Motor vehicle accidents can range in severity from bumper to bumper nudges causing no injuries to tragic multicar pileups with many fatalities and serious injuries. A rollover accident is one of the most dangerous forms of vehicle crashes. In fact, the fatality rate of rollover accidents is higher than any other type of auto accident.
The following is a list of some of the causes that can contribute to the advent of a fatal rollover accident:
- Driver behavior may play a profound role in fatal rollover accidents. Information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that single-vehicle crashes comprise almost 85 percent of fatalities in rollover-related accidents.
- The speed at which a vehicle travels can have an effect on the severity of a rollover. Excessive speed is involved in fatal rollovers at a rate of some 40 percent.
- Rural areas are the most likely setting for fatal rollovers. Almost three-fourths of rollovers that caused fatalities occurred in rural areas with the speed limit posted at 55 miles per hour and above.
- Driving under the influence can increase the likelihood of experiencing a rollover. Alcohol is involved in almost half of the rollover accidents that produce fatalities.
An investigation is warranted into any rollover accident that proves fatal. If a family loses a loved one, they should have answers as to what happened. A rollover could be the result of a driver having to alter his direction due to the actions of another vehicle. Likewise, the vehicle involved may have had a design flaw, making it prone to rollovers.
Regardless of the cause of a rollover fatality, the loved ones left behind may find the deceased’s insurance company reluctant to pay all that is due on a claim. In such a situation, a California attorney may be able to sort out all relevant details and provide representation.