While all vehicles have the potential to roll over, the most prone are those that are top heavy due to a high center of gravity. SUVs, vans and pickup trucks are vehicles that have such structures and can be more susceptible to vehicle rollovers.
According to government estimates, 95 percent of rollovers are caused by "trips," though that figure is debated. A trip can occur when a vehicle swerves onto a soft roadside shoulder or into a pothole or curb.
There are a number of things that you can do to lessen the likelihood of rolling over. For example, do not overload your vehicle and make it even more top heavy. Loading things on the roof of a vehicle, especially a pickup or an SUV, is sure to decrease its stability.
Also, do not drive at excessive speeds. Faster speeds make rollovers more probable. Statistics tell us this is especially true on country roads that have speed limits of 55 mph or higher.
While a high percentage of rollovers involve only a single vehicle, there are any number of outside causes that could lead to such accidents occurring. For example, a design flaw in a vehicle could make it more vulnerable to rolling. Likewise, it is possible for a driver to be forced off the road or into a curb by another vehicle, leading to a rollover.
While rollovers represent only around 3 percent of all serious motor vehicle accidents, they account for approximately 30 percent of passenger vehicle fatalities. If you have lost a loved one in a rollover accident, you may want to contact an Illinois personal injury attorney.
The attorney could perform an investigation and help you determine liability. Once liability is determined, the attorney can help you seek compensation for your loss. Depending on the circumstances, you may wish to pursue a wrongful death suit against a negligent party or work with insurance companies to obtain a settlement.