According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollover crashes account for approximately 9,063 deaths annually. They also are attributed to more than 200,000 non-fatal injuries every year. Because of the design of light vehicle trucks (LTVs) – such as sport utility vehicles, pickups and vans – they are 127 percent more likely to be involved in a rollover accident per registered vehicle when compared their passenger car counterparts.
NHTSA Rollover Crash Rule
In 2012, the NHTSA announced groundbreaking federally imposed safety standards that required electronic stability control (ESC) systems on all large commercial trucks, motor coaches as well as large buses. The aim of the new regulation was to prevent more than half of rollover crashes annually as well as reduce loss-of-control crashes by about 14 percent. According to NHTSA reports, the implementation of this rule has saved almost 6,200 lives.
If a rollover crash occurs and no federal laws have been violated, proof of negligence or carelessness may support a personal injury case in South Carolina. Examples of these include driver fatigue or distraction, negligent maintenance of the vehicle, or negligent hiring.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a rollover crash, contact an experienced Charleston car accident attorney today to learn about what compensation to which you may be entitled.
Common Causes of Rollover Crashes
Although a multitude of factors may contribute to a car accident, specifically a rollover crash, some factors that may cause these types of incidents include, but are not limited to:
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Driver error – drowsiness, speeding, failure to anticipate hazardous conditions, over correction in steering, impaired driving and distraction.
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Vehicle – distance between wheels on the same axle, center of gravity, wheelbase, vehicle weight, and vehicle malfunction and/or defect.
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Road conditions – icy or slippery roads, drop-offs, soft shoulders that are lower than the road’s surface, and roadway barrier design.
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Cargo load – too many passengers, unevenly distributed cargo, or full load altering the vehicle’s center of gravity.
According to the NHTSA, 40 percent of rollover crashes that end in fatalities are attributed to driver speeding. Moreover, approximately 75 percent of fatal rollover crashes occurred in areas where the posted speed limit is 55 MPH or more. An alarming 90 percent of fatal, single-vehicle, rollover crashes involved routine driving maneuvers such as turning a curve or driving on a straight road.
Experienced Charleston Rollover Crash Attorneys
No two injury cases are the same. For this reason, it is important to retain a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer if you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident. The legal professionals and staff at Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC will assess your injury claim and provide competent legal advice.