What makes an sport utility vehicle roll over?

Motor Vehicle Accidents,Our Blog | September 4, 2018

A rollover accident is one of the most dangerous. People who don’t wear seat belts could be thrown around the vehicle. Even if everyone is wearing them, there is a potential for the vehicle to be crushed inward, pinning people in place and trapping them when they’re most in need of medical care.

One of the most important things to know about rollover vehicle crashes is why they happen. Any vehicle can roll over given the right circumstances, but sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are particularly prone due to their height and width.

What makes an SUV likely to roll over?

The first reason is that the vehicle is tall and narrow. It’s more susceptible to wind and forces that throw it off balance than a car. The top-heavy vehicle begins to tip, and once it reaches the tipping point, falls over completely.

In single-vehicle crashes, it’s not usually a steering problem that leads to a rollover accident. Instead, the vehicle usually hits something that causes it to tip. For instance, hitting the curb at the right angle could cause the vehicle to tip up, and its top-heavy body then continues that motion until the vehicle tips onto its side or rolls over.

How can you survive a rollover accident?

The best way to survive is to wear your seat belt and slow down. You should also make sure that you don’t overload an SUV, especially when adding items to the top of the vehicle. Additionally, check your tires and make sure they are inflated correctly at all times.

These are a few things to know about rollovers. They’re not as common as they used to be, but they are still a risk to drivers. If you’re involved in one that’s the fault of another driver, find out what your legal options are.