How Can I Prevent Rollover Accidents?

August 30, 2016

All vehicles are capable of rollover accidents, but some are more likely to roll over than others are. SUVs, trucks, and other vehicles with high centers of gravity are usually associated with injurious rollover accidents. These accidents often include only one vehicle and serve as the cause of serious injuries or death.

Whether you drive a vehicle with a high risk for rollover accidents or a relatively safe vehicle, you can take steps to reduce your risk of an accident. Here are some of the most useful tips for preventing rollover accidents:

Don’t engage in distracted driving. Texting while driving is only one form of distracted driving that can contribute to a serious accident. If you’re on the road, keep distractions to an absolute minimum. Eat inside a fast food restaurant, pull over if you need to call someone, and avoid changing your radio station after every song. Distracted driving may prevent you from seeing a hazard in the road or cause you to drive off the road completely, both of which can contribute to a rollover accident.

Research before you buy a vehicle. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration uses a rollover ratings system to assess the safety of new cars as a component of its New Car Assessment Program. Evaluate all safety ratings before you invest in a new vehicle. Look for newer vehicles to gain the latest benefits from safety and technological advancement.

Practice handling your vehicle. Every vehicle handles differently. Take some time to get used to driving a vehicle before you resume your standard driving practices and speeds. Pay close attention to how a vehicle handles on curves as well as its blind spots. Feeling the vehicle move along the roadway will help you gain an understanding for how to maneuver in difficult situations.

Maintain your vehicle according to current recommendations. Always take your vehicle in for recall work and pay close attention to tire health. Tire grip can play a crucial role in preventing or contributing to a rollover accident. A well-maintained vehicle is more likely to respond accordingly to your driving habits and reduce the risk of rollover incidents.

Try not to panic. Rollovers are more likely to occur when drivers oversteer to correct their course. Going off the edge of the road shouldn’t elicit panic. If you’re concerned about overcorrecting during an emergency, practice going off and back onto the road in a safe and controlled environment, such as a driveway or a parking lot.

Use caution on rural roadways. Most Texans have experience driving in rural areas around the state. Unfortunately, three-quarters of rollover incidents happen on rural roadways. Speed is often a factor, as is unfamiliarity with the area. Slow down and pay attention when you drive in new places and down country roads. Arriving a few minutes early isn’t worth the risk of a deadly rollover accident.

Wear a seatbelt. While this may not prevent a rollover incident, it will save your life in the event of one. Ask all passengers in the vehicle to wear a seatbelt at all times. During any crash, you’re more likely to die if you are thrown from the vehicle.

Manage your driving according to road conditions. Ice, rain, and other hazardous road conditions can increase the risk of all types of accidents. Instead of trying to maintain your typical speed and driving style, use additional caution when the roads are more dangerous.

Single- and multiple-vehicle accidents involving rollovers are scary, and many are preventable. As a driver, you can reduce the risk of incidents and fatalities significantly. However, a driver isn’t always responsible for a rollover accident. Vehicle manufacturers may also bear liability. If you’re a driver or a passenger in a vehicle rollover case, reach out to a personal injury attorney to learn more.

The post How Can I Prevent Rollover Accidents? appeared first on GES Injury Attorneys.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

View All Blog Posts

Every state limits the amount of time you have to file a claim.

Don't Delay.

Contact the Attorneys at Gordon & Elias, LLP Today to preserve your right to a recovery.