Owning an SUV comes with a lot of advantages. These include being able to tow a boat, trailer, and other heavy items. It also includes being able to haul a lot of cargo or travel with a lot of family members or friends. There are downsides to owning an SUV and they include spending a lot of money on gas and the risk of being involved in a rollover accident. A Florida car accident attorney from Colson Hicks Eidson explains how you can survive such an accident in today’s blog.
Causes of Florida SUV Rollover Accidents
There are quite a few reasons why an SUV can roll over in an accident. Not every accident involving an SUV will involve a vehicle rollover, but the chances are higher when in an SUV because of its height, weight, and gravity. Below, you will find some of the most common causes of SUV rollovers in Florida:
- Weight distribution: if you are towing something or hauling heavy items inside the SUV, the distribution of the weight can play a major role in a rollover crash. Rollovers often happen when the vehicle is struck from the side by another vehicle. Some SUVs can withstand such an impact, but if weight isn’t properly distributed, the SUV will roll onto its side.
- Speed: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that speed is the cause of most fatal rollover accidents as the majority of these fatal crashes happen in speed zones that are 55 MPH or higher.
- Familiarity with the road: If a driver is unfamiliar with the road they are traveling, it can lead to an SUV rollover crash if they travel too fast into a curve or take a turn at a sharp angle.
Surviving a Florida SUV Rollover Crash
Should you find yourself in an accident while driving or riding in an SUV, it is important to know the steps to take in order to survive, especially if the SUV rolls over.
- Always wear a seat belt: The majority of fatalities in SUV rollover crashes are caused by the victims not wearing seat belts. Having your seat belt on is the single most factor that increases your chances of surviving an SUV rollover accident in Florida.
- Remain calm: Try to stay as calm as possible if involved in a rollover crash. Doing so can prevent you from exacerbating any injuries you might have suffered and prevent you from suffering additional injuries.
- Turn off the engine: If you are able to turn the engine off safely following a crash, do so. This will limit the amount of power in the vehicle and hopefully prevent a fire from starting.
- Do not over your head or bend over: Covering your head or bending over in an attempt to protect yourself in a rollover crash can cause serious damage to your neck when the airbag deploys.
Seek Legal Counsel
Were you injured in an SUV rollover crash? Call the office of Colson Hicks Eidson at 305-476-7400, or complete a contact form to schedule a consultation with a Florida SUV rollover accident attorney today.
