Rollover accidents are rare but often have serious consequences.
Rollover on West Side Leaves 1 Dead, 2 Injured
According to a KSAT News report, a driver was killed in an overnight rollover accident on the West Side of San Antonio.
Police reported the incident occurred at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6th, on the 13400 Block of Highway 90 West near Loop 410. Details about the cause of the accident are unknown, except that two vehicles had rolled off the highway. The driver of one of the vehicles was pronounced dead at the scene. Their passenger had to be cut from the vehicle but survived the accident, as did the driver of the second vehicle. Their conditions are unknown at this time, nor was the driver identified.
Did You Know?
Rollover accidents are more likely than any other type of accident to result in a fatality.
How to Avoid Rolling Your Car in San Antonio
No one wants to be in a rollover accident. They are more likely than any other accident type to result in a fatality and almost always result in a major injury.
Fortunately, rollover accidents are largely preventable, and there are common characteristics most rollover accidents share that provide insight into how to protect yourself from them.
Let’s break down these common contributing factors to rollover accidents so that you can avoid them.
Speed
How fast do you have to be going to flip your vehicle?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because vehicles are so different from each other. However, when analyzing rollover accident data between 1991 and 2000, the NHTSA found that most rollover accidents occur at speeds of 55 mph or greater. So, you could technically roll your vehicle when driving at lower speeds if you were struck by another car or hit a curb, but you are more likely to flip at highway speeds.
Takeaway: Be especially alert for potholes, debris, and sharp curves when driving 55 mph or greater to reduce the likelihood of flipping your vehicle.
Vehicle Type
Any vehicle can be in a rollover accident, but some vehicle types are more prone to rollovers than others. Basically, any vehicle with a high center of gravity is more likely to roll than a vehicle with a low center of gravity.
Vehicles with high centers of gravity include:
- SUVs
- Vans
- 18-wheelers
- Pickup Trucks
When driving these kinds of vehicles, the best way to avoid rolling over is to observe safe speeds for road and weather conditions and follow the rules of the road.
Inclement Weather
Poor weather is a contributing factor to many kinds of auto accidents, and rollovers are no exception. High winds, rain, or ice on the road all increase the likelihood of a rollover accident.
Wind speeds have to reach 180 mph to flip a vehicle, but those speeds can happen during hurricane season. More often, inclement weather conditions like rain or ice cause drivers to lose control of the vehicle and run off the road, causing a rollover accident.
Takeaway: The speed limit may not be safe in inclement weather. To ensure you don’t lose control of your vehicle, drive slower in the rain, in high winds, or in icy conditions.
Injured in a Rollover Accident in San Antonio? Call Carabin Shaw
Our team at Carabin Shaw has represented those injured in rollover accidents in San Antonio for 30 years, and we always put our clients first. Contact the firm that cares today at 800-862-1260 and get your case evaluated for free. We look forward to serving you.
Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.