Vehicle rollover accidents can take a significant toll on the health and well-being of drivers and passengers, and an auto accident that involves an SUV may require extensive investigation.  Personal injury lawyers and attorneys that specialize in auto accidents and vehicle rollover cases can determine the cause of the accident, along with the eligibility for compensation and damages.

Why Are SUV Rollover Accidents So Common?

Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are some of the most unstable types of vehicles on the road today, and are particularly vulnerable to rollover accidents and vehicle collisions.  Single-vehicle rollover accidents accounted for almost 50 percent of driver deaths in 2002. In contrast,  36 percent of deaths were a result of pickup trucks, while 20 percent were from auto accidents.  These statistics are growing each year with the increased preference for SUV over standard and mid-sized vehicles. Many consumers believe that they are safer in these oversized vehicles, but they are actually more vulnerable to accidents due to roof  and pillar collapses and weak construction that often result in chronic injury.  As a result, more and more people seek appropriate representation and legal resources to manage their situation. Contacting an SUV rollover attorney is the first step in determining if you or a family member is eligible for compensation from an SUV rollover accident or vehicle manufacturer.

SUV Rollover Accident Statistics

The increasing rate of SUV rollover accidents and crashes is alarming, and many consumer groups advocate removing many SUV vehicles from the road completely. Vehicle rollover crashes are especially serious because they can result in head injuries that can be fatal. Brain damage and head trauma are a common concern with vehicle crashes, and an SUV rollover accident increases this risk tenfold.  Other important statistics highlight the dangers associated with a vehicle rollover, particularly an SUV:

• A vehicle rollover is one of the most dangerous types of vehicle crashes because of the higher risk of ejection from the driver or passenger’s seat
• Over 90% of rollovers occur after a driver runs off the road
• Adding weight to the SUV actually increases the risk of an SUV rollover and decreases stability
• Vehicle rollover crashes account for almost half of all single-vehicle crash deaths (NHTSA)
• Over 90 percent of passenger vehicle rollover crashes are single-vehicle crashes. (NHTSA)
• The rate of serious injury in a passenger vehicle rollover crash is 36 percent higher than a crash where there is no vehicle rollover (NHTSA)
• There are over 22 million SUV’s on the road today, and sales have rocketed to account to over 25 percent of all new-vehicle purchases in the United States
• Over 12,000 people died from an SUV rollover incident in 2004

Overall, sport utility vehicles have the highest rate of death and are almost three times more likely to occur than driving in a standard mid-sized vehicle.  The most common SUV rollover crashes occur in a Ford Explorer, Isuzu Rodeo, Honda Passport, and Toyota 4 Runner.

Key Reasons for an SUV Rollover Accident

There are many risks involved in driving a sport utility vehicle (SU), and these can be reduced with appropriate driving measures, experience, and a basic understanding of the construction of an SUV.  SUVs have a higher center of gravity than other vehicles, putting them at a much higher risk for rollovers.  Extra weight in the vehicle, whether it is from additional passengers or simply transporting equipment, also makes the SUV unstable. 

Roll protection and roll bars are an important element of SUV vehicles.  Many consumers choose to purchase an off-road vehicle that has roll bars, but remove them since they are planning on using it as a family car only.  However, the removal of roll bars puts the SUV at a much higher risk for an accident that can even prove to be fatal.  Ultimately, an SUV is a multipurpose passenger car that maneuvers very differently than a standard vehicle.  Wearing a seatbelt and taking extra precautions while driving do not necessarily result in a lower risk for an auto accident. 

If you, a friend, or a loved one have been a victim of an SUV rollover accident, working with an SUV rollover attorney can help you determine the basis for your case, and pursue necessary litigation.  An auto accident doesn’t have to leave you with financial hardship or extensive medical concerns.  Contact Johnson Law Group to work with an SUV rollover attorney who can help you through every step of the litigation process contact can be easily made by e-mail or callingl Nick Johnson 1-888-311-5522.

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