At the Law Offices of Jon Friedman, our Oregon auto accident attorneys know that rollover crashes are some of the most dangerous collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rollover crashes constitute about one-fifth of all fatal crashes. They are also more likely to result in fatalities than other crashes.
When vehicle occupants survive rollover collisions, they often face long recovery times that require extended absences from work to undergo lengthy medical treatment, rehabilitation, and therapy.
Here is what Oregon drivers need to know about the causes of these severe crashes, so they can help avoid them.
What Factors Contribute to Oregon Rollover Crashes?
In Oregon and across the U.S., driver error is the most common cause of vehicle rollover accidents.
That may include:
- Aggressive driving.
- Distractions or inattention.
- Drug, alcohol, or medication impairment.
- Fatigue or drowsiness.
- Turning too quickly or sharply for the traveling speed.
Other common factors that contribute to rollover crashes may include, but are not limited to:
- Falls down an embankment.
- Hitting a curb, guardrail, or uneven pavement that causes the vehicle to tip.
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo.
- Multi-vehicle collisions.
- Side-impact crashes from another vehicle.
In some cases, the lack of driving experience or familiarity with the road can lead to rollover crashes, too. Unfortunately, no matter the cause of a rollover accident, there is a dramatic increase in the potential for occupants to be ejected from the vehicle.
According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, nearly three-fourths of occupants killed in rollover crashes were not using restraints, and slightly less than two-thirds were ejected entirely from the vehicle. This is why all vehicle occupants must always wear their seatbelts when the vehicle is in motion.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one during a vehicle rollover accident in Oregon, before speaking with the insurance company, contact our Multnomah County car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Jon Friedman at (503) 242-1440 to schedule a free consultation and get the help you need to make informed decisions about the direction of your case.
