurance company If one driver’s negligence is a factor in a collision that causes another driver’s vehicle to roll over.
• A negligent driver’s employer if the negligent driver was working at the time of the collision.
• A government agency or contractor if an issue with the road caused (or contributed to causing) the rollover accident.

Are You Seeking Compensation for a Rollover Accident in Florida? Contact a Fort Myers Accident Attorney

If you have suffered severe injuries in a rollover accident or have tragically lost a family member in a rollover accident in Florida, you should speak with a Fort Myers accident attorney about your legal rights. To schedule a free and confidential consultation with lawyer Randall L. Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., give us a call at 239-337-7483 or 888-477-4839 or contact us online today.