Massachusetts Rollover Accidents
The National Motor Vehicle Causation Study (NMVCS) by the US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration addressed an ongoing initiative to understand the cause of roll-over crashes. Roll-over crashes are one of the most fatal types of Massachusetts car accidents. These accidents refer to situations when a vehicle flips over onto its roof or side. Despite the introduction of advanced safety features, roll-over accidents continue to occur and remain a common cause of car accident fatalities.
Roll-over crashes generally involve eight types of scenarios. These include:
- Trip-over: When the vehicle suddenly slows or stops inducing a rollover.
- Flip-over: When the vehicle rotates along its longitudinal axis.
- Bounce-over: When a vehicle hits a static object and overturns.
- Turn-over- When a sharp turn caused the vehicle to rotate and turn.
- Fall-over: When a traversing slope affects a vehicle’s center of gravity.
- Climb-over: When a vehicle climbs over a barrier or an object that lifts the vehicle off the surface.
- Collision: When a crash causes the roll-over.
- End-over-end: When a crash causes the vehicle to roll on its lateral axis.
These accidents often result in severe injuries, especially for unrestrained occupants. For instance, a Massachusetts news report described a fatal accident on Route 195. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation stated that the two people suffered injuries and one person died in the rollover crash.
Those who survive a rollover crash often suffer severe injuries to their head and neck. While conditions such as broken bones, whiplash and soft tissue damage are common, so too are more serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
In most cases, an accident victim involved in a rollover accident suffers the most serious injuries from the initial impact, rather than when the vehicle actually rolls over. There are various factors that can determine the severity of a rollover crash. For instance, vehicle type, pre-crash speed, restraints, the intensity of the crash, type of rollover initiation, vehicle design, occupant demographics, and accident location, all play a role in the outcome. However, most studies conclude that accidents involving ejections tend to show the highest mortality rate.
Advancements in vehicle safety prevent some number of fatal accidents, however, human behavior continues to be a leading cause for these accidents. Distracted drivers and those who are under the influence or speeding have the highest risk of causing a rollover accident. Of course, all drivers have a legal duty to ensure the safe operation of their vehicles at all times. And when a driver’s negligence causes a rollover accident they can be held financially accountable through a Massachusetts personal injury lawsuit.
Were You Injured in a Rollover Car Accident?
If you or a loved one recently suffered serious injuries in a Massachusetts car accident, reach out to the dedicated advocates at the Neumann Law Group. Our compassionate team of attorneys has extensive experience representing accident victims and their family members in personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from car accidents. To learn more, reach out to the Neumann Law Group at 800-525-6386 today.
