A great deal of rollover accidents are caused by driving at an excessive speed, which is even more dangerous when done in a light truck that does not have a roof with strength sufficient enough to protect the vehicle’s passengers. In a study conducted by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, they found that speed was a cause in about 45% of the rollover accidents they had studied. As the seasons change, the roads are being affected by weather conditions, now more than ever it is important to know how to stay safe from rollover accidents.

High speeds are one part of a rollover accident, but there are other factors to weigh in. The weight and height of a truck are a few of the factors that play a part in a rollover accident. The majority of rollover accidents are caused by how drivers handle curved roads. Most of the time, a driver will overestimate the safe speed to go over such a curve, resulting in a rollover. Drivers may become careless on the road if they are in a rush to get somewhere, they may not think about slowing down for a curved road. Other times, it is possible for a driver to not see the speed limit or posted road sign, causing them to continue at an excessive pace.

About a quarter of rollover accidents, related to speed, involve vehicles carrying a large amount of weight. Anytime weight is added or subtracted from a vehicle, it should be taken into account, how to safely operate that vehicle. If these changes go about with little thought, the likelihood of a rollover is greatly increased. Another speed related cause of a rollover accident is brakes. All drivers need to make sure that the brakes on their vehicles are in good condition and fit for being on the road. Regular maintenance on a vehicle is very important and will ensure that your vehicle is in top condition whenever you’re on the road.

About a tenth of the rollover accidents studied by the FMCSA were impacted by the conditions of the roads. Many drivers fail to adjust their speeds to changes in the weather, mostly in the event of rain. Turns at intersections had involvement in around a tenth of the rollover accidents as well. Turns at an intersection are very much like curves, due to the severity and speed of the turn, and they must be taken with great care.

Only about 5% of the rollover accidents were due to not adjusting speed to nearby vehicles and just a few were from worn down tires. Once again, knowing the condition of your vehicle is of paramount importance for staying safe on the road. Only two of the rollover accidents were due to sight distance.

Speed is a huge component of rollover accidents, but being knowledgeable of the many other factors can help prevent you from being involved in one. Our car accident lawyer firm can assist in any personal injury case and help you get on the right path.