Rollover Accidents

The love affair Americans have with large vehicles, in particular trucks and SUVs, has led to a large number of rollover accidents. Rollover accidents can be caused by driver error, poor road design, or poor vehicle design.

Rollovers are more common in large vehicles like trucks and sport utility vehicles because these cars have a higher center of gravity. The center of gravity of any car is determined by looking at the width of the car between the wheels and comparing it to the overall height of the car. If the car has a wide wheelbase and is short, it will have a low center of gravity and will not be too inclined to roll over. If the car, on the other hand, has a relatively narrow wheelbase and is tall, it will be much more likely to roll.

The chance of a rollover accident is the deadliest risk facing the drivers and occupants of SUVs, minivans, and trucks. Annually, according to the NHTSA, or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 280,000 rollover accidents reported. Roughly 10,000 people die in these accidents.

While ordinary SUVs and trucks face the hazard of rolling over, when a car has four-wheel drive added, it makes the risk even greater. Vehicles that have four-wheel drive are frequently designed to go off of the paved roads. To do this and preserve the undercarriage of the car, manufacturers commonly lift the car up higher to prevent rocks and branches from damaging the bottom. When a vehicle is raised, however, without expanding its wheelbase, its center of gravity is raised. This in turn increases the chances that the car will roll over.

Contact a Wisconsin Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a rollover accident, contact the Wisconsin car accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. at 800-242-2874.