Sacramento Rollover Crash Causes Multiple Injuries
A rollover crash in Sacramento resulted in injuries. It happened at the intersection of 29th and S streets on August 8 at about 6:30 in the morning. Lane closures caused traffic to be diverted away from the accident site. According to Sacramento Police, two vehicles were involved in the rollover crash, and three individuals were taken to the hospital by emergency transport. At this time, authorities have provided little information about how the car accident happened.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Rollovers can be violent and lead to fatal injuries. Having an injury lawyer at your side after the accident can ensure that everything will be done to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Our investigative team arrives at the accident scene as soon as possible and scours the site to determine how the crash evolved. We examine accident details to identify the at-fault party and review police reports for accuracy. Our investigators speak with witnesses to the accident. In rollover accidents, we also check to see if a particular make and model of vehicle is prone to roof crush injuries. This defect causes many serious injuries and deaths. Once we have accumulated the necessary information, our legal team works to build a strong case against the defendant. This will be used in negotiations with the insurance company and presented in civil court.
Rollover Risks
There are two main risks in a rollover accident. One is from ejection and the other from a crushed roof injury. Even if a seat restraint is used, problems with the buckle, which can unsnap, or slack, can allow a passenger to be pulled out of the car. The other major risk in a rollover crash is caused by roof crush. Some roofs are not properly made to withstand the weight of the vehicle, and the passengers are crushed. The auto industry has argued that it is not the roof that crushes the passengers, but rather it is the force the riders place on the roof.
Roof Crush Study
A major study was undertaken by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety into whether the roof’s strength has a large effect on roof crush. The institute, which examined 23,000 rollover crashes and 11 models of SUVs, reported that if roof strength was increased, 25 percent of fatalities could be avoided. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed raising the roof strength coefficient to 2.5 times the weight of the vehicle, which could save many lives.
Factors That Result in Rollover Crashes
Certain types of vehicles and driver behaviors lead to rollover crashes. They are:
- Type of vehicle: One of the biggest factors in a rollover is the type of vehicle. Those that are narrow and have an increased height are more likely to rollover. Vans, pickups, and SUVs all have a high center of gravity compared to other vehicles
- Speed: Excessive speeding is involved in some rollover crashes. Even without speeding, rollovers happen more frequently when the speed limit is over 50 mph.
- Location: Most overturned vehicle crashes occur in rural areas. This is due not only to the higher speed limits but also because roads are typically undivided and lack barriers.
- Single-vehicle crashes: Approximately 85 percent of all rollover deaths occur in single-vehicle crashes. This can be due to defects or lack of roof strength.
Liability in Crushed Roofs
If the roof strength is so low that a crushed roof injury is likely, the manufacturer of the vehicle can be held liable. It is common knowledge that weak roofs lead to a high number of crushed roof fatalities. If a manufacturer fails to ensure that the roof will withstand the weight of the vehicle and someone is injured because of it, an injury lawyer can bring a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer. This can be incorporated into a wrongful death lawsuit.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. A rollover crash is a violent type of accident and results in serious injuries and fatalities. If this has happened to you, call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach out to me online.
I’ve helped numerous clients obtain the compensation they deserve in all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and other traumatic injuries.
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Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_79745536_l-2015
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