The Dangers of SUV Rollover Accidents

SUVrollover accidents are frequently very serious, resulting in severeinjuries and high levels of fatalities. Due to the increased popularity of SUVsover the past 10-15 years, these accidents have been occurring more frequentlyeach year.

An SUV rollover accident takes place when the vehicle turnsover on its side or roof. These accidents are quite common when drivers losecontrol of their vehicles due to adverse road conditions or when swerving toavoid an accident.

SUV rollover accidents are most common when the driver ismaking a sharp turn at very high speeds. Due to their high center of gravityand narrow tire track, SUVs are much more likely to be involved in rolloveraccidents than other vehicles.

SUV Rollover Facts

Injuries sustained in SUV rollover accidents are often verysevere. Some of the most common injuries from rollover accidents include:

·        Brain injuries

·        Spinal cord injuries

·        Broken bones

·        Death

These accidents are much more common with SUVs than withother vehicles. Roughly 35% of all fatal SUV accidents involve rollovercrashes, while only 15% of fatal autoaccidents are the result of a rollover.

The following facts shed some insight into the seriousnessof these accidents:

·        There are approximately 10,000 fatalities a yearthat are the result of a rollover accident. Of these, over 60% involve SUVs.

·        Brain injuries are the most common injurysustained in SUV rollover accidents.

·        Rollover accidents result in serious injuries36% more often than non-rollover accidents.

·        Approximately 63% of rollover fatalities are theresult of vehicle ejections. Survivors of vehicle ejections often sufferserious brain injuries.

·        More than 90% of all SUV rollover accidents andabout 80% of all rollover fatalities are the result of single vehicleaccidents.

·        Roughly 55% of all fatalities caused by singlevehicle accidents are the result of a rollover.

SUV Design Defects

Many SUV rollovers are the result of design defects in thevehicles. Often, these defects make injuries caused by these accidents muchworse. Design defects that contribute to the severity of rollover accidentsinclude:

·        Vehicles with an overly high center of gravity

·        Inadequate roof structure to prevent roofbuckling in the event of a rollover

·        Defective tires

·        Defective door latches which increase thelikelihood of vehicle ejections

·        Overly narrow tire tracks

When you have been severely injured in a rollover accidentcaused by a defective automobile, the vehicle manufacturer may be held liablefor your damages. It is important to consult an experienced auto accident lawyer todetermine if you have a valid claim against the manufacturer.