Black Hyundai Sedan Overturns at Fair Oaks and Gordon Lane Intersection
A rollover accident occurred on August 27 at the intersection of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Gordon Lane in the Arden-Arcade section of Sacramento. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident that involved a white Lexus and a black Hyundai sedan, which overturned, happened at about 4:46 in the afternoon. Sacramento Fire was called to the scene to evaluate injuries, and a tow truck was summoned to remove the overturned vehicle. At the time of this article, little information concerning the injured was forthcoming. CHP remained at the scene to determine fault in the rollover accident.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident can be violent and deadly for occupants of a vehicle. While rollovers only occur in approximately 3 percent of significant accidents, they account for over 30 percent of all fatalities. While any vehicle can roll over, some are better suited for this type of problem. For the most part, top-heavy vehicles with high centers of gravity, such as vans, pickups, and SUVs have the greatest propensity of overturning.
Lateral Forces in a Vehicle With a High Center of Gravity
Sideways forces play an important part in a rollover accident. For instance, when a vehicle is rounding a curve, it shifts the center of gravity. With increased speed, the lateral forces increase, accounting for the frequency of rollovers on a curve. Other things can increase the risk of a rollover too. A driver who abruptly changes direction and then overcorrects to accommodate the change often causes a rollover due to its eventual loss of control.
Single-Vehicle Rollover Accident
This type of accident is usually not caused by a change in direction. Rather, single-vehicle rollovers are caused when the vehicle “trips” over a pothole, curb, or soft dirt on the road’s shoulder. Studies have shown that about 95 percent of all rollovers occur this way. Additionally, on occasion, the tire will deform, and the wheel rim will hit the pavement, causing a rollover.
Tire Grip in Rollover Accidents
The tires must grip the road. However, in some cases, too much grip causes an excess of lateral forces that will eventually end in a rollover. This presents a problem since if the tires lose their grip, the vehicle may enter a slide and hit the curb. Some SUV manufacturers have resorted to using tires with less grip. Aftermarket addition of performance tires adds to this problem by increasing the grip of the tires.
Roof Crush
Another issue that increases the risk of a fatal rollover accident is roof crush. This occurs when manufacturers fail to ensure that the supportive infrastructure can handle the vehicle’s weight in a rollover accident. If it does not, the roof will crash down on the occupants, causing head and neck injuries and frequent fatalities. This is why it is crucial to preserve your wrecked vehicle for evidence.
Avoiding a Rollover Accident
There are things you can do to avoid a rollover and survive, such as:
- Use a seatbelt: Using a seatbelt keeps you from being ejected from the vehicle. Approximately 50 percent of all fatalities in a rollover accident occurs when a person is thrown from the car.
- Newer vehicles: A newer vehicle with improved safety devices might lessen the risk of a rollover. Electronic controls that increase vehicle stability are found in newer vehicles.
- Avoid heavy loads: Placing a heavy load in a vehicle, especially on the roof, alters its stability. With a high center of gravity vehicle, this might be just enough to cause a rollover accident. A good rule of thumb is to put the most massive cargo on the floor or in the center of the vehicle and away from the tailgate in trucks.
- Don’t speed: Higher speeds account for 40 percent of fatal rollovers.
- Tires: Make sure the tires are in good condition and not over-inflated.
Investigating a Rollover Accident
As with most accidents, it is important to gather as much evidence against the at-fault driver as possible. This is why we send out investigators to the scene of the accident. They use this time to interview witnesses and obtain digital crash footage. We look over police reports for mistakes and use accident reconstruction techniques to determine liability.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am an experienced Sacramento car accident lawyer. Reach out to me for my free and friendly advice by calling (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400, or fill out my online form if that is more convenient for you.
I’ve been helping Sacramento residents for more than 38 years obtain the compensation they deserve in all types of car accidents, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful deaths.
I am a proud member of the following two organizations, among many others:
Go to the pages below to find out more about my law firm:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/accident-auto-damage-vehicle-1409012/
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