Rollover rating SUVs explained

Rollovers are serious concerns for SUVs, vans, and other high-up motor vehicles. Rollovers are incredibly dangerous accidents. It is estimated that around 10,000 people a year is killed in rollover accidents. Rollovers are dangerous because people can be killed in two instances, the initial crash and getting crushed if the vehicle ends up upside down.

For vehicles, there are two kinds of ratings that matter regarding rollovers. This post will go over the basics of the dangers of rollovers and how safety experts rate vehicles.

First, it is the rollover ratio of the car, which directly correlates to the likelihood that a car will flip over. The rollover ratio is based on the center of gravity of the vehicle, the higher the center of gravity, the more likely it will rollover. Second, the roof strength rating. Cars with good roof strength can support the weight of the vehicle on the roof, vehicles with fewer ratings are unable to bear the weight for a significant period.

The Institute for Highway Safety releases the results of roof strength tests for a variety of SUVs. SUVs that are rated as good have roof strengths that are twice the strength of minimum federal safety standards. The minimum standard is that the roof must support the weight of the vehicle for a few minutes.

The middle rating is met by vehicles which fulfill but do not exceed federal guidelines. Finally, the poor rating is occupied by vehicles which had a spotty record of success under the rollover tests.

Vehicle rollovers are dangerous accidents that often result in serious injuries. If you were involved in a rollover accident, you might want to speak to a lawyer at your earliest convenience. The injuries that you and your passengers sustained are unlikely to be fully covered by the average insurance policy. An attorney can help you prepare for the next step to secure compensation to pay for your current and future medical bills.