Nearly one third of all the people who lose their lives in traffic crashes in a year’s time did so in a rollover car accident. These types of crashes account for about one in every five car crash deaths, and about a third of all rollovers result in a fatality.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a rollover car accident in Michigan, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you and your family win the pain and suffering compensation and money damages you are legally entitled to.
Car accidents that end in a rollover are often catastrophic, resulting in death or serious injury.
Nearly one third of all the people who lose their lives in traffic crashes in a year’s time did so in a rollover car accident.
Approximately 3% of all rollover crashes are fatal and approximately 62% involve serious injuries.
Speeding is a common cause of a rollover crash, but there are several other causes such as distracted or reckless driving and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, vehicles with a high center of gravity, too much tire grip and excess cargo are also at risk for a rollover crash.
What is a rollover car accident?
A rollover accident is a car accident where a vehicle tips over onto its side or rolls completely over. In some of these crashes, a car or truck may roll over several times before it comes to a complete stop.
Most rollover car accidents occur when a car hits another object that shifts the vehicle’s weight to one side, causing it to roll before it can regain its balance. However, a rollover can happen without impact because of factors such as speeding. If you speed around a curve or take a turn too fast, the tires can lose their grip on the road, leading to a vehicle rollover.
There are two types
- Tripped rollover – This type of rollover crash occurs when a vehicle comes into contact with an object that causes it to roll. This can be another vehicle, a curb, or even soft ground. Tripped rollovers are the most common type of rollover crash.
- Untripped rollover – This type of rollover crash occurs when a vehicle rolls over despite not coming into contact with another object. Top-heavy vehicles are at a higher risk for untripped rollovers, especially when they travel at high speeds. Untripped rollovers are less common, but equally dangerous.
Rollover car accident statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 1.4% of traffic crashes in the U.S. involved a rollover car accident. In 2022, there were 81,596 rollover collisions which was 1.4% of the overall total of 5,930,496 collisions throughout the U.S., according to NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts. Of the total 81,596 rollover collisions in the U.S. in 2022, 2,735 were fatal and 50,327 involved injuries.
Nearly 29% of all passenger vehicle deaths in the U.S. in 2022 were caused by rollover traffic crashes, according to NHTSA. There were 7,312 rollover crash fatalities in the U.S. in 2022 and 25,420 overall traffic deaths. 2022 is the most current year for which data is publicly available.
The vehicles with the highest percentage of rollover deaths, according to NHTSA, were:
- Pickups – 39%
- SUVs – 36%
- Vans – 23%
- Passenger cars – 21%
Odds of surviving a rollover car accident
Your odds of surviving a rollover car accident are likely around 97% given that only approximately 3% of rollover crashes in the U.S. in 2022 were fatal, according to NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts.
NHTSA also reports that the passenger vehicle occupant fatality is 2.62 per 100,000 registered vehicles for vehicles that are involved in rollover crashes, according to NHTSA.
Your odds of surviving a rollover crash can be significantly increased depending on how you react during the crash.
Taking the following steps will greatly increase your chance of survival and lessen the odds of catastrophic injuries:
- Ready yourself for the rollover – If your vehicle begins to tip and you suspect it is about to roll over, immediately remove your feet from the pedals to prevent ankle breakage. Release the steering wheel, crossing your arms against your chest as you press your body deep into the seat. Make sure not to lean forward when the car rolls, as this can increase the occurrence of arm breaks and traumatic brain injury.
- Remain calm & check for injuries – When the car has come to a stop, brace your feet against the floor to stabilize your body and assess the damage to yourself and your passengers. Everyone should run their hands across their head/hair checking for broken glass, blood or severe injury that may not be immediately noticed in the event of traumatic incident. If anyone is injured, do not move them. Call 911 immediately.
- Turn off the engine – If you landed upside down after a rollover car accident, turn off your engine immediately.
- Exit the vehicle – If you land upside-down and you appear to be uninjured, reach toward your ceiling, bracing yourself with one hand while stabilizing your feet on the floor of the vehicle, and then undo your seatbelt. Be extremely careful, as this is where the majority of post-rollover injuries occur. Check your windows to determine the safest exit and crawl towards it. If the door does not open, you’ll need to either roll down or break a window, being careful to clear away any glass shards or debris before exiting. Once you’re free of the car, assist any passengers with their exit and then move as quickly as possible away from the vehicle, in case of a possible fuel leak, which could cause an explosion.
- Stay clear of traffic – Many drivers have survived rollovers only to be hit by oncoming traffic as they exit the vehicle. Stay off the road and on the shoulder, as far from traffic as possible.
Common causes
- Speeding is the most common cause of a rollover (40%). Other factors include:
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Aggressive
- Vehicles with a high center of gravity – Any vehicle can roll over, but these vehicles increase the risk. SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and commercial trucks are more likely to be involved in a rollover than a typical passenger vehicle. Top-heavy vehicles are also more likely to roll over without a collision involved.
- Hazardous road conditions – Slick roads greatly increase the chances of a rollover crash. In addition, debris, malfunctioning traffic signals, and poorly designed roads also increase the danger. Curvy roads or exits, in conjunction with excessive speed, alcohol use, or driving a top-heavy vehicle can cause rollover crashes as well.
- Tire Grip – Too much tire grip can lead to excessive sideways force leading to a rollover crash, as can tires with little or no tread.
- Excess cargo – Overloading a vehicle makes it harder to maneuver. Improper loading can cause the vehicle’s center of gravity to change, and the vehicle can be harder to control. Uneven weight distribution can cause the vehicle to flip in cases where the same kind of driving would not normally end in a rollover.
- Mechanical failure –Faulty airbags, tire failure, poor suspension system design, defective brakes, and other mechanical issues can lead to a rollover. If the vehicle was designed in a way that contributed to your rollover crash injuries, the manufacturer can be held responsible.
Rollover car accident injuries
Rollover car accidents result in many of the same injuries as other crashes, but there are certain injuries that are more common in a rollover, including:
- Ejection injuries – Unrestrained occupants are at a high risk of being partially or completely ejected from the vehicle during a rollover, which can result in severe injuries or fatalities.
- Impact injuries – Occupants can sustain injuries from hitting the interior surfaces of the vehicle, such as the roof, windows, or other passengers, as the vehicle rolls. Head, neck, spinal, and limb injuries are common.
- Crush Injuries – The vehicle’s roof can collapse or deform during a rollover, potentially causing severe crush injuries to the occupants.
- Seat Belt Injuries – Seat belts are crucial for preventing ejection and reducing the severity of injuries, but they can also cause injuries, such as chest or abdominal trauma, especially if not worn properly.
- Fatalities – Rollover crashes are often fatal, especially if the vehicle rolls multiple times or if occupants are ejected or sustain severe injuries.
Michigan rollover car accident settlements
Our Michigan attorneys have the skill, experience and specialized knowledge to fight to win rollover car accident settlements for our clients that reflect the full value of their cases.
At Michigan Auto Law, we specialize in car and truck crash cases, and we intentionally take fewer cases than other personal injury attorneys so we can focus more on our clients. This strategy pays off for the people we are honored to represent and help.
Our reputation for taking cases to trial and our track record of successful results for our clients allows our experienced motor vehicle crash attorneys to settle cases faster and for significantly more money than other personal injury lawyers and law firms who do not have this proven record of success protecting automobile crash victims. In fact, our attorneys have won the largest auto and truck settlement of any Michigan lawyer or law firm.
Injured in a rollover car accident in Michigan and need a lawyer? Call Michigan Auto Law now!
If you or a loved one was injured in a rollover car accident in Michigan and you have concerns and questions about your legal rights to pain and suffering compensation, economic damages and auto No-Fault insurance benefits, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.
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More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle crashes than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck crash and car crash settlement in the state.
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