HEAD-ON COLLISIONS AND ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS
Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) don’t lie. In 2018, frontal impacts, or head-on collisions, accounted for 56% of deaths among passenger vehicle occupants. Although they are less common, rollover accidents can be just as dangerous. Only about 2% of crashes involve a vehicle rollover, but rollovers account for 35% of all passenger vehicle fatalities.
WHAT IS A HEAD-ON COLLISION?
Head-on collisions occur when one vehicle runs directly into the front of another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Even at low speeds, head-on collisions can be very dangerous because the impact absorbs the energy of both vehicles. Drivers and passengers in the front seat also suffer the full force of the accident, which makes the chance of serious injury and death much higher.
WHAT IS A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT?
According to the IIHS, “a crash is classified as a rollover if the vehicle tips onto its side or roof at any time during the crash.” Rollovers can occur after impact or on their own, but they tend to happen when a vehicle leaves the roadway. Passengers can be ejected from the vehicle during rollovers, which increases the likelihood of fatality. Many rollover accidents involve excessive speed and alcohol.
Commercial trucks are frequently involved in rollover accidents, as well.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Fatal crashes do not occur on their own. Typically, driver behavior accounts for both head-on collisions and rollover accidents.
Contributing factors include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Disregarding the rules of the road
- Overcorrecting or oversteering
- Drowsy driving
- Swerving
- Improper turns
Head-on collisions tend to involve drivers on the wrong side of the road, too. If you have been injured or bereaved in a head-on or rollover accident caused by any of these behaviors, negligence may have been involved in your accident.
When this is the case, you have legal options.
YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS
At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC, we help victims of auto accidents move forward. Whether you suffered an injury or lost a loved one, we are here for you.
Our experienced legal team can help you account for medical expenses, missed wages, pain and suffering, and even funeral costs. When someone else causes your head-on collision or rollover accident, you should not have to suffer alone.
Put our firm on your side. Call us at 918-492-7674 today to discuss your legal options or schedule your free consultation online.