We’ve probably all seen some kind of news report that involved a big truck rolling over onto the highway and causing severe injuries to, not just the truck driver, but other vehicle occupants on the road.
While rollovers are fairly uncommon compared to other types of crashes, they do cause more devastation. Just take a look at this statistic from Consumer Reports: while rollovers only occur in about 3% of on-road collisions, they account for about 30% of all fatalities involving passenger vehicle occupants.
To prevent such a disaster, it’s crucial to know what causes rollover truck accidents, the dangers of these situations, and how they can be avoided altogether.
The Main Causes of Rollover Truck Accidents
At the most basic level, rollovers occur most frequently when certain factors are present, such as:
- Top-Heavy Vehicles. Vehicles that are taller and narrower, such as many commercial trucks, have a higher center of gravity and are more prone to losing balance and tipping over.
- Speeding. Driving too fast, especially in large trucks, can make it difficult to brake and lead to the driver making overcorrections or hitting curbs or potholes; such maneuvers can cause the truck to rollover.
- Tire Problems. Too little tire grip can cause the truck to lose traction with the road, while too much grip can cause the truck to excessively sway.
- Poor Weather Conditions. Many truck accidents, including rollovers, occur during rainfall or on wet pavement because there is less road traction and an increased risk of skids.
- Curved Ramps or Exits. Sharp turns, especially in combination with speeding, can cause the truck to swing outward and tip over.
These factors alone don’t cause rollover accidents. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the truck driver to know how to handle certain road conditions and practice safe driving. Some of the most common scenarios of rollovers caused by driver error include:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while impaired
- Aggressive driving
How Truck Drivers Can Avoid Rollovers
Rollover truck accidents often don’t just affect the one singular truck. In many instances, these events can result in multi-vehicle car accidents or car pile-ups. When it comes to preventing these accidents, it all comes back to the basics. Truck drivers should always heed the following precautions and safe driving principles:
- Watch your speed.
- Always drive sober.
- Stay focused on the road and do not drive while distracted.
- Take breaks and do not drive while drowsy.
- Get preventative maintenance and truck inspections.
- Ensure all cargo is properly secured.
- Know your truck.
As a vehicle driver, there’s really nothing you can do to prevent rollover truck accidents—it’s all on the truck driver to take the precautions necessary to avoid these situations. There are, however, tips that you can remember when driving next to a big truck to improve your own safety.
Read our blog to learn how to share the road with commercial trucks.
Since many factors can cause these dangerous situations, determining who is liable for your medical expenses and other damages requires having a tenacious legal team on your side who can adequately protect your best interests.
At Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys, we call ourselves the Dream Team for a reason. We never back down from a fight, even against large insurance companies or trucking companies. You have our word that we will do everything in our power to help you obtain maximum compensation so you can move forward with your life.
It’s time to drop the hammer and get the results you need! Give us a call at (912) 809-5335 to speak with our legal team at your earliest convenience.