Sports Utility Vehicles or SUVs are a very popular mode of transport for many people in Los Angeles.
There is a perception of safety in driving and using SUVs given by the sheer size and thickness of these vehicles which makes it appealing to suburban households. Soccer moms can be seen strapping their sons at the back of an SUV; confident of the protection the massive 6,000 lbs car provides.
But here is an interesting fact, according to a study made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it was reported that SUVs are three times more likely to rollover in a vehicle accident than any other types of cars. This is attributed to the design of an SUV which has a higher center of gravity than other passenger cars.
In addition, 62 percent of SUV related deaths are caused by vehicle rollover accidents compared to just 22 percent with normal passenger cars.
In Los Angeles, vehicle rollover accidents involving SUVs are increasing each year. Whenever a rollover happens, chances of major injuries or death are very high.
Once an SUV is hit or crashes to another vehicle, it leads to lost control and is susceptible to flipping or rolling over.
A lot of fatalities attributed to vehicle rollovers are caused by the victim’s inability to get out of the car while flipping or being thrown out of the vehicle with tremendous force.
Even if a victim escapes death, severe injuries like brain damage, spinal injuries and broken bones are very likely to happen.
Preventing Vehicle Rollovers
Here are some guidelines drivers can follow to avoid vehicle rollover accidents.
• Check the car’s condition. Make sure that the tires are filled with sufficient amount of air. Drivers should also check if the brakes react on time. Maintaining the car’s condition can be expensive, but doing otherwise may cost you your life.
• Check road conditions. Make sure you know the road’s condition before leaving the house. Listen on the radio, weather networks or just check the internet to gauge the road conditions. Certain weathers like rain or snow can make roads slippery and increases the chances of vehicle rollover accidents.
• Avoid speeding. The faster a car goes, the more difficult it is to control. Car control is the key to preventing rollovers and other vehicle accidents.
• Be careful on roads with sharp turns. Sudden jerking of the steering wheel, especially with SUVs, can lead to vehicle rollovers. With SUVs high center of gravity, the sudden change of direction can cause a shift in the weight of the car and thus lead to a rollover.
• Enroll in defensive driving classes. As confident as you are of your driving skills, you can never be sure with the drivers that are on the other vehicles. Defensive driving teaches drivers how to handle different potentially dangerous situations to avoid collisions and accidents. If impact cannot be avoided, these lessons can also teach you make the least impact in case of crashes.
But even if you are very careful, accidents can still happen. If you are involved in a vehicle rollover accident in Los Angeles and you feel that it is a result of a defect in design or production of the vehicle, you may consult a personal injury lawyer to help you file a case.
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