Bakersfield SUV Rollover Attorney

SUVs are more susceptible to rollovers than other passenger vehicles because they have a higher center of gravity. As reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 4,873 SUV occupants died in traffic crashes in 2016, representing 20% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an SUV rollover, contact Faulkner Law Offices as soon as possible. Our Bakersfield personal injury lawyers have dedicated our practice to representing injured people.

Why Choose Our Firm?

The sole focus of our practice since 1974 has been representing injured people in personal injury matters. We believe our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to effectively pursue compensation for our clients. We understand how SUV rollover crashes happen and who might be liable. We have a courtroom success rate of more than 90% and are not intimidated by large companies and their teams of lawyers.

SUV Rollover Statistics

A rollover occurs when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof during a crash. According to IIHS statistics:

Rollovers accounted for 47% of SUV fatalities in 2016.
Single-vehicle rollover crashes accounted for 36% of SUV occupant deaths in 2016.
Among the 2,710 SUV occupant fatalities in single-vehicle crashes in the U.S. in 2016. approximately 41% occurred in rollover accidents.
7,488 passenger vehicle occupants died in rollover crashes in 2016.
28% of these fatal rollovers did not involve any other impact.
Rollover crashes accounted for 31% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2016.
Rollovers accounted for 52% of occupant deaths in single-vehicle crashes and 13% in multi-vehicle crashes.

How Do Rollover Accidents Happen?

Any vehicle can roll over given the right circumstances. However, taller, narrower vehicles such as SUVs are top-heavier with a higher center of gravity and more prone to roll over. When an SUV rounds a curve, sideways forces can shift the center of gravity to one side and upset the vehicle’s balance. Speed and rapid changes of direction increase these lateral forces, creating a pendulum effect and loss of vehicle control.

As stated in Consumer Reports, single-vehicle rollovers are not generally caused by steering maneuvers. Many of these accidents occur when the vehicle “trips” on something such as a pothole, curb, or soft shoulder. Tires with too much grip can increase sideways forces and contribute to rollovers.

Causes of Rollovers

According to safecar.gov, powered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollovers are complex crashes and particularly violent in nature. Factors contributing to rollover accidents, per NHTSA, include:

Vehicle type: SUVs, pickups, and vans are more susceptible to rollover in single-vehicle crashes.
Speed: An estimated 40% of fatal rollovers involve excessive speeding.
Alcohol: Nearly half of all fatal rollovers involve alcohol impairment.
Location: Nearly three-quarters of fatal rollovers occur in rural areas with speed limits 55 mph or higher.
Driver distraction: As more than 90% of vehicles in fatal single-vehicle rollovers were involved in routine driving maneuvers, and nearly 85% of fatal rollovers are single-vehicle crashes, NHTSA infers that driver behavior plays a significant role in rollover crashes.

Get Legal Help after a Rollover Accident with Injuries

If driver negligence caused a rollover accident, injured passengers have a right to claim compensation. If a defect in the vehicle itself caused the rollover, injured occupants may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

If you have been injured in a rollover crash, contact Faulkner Law Offices today. Our Bakersfield personal injury attorneys can determine liability and assist you in pursuing compensation for your losses.