Resuming 6 Myths about Rollover Accidents Debunked (Pt. 1), here, we will point out the facts behind some more common misconceptions about these types of traffic accidents.
More Rollover Accident Myths Dispelled
Myth 3 – Rollovers tend to happen during non-routine driving behaviors.
Here’s why. Contact our St Louis car accident lawyer
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Fact – Not 90 percent of the time, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). In fact, what the NHTSA has found is that, in about 9 out of every 10 rollovers, drivers were involved in routine driving maneuvers, such as driving straight or negotiating a curve, immediately prior to crashing.
This seems to further back up the finding that driver behaviors, such as the following, often contribute to rollover accidents:
- Driver inattention and distraction, which can cause motorists to drive off of roadways, sideswipe guardrails, etc., increasing their risk of rollovers
- Driver intoxication, which slows reaction times and can lead to drivers having to slam on the brakes and/or swerve at the last minute, increasing their risk of rollovers
- Failure to comply with traffic laws by, for instance, speeding – In fact, speeding alone is a factor in about 40 percent of all fatal rollover accidents, according to the NHTSA.
Myth 4 – Rollovers are always caused by driver behavior.
Fact – In light of the last fact we discussed, it may be convenient to conclude that driver behavior and negligence is the only cause of these collisions. This, however, is not necessarily the case. While driver negligence is a big factor in causing many rollover accidents, it’s important to be aware of the fact that these crashes can be caused by other factors and circumstances, only some of which can include:
- The design of the vehicle, as taller, narrower vehicles (such as SUVs or light trucks) with higher centers of gravity are far more likely to roll over
- The equipment on the vehicle, as things like defective tires, faulty brakes, and other defective vehicle equipment can also contribute to rollover accidents (even when motorists are driving as safely as possible)
- The roadway conditions, as issues like potholes, a lack of guardrails, etc. can also contribute to (or intensify) rollover accidents.
Don’t miss the final installment of this blog series for some more important facts about rollover accidents.
St Louis Car Accident Lawyer at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law
Have you been injured in a rollover accident or in any type of motor vehicle accident? If so, it’s time to contact an experienced St Louis car accident injury lawyer at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law.
Since 1993, our lawyers have been successfully representing our clients in various areas of personal injury litigation, including motor vehicle accident cases. Our unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice in every case we handle means that we will work relentlessly to help our clients achieve the best possible outcomes to their cases.
To find out more about how we can help you, set up a free initial consult with us. You can schedule this meeting by emailing us using the form at the right-hand side of the screen and/or calling us at 573-333-3333 for our Missouri office or at 618-888-8888 for our Illinois office.
