Child hospitalized after North Carolina rollover accident

Rollover accidents are one of the most dangerous types of accidents that drivers in Mecklenburg County can experience. Although hitting another vehicle head on is the most dangerous type of vehicle accident, rollover accidents are the second most dangerous type of collision that can occur, states the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The danger of rollover accidents

According to the NHTSA, from 1992 to 1996, there were approximately 227,000 rollover accidents every year. These accidents resulted in an average of 9,063 deaths every year and approximately 200,000 injuries. Not only are rollover accidents prevalent, but they are also highly dangerous.

Unlike other types of accidents, rollover accidents are highly complex because they involve environmental, vehicle and driver factors. Although all types of vehicles are prone to rolling over in accident, vehicles with higher centers of gravity, such as vans and SUVS are more likely to be involved in a rollover accident. Speed is also a common factor in many rollover accidents. According to safecar.gov, about 75% of fatal rollover accidents occurred when the speed limit was over 55 miles an hour.

In addition to the type of vehicle and the speed limit, alcohol and location are also two common causes of rollover collisions. More than half of rollover accidents occur when alcohol is involved says safecar.gov, and a large majority of these collisions occur on rural roads where lane divisions and barriers are not present.

Recently, a rollover accident that occurred on a highway near Surf City caused a child to be hospitalized due injuries from the crash. A truck making a left turn failed to yield and ended up hitting an SUV that was transporting a family of five, says ABC 3. Although one child was hospitalized, no one else was injured in the accident.

Preventing auto collisions

Although drivers cannot control the actions of other drivers on the road, they can still take several safety precautions to avoid being injured in a dangerous rollover accident. Drivers should:

• Drive in the center lane while on the highway and avoid driving in the far left lane
• Consistently scan traffic on all areas of the road for potential hazards
• Keep both hands on the steering wheel and try not to fall into the habit of driving with one hand
• Know the performance limits of their vehicle
• Drive defensively at all times, especially at night
• Keep their car in good condition by having regular maintenance done

Keep these safety guidelines in mind to protect you and your loved ones from the occurrence of a rollover accident.

Unfortunately, while drivers can do their best to prevent being involved in a rollover accident, these types of dangerous collisions still occur due to the negligence of other drivers. If you were injured in a rollover collision, consult with a personal injury attorney to find out what you can do to receive compensation for your injuries.