Remember when people drove two types of vehicles: a truck or a car? Sure, there were a lot of types of cars – coupes, sedans, station wagons, etc. – but they all kind of looked the same. They had 2 or 4 doors, were relatively low to the ground, and didn’t have a bed in the back. Over the last few decades, though, we’ve seen the number of vans, minivans, SUVs and extended-cab pickup trucks increase.

These larger vehicles are more susceptible to rolling over when they’re in a crash or when they collide with another object or car. Rollover accidents are among the most deadly there are; SaferCar.gov reports that while only about 2% of car crashes are rollover accidents, they account “for nearly 35% of all deaths from passenger vehicle crashes.”

What are rollover crashes?

Rollover crashes are those where the vehicle rolled over or turned over on its side. Unlike most car accidents, rollover crashes typically involve just one vehicle, not multiple vehicles. They also generally involve SUVs, vans, pickup trucks, and the like. These vehicles are taller, which affords a better view of the road, but they’re usually narrower, too. Since those types of vehicles have a higher center of gravity, and center of gravity is an important factor in rollover crashes, you’re more likely to roll in one of them then you are in a regular sedan.

What causes a rollover accident?

Like other vehicle crashes, rollover crashes result from a variety of causes and factors. Because most rollovers (more than 90%) are single-car crashes, the primary cause is driver error. Most of the time, they happen because of:

• Vehicle speed
• Vehicle stability
• Alcohol (drunk drivers vs. sober drivers)
• Bad road engineering
• Distracted driving
• Reckless driving
• Bad weather
• Vehicle failure

Common injuries of rollover crash victims

Victims of rollover crashes suffer a wide variety of injuries, if they even survive the car accident. Because people usually feel safer in a big car, the drivers and their passengers are less likely, statistically, to wear their seatbelts – a choice that can turn a less serious injury into a life-changing one. The most common injuries that occur as a result of a rollover collision include:

• Head, neck and shoulder injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries, often leading to paralysis
• Lacerations leading to permanent scarring or disfigurement, often from the person being thrown from the car
• Crushing injuries
• Internal organ punctures
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Loss of limb

A rollover collision can lead to lifelong pain and suffering, permanent brain damage or the death of your loved one.

If you were injured in a rollover crash, turn to the Sevierville car accident attorneys at the Law Office of Bryan E. Delius. We have the experience to help you after you or your loved one has sustained a serious injury. For more information, call us at (865) 428-8780 or fill out our contact form. We are proud to serve Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Seymour and Pigeon Forge.