The news is littered with reports of rollover crashes throughout the sunshine state: one person died and 19 were injured in a pile-up on the Turnpike in Osceola County in April when a tire on a van blew out and caused the vehicle to roll over several times. One person was killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash in June on the Turnpike near Fort Pierce. The same month, a man was killed in a crash in Lauderhill when he rolled over multiple times and collided into a palm tree.
Most recently, a 16-year-old girl was killed and her two companions seriously injured in a rollover crash in Ft. Lauderdale in the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 13, according to reports in the Sun Sentinel.
Although only four percent of all crashes are rollovers, they are particularly dangerous. Rollover crashes account for one-third of all occupant fatalities. More than 280,000 rollover accidents are reported each year, claiming more than 10,000 lives annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Minivans, pickups and SUVs are at greater risk of rollovers because they often have a higher center of gravity.
There are two types of rollover accidents: tripped and non-tripped. A tripped rollover occurs when a vehicle suddenly leaves the road and slides sideways. This type accounts for 95 percent of single vehicle rollover accidents. Tripped rollovers typically occur on steep slopes, on soft soil or by crashing into a guardrail. Non-tripped crashes are the result of steering input, speed, and friction with the ground.
The State of Florida’s product liability law mandates that the manufacturer be responsible for installing safety features to prevent rollover accidents. If the manufacturer fails to follow the safety recommendations or warn consumers of the potential risks, then they can be held liable for compensating the injured victim in the event of a rollover crash.
Some rollover accidents are caused by a manufacturing defect. If a vehicle is not made according to code, or if an automotive part malfunctions, the manufacturer is liable for the injuries caused by the rollover accident.
Roof crush is a major cause of rollover deaths and injuries. When a vehicle’s roof is crushed during a rollover, the survival space for occupants is greatly limited or eliminated altogether, so that the heads and spines of occupants come into contact with the roof. In addition, roof crush can open ejection portals, making windows and the windshield area very large and leading to ejection of the occupants, which is frequently fatal.
Rollover accidents also can be caused by human error, such as talking or texting while driving, speeding, being intoxicated, not driving responsibly, or just not being attentive. If a rollover accident is caused by driver negligence, the driver is liable for all damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident due to the negligence of another, whether by the driver of the vehicle or the vehicle’s manufacturer, you may be eligible for legal recourse. It is imperative for injury victims to seek legal advice from an experienced rollover accident attorney.
The news is littered with reports of rollover crashes throughout the sunshine state: one person died and 19 were injured in a pile-up on the Turnpike in Osceola County in April when a tire on a van blew out and caused the vehicle to roll over several times. One person was killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash in June on the Turnpike near Fort Pierce. The same month, a man was killed in a crash in Lauderhill when he rolled over multiple times and collided into a palm tree.
Most recently, a 16-year-old girl was killed and her two companions seriously injured in a rollover crash in Ft. Lauderdale in the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 13, according to reports in the Sun Sentinel.
Although only four percent of all crashes are rollovers, they are particularly dangerous. Rollover crashes account for one-third of all occupant fatalities. More than 280,000 rollover accidents are reported each year, claiming more than 10,000 lives annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Minivans, pickups and SUVs are at greater risk of rollovers because they often have a higher center of gravity.
There are two types of rollover accidents: tripped and non-tripped. A tripped rollover occurs when a vehicle suddenly leaves the road and slides sideways. This type accounts for 95 percent of single vehicle rollover accidents. Tripped rollovers typically occur on steep slopes, on soft soil or by crashing into a guardrail. Non-tripped crashes are the result of steering input, speed, and friction with the ground.
The State of Florida’s product liability law mandates that the manufacturer be responsible for installing safety features to prevent rollover accidents. If the manufacturer fails to follow the safety recommendations or warn consumers of the potential risks, then they can be held liable for compensating the injured victim in the event of a rollover crash.
Some rollover accidents are caused by a manufacturing defect. If a vehicle is not made according to code, or if an automotive part malfunctions, the manufacturer is liable for the injuries caused by the rollover accident.
Roof crush is a major cause of rollover deaths and injuries. When a vehicle’s roof is crushed during a rollover, the survival space for occupants is greatly limited or eliminated altogether, so that the heads and spines of occupants come into contact with the roof. In addition, roof crush can open ejection portals, making windows and the windshield area very large and leading to ejection of the occupants, which is frequently fatal.
Rollover accidents also can be caused by human error, such as talking or texting while driving, speeding, being intoxicated, not driving responsibly, or just not being attentive. If a rollover accident is caused by driver negligence, the driver is liable for all damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident due to the negligence of another, whether by the driver of the vehicle or the vehicle’s manufacturer, you may be eligible for legal recourse. It is imperative for injury victims to seek legal advice from an experienced rollover accident attorney.
Since 1974 The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic has obtained substantial verdicts and settlements on behalf of people injured in vehicle accidents. We have the skill and experience to help you.
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