Deadly Single-Vehicle Rollover in Montague
A fatal rollover collision occurred on the evening of Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Montague, California. Following the accident, the driver in the single-vehicle crash, a 33-year-old man from Weed, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and vehicular manslaughter, according to a report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Yreka Area Office.
The only vehicle involved was a 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser, and the rollover took place on Ager Beswick Road at approximately 11:00 p.m. For unknown reasons, perhaps related to his suspected impairment, the driver lost control of the Land Cruiser, and it traveled off the roadway. The vehicle then rolled over, at which time the passenger, a 54-year-old man from Yreka, was ejected. Sadly, the passenger succumbed to his injuries. It was reported that the man who was killed had not been wearing a seatbelt. The allegedly impaired driver, who had been wearing a seatbelt, suffered moderate injuries, according to the CHP report.
Rollovers are Uniquely Dangerous
Pursuant to statistics compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), close to one percent of all vehicle accidents result in a rollover. Even given that low percentage, vehicle rollovers make up nearly a third of all fatal car crashes.
What Causes a Single-Vehicle Rollover?
Somewhat surprisingly, most rollovers are single-vehicle incidents. Rollovers in accidents involving multiple vehicles are less common, but they do happen. When there is more than one vehicle involved in a crash, a vehicle may roll if it is t-boned and pushed over by the impact. Another example is a car may be pushed into a barrier or other stationary object, which causes the vehicle to flip.
With regard to single-vehicle rollovers, the two most common causes are:
- Loss of control by the driver. This appears to have been the cause of the above-described Montague accident. Loss of driver control is the most frequent cause of rollover accidents. Some of the reasons a driver may lose control of their vehicle are distractions that result in a loss of driver focus and overcorrections, falling asleep, or striking an object or pothole that throws off the center of gravity of the vehicle. Of course, icy roads are a big reason drivers lose control of their vehicles during the winter months.
- Aggressive or risky driving maneuvers. Most often, the types of aggressive driving moves that may lead to a rollover are coupled with excessive speed, such as turning or swerving while traveling too fast for conditions. Making sudden and quick moves may cause the tires to lose their grip on the road surface, which can result in the vehicle tipping over and flipping. Rollovers of this nature are especially common for higher-profile vehicles such as large trucks, SUVs, and vans.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a video clip discussing how to avoid a vehicle rollover.
Yreka Personal Injury Lawyer
Thank you for reading our legal blog. I am Ed Smith, a Yreka, California personal injury attorney. We are saddened by this loss of life, apparently caused by drunk driving. Impaired driving is a primary example of negligent behavior that makes traveling on Northern highways hazardous. Unfortunately, these types of accidents occur frequently, and it frustrates us all as they are preventable. If you have been injured in an accident, or have lost a loved one due to someone else’s recklessness or negligence, the experienced injury lawyers at our firm may be able to help. For compassionate, free, and friendly advice, call us at (530) 392-9400, or toll-free at (800) 404-4500 if you are outside the local region. In the alternative, you can also send your inquiry via our online contact form.
Photo: Pixabay
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