Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
A local man has died as the result of a recent rollover accident in Davie. According to the Sun Sentinel, the auto accident happened around 7:30 p.m. when the man’s vehicle rolled over on State Road 84. His dog was trapped inside the vehicle when officers arrived. They had to call for backup to get the pup.
Officials have yet to determine the cause of the accident.
Our Davie injury attorneys understand how dangerous driving on our state’s busy roadways can be. Not only do you have to worry about the questionable driving habits of the motorists around you, but you also sometimes have to worry about the handling of your own vehicle. Rollover accidents have been plentiful in recent years, with the most common victims being those in SUVs, minivans and trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are nearly 300,000 rollover accidents reported every year in the U.S. These accidents take the lives of about 10,000 every year.
As a matter of fact, about 40 percent of all fatal SUV accidents in 2006 resulted in a rollover accident. During that same year, less than 16 percent of fatal passenger car accidents resulted in a rollover. It’s clear that larger vehicles, like SUVs, are more prone to these kinds of accidents. This is typically because most times SUVs carry heavy loads making them even more top-heavy than they are naturally by design. This unbalance in weight makes them highly susceptible to these kinds of accidents.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rollover accidents, among all vehicles, account for about 25 percent of fatal passenger vehicle accidents.
Why SUV rollover accidents are so dangerous:
-These vehicles have a higher center of gravity than passenger cars.
-SUVs typically have narrower track widths, the measured distance between the left and right tires, than passenger cars.
-These vehicles are more likely than other vehicles to be driven on rural roadways. It is on these roadways that most rollover accidents happen.
Nearly 80 percent of all rollover accidents are single-vehicle accidents, according to the IIHS. Only about 20 percent of these accidents involve more than one vehicle.
Tips to Help Prevent a Rollover Accident:
-Stay in control of your vehicle at all times. This means avoid drowsy driving, drugs, alcohol and speeding.
-Be sure to maintain your vehicle’s tires. Never let your tires get too worn or under-inflated.
-Never over load or over pack your SUV.
-Be extremely careful when traveling along rural roads.
-If your vehicle veers off the road, avoid braking suddenly. Slow down your vehicle gradually and ease your way back onto the road. Sudden movements will increase your risks of a rollover accident.
-Research cars and rollover rates before purchasing. Check sites like SafeCar.gov for this type of information.
If you or a someone you love has been hurt in a rollover accident in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines or in any of the surrounding areas, contact our personal injury attorneys of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
Additional Resources:
Man killed after car rolls over on State Road 84, by Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel
More Blog Entries:
‘Move Over’ Campaign Helps to Reduce Car Accidents in South Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, March 8, 2012
Family Speaks Up about Lasting Consequences of Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Port St. Lucie, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, February 25, 2012