> Oakland Rollover Accident Attorney
Rollover accidents are automobile accidents in which the automobile either turns on its roof or its side during the accident. Although you may believe that rollovers are uncommon, some statistics show that up to 35 percent of all automobile accident fatalities occur in rollover accidents.
You may remember in past years, especially the 1990’s and early 2000’s, SUVs were prone to rolling over in accidents. SUVs were fairly new on the market at that time, and were designed differently than they are now. For example, in 2001 SUV rollover accidents accounted for just three percent of all U.S. automobile accidents, but caused almost one-third of all vehicle-occupant fatalities. Passengers in older model SUVs were over three times more likely to die as a result of a rollover than as an occupant in a passenger car.
SUV Car Accident Safety Improvements
Fortunately, SUVs are much safer now. In fact, SUVs now have one of the lowest crash death rates and are even safer than large cars. The only vehicle on the market now that is safer than an SUV is a minivan. Between 2006 and 2009, drivers in newer SUVs suffered an average 28 deaths per million vehicles, whereas the death rate for cars was double that.
There are a lot of new technology features that have made SUVs, as well as other vehicles, less likely to roll over in an accident. Designs of SUVs and other vehicles have changed over the years to make them more stable and less likely to flip. In addition, electronic stability control, which is a computer system that helps drivers maintain control on wet roads and during sudden maneuvers, is available on all SUVs sold in the United States now. More SUVs and other vehicles have had their roofs enforced so that they don’t collapse or get crushed in if the vehicle rolls over.
Common Cause of Rollover Accidents
Despite all these technology changes, rollover incidents still occur. In fact, about 11,000 fatal rollover accidents happen every year in the U.S. Often, these accidents will occur in older vehicles without modern safety features. Most rollover accidents are caused when a vehicle runs off the road. A driver may choose to overcorrect their steering, which can result in a rollover. Poor weather conditions, such as icy roads, can also cause a vehicle to run off the road, which can result in a rollover. It’s critical that no matter what vehicle you are riding in, you always buckle up. In some rollover accidents the occupant is seriously injured not when the vehicle rolls over, but when he or she is thrown out of the vehicle because of a failure to buckle up.
What To Do After A Rollover Crash
If you are involved in a rollover crash, your injuries could be catastrophic. Because in many rollovers the roof crushes inward, a rollover crash can result in brain damage, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, or death. If you are injured or a loved one is killed in a rollover accident, you have legal rights. You may have a potential legal case against the driver of the vehicle in which you were riding. If another vehicle caused the accident, the driver of that vehicle may be legally responsible. Also, if the accident was caused because of a bad vehicle design, such as the older model SUVs, the manufacturer may be legally responsible. If the accident was made worse by a defective design, such as if the driver was at fault for the rollover, but the roof was flimsy and crushed, causing injuries, the manufacturer can be held liable in that situation also.
Contact Oakland Car Accident Attorneys at Liberty Law
At Liberty Law, Micha Star Liberty believes that SUV and other automobile manufacturers should be held responsible when vehicle defects cause serious injuries in a rollover accident. If you’re in the Oakland-San Francisco area, contact Liberty Law, Oakland’s personal injury attorneys, at 510-645-1000 or 415-896-1000. She works with clients throughout the San Francisco area, including Tracy, Fairfield, Berkeley and Hayward. Contact us today for a free consultation.
