Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle tips over onto its roof or side. Initially a common SUV-related accident due to the vehicles higher center of gravity, many other types of trucks are also in danger of rolling over during an accident.
In Tennessee the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased from between 2010 and 2011. Traffic Statistics indicate that in 2009 more than 300 rollover accidents occurred in Knox County and nearly 7,400 rollover/overturn accidents statewide.
Rollover accidents may occur by an outside force such as a curb or collision with another vehicle, or as a result of an internal issue such as improper driver steering or car malfunctions. No matter the cause, rollover accidents can prove to be deadly.
A decade-long study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had some interesting conclusions about rollover accidents including that:
- Rollover crashes constitute about one-fifth of all fatal crashes.
- The number of fatal light truck rollover crashes increased over that time period.
- Speed was an important factor in fatal rollovers, with most crashes occurring on roads where speed limits were 55 miles an hour or greater.
- SUVs had the highest incidence of rollover accident fatalities followed closely by pick-up trucks and vans.
Rollover accidents can cause multiple injuries and even wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck rollover accident caused by a careless driver, the injured may be entitled to compensation for property damage, medical bills and expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Contact our experienced Knoxville truck accident lawyers to discuss your case.
For a free, no-obligation case evaluation, fill out the FREE CASE REVIEW form to your right.
Causes of Truck Rollover Accidents
The higher incidence of light truck and SUV rollovers is due to their positioning which is higher off the ground than most other vehicles. Light trucks, passenger vans, jeeps, and pick-up trucks are all susceptible to these types of accidents.
Truck rollover accidents may be caused by:
- Distracted Drivers
- Speeding
- Fatigued Driving
- Improper Lane Change
- Making a Quick Left or Right-hand Turn
- Improper Truck Maintenance
- Abruptly Stopping, particularly on soft surfaces.
According to Tennessee Truck Accident crash Facts, approximately 238 large truck accidents were alcohol or drug-related in 2007.
Bad weather and certain road conditions can also play a role in rollover truck accidents, some other common causes of truck rollover accidents include:
- Slick Roads
- Steep Hills
- Winding Roads
- Rain or Snow
- Soft Road Surfaces
Separately or combined, these factors could lead to deadly truck rollover crashes and depending on the type of truck possibly even multi-vehicle crashes.
Contact our Knoxville Lawyers
As the number of truck rollover accidents increase, the number of those who may be injured by these incidents increases. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck rollover accident and are seeking legal counsel on the matter, our Tennessee personal injury lawyers are ready to help you.
With more than 40 years of combined legal experience, Greg Coleman Law is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the injured and can help guide you through the entire litigation process while you recover from your injuries. We have a main office located in Knoxville, Tennessee and are also pleased to serve the following areas:
- Maryville
- Oak Ridge
- Sevierville
- Asheville
- Clinton
and many more cities and towns. Contact us at (865) 247-0080 to discuss the details of your case free of charge and at no-obligation. We will review your claim to determine if you have enough grounds for a lawsuit, and if so, how to move forward with the proceedings.
If you prefer to contact us online, simply fill out the FREE CASE REVIEW form at the top right hand corner of this page.
