Reducing Your Risk Of Rollover Accidents

28 January 2015

Robin Wells

Rollovers make up a small percentage of the total number of automotive accidents, but they account for nearly a third of auto-related fatalities. The danger of rollovers is intensified by the common occurrence of ejections as well. Since rollover accidents are such a safety concern, it's important that you are aware of the risks and the best ways to protect yourself and your auto insurance.

Assessing Your Rollover Risk

Although no vehicle is exempt from rollover risk, there are some vehicle designs that are at a greater risk than others. The higher the center of gravity on the vehicle, the greater the rollover risk may be. Vehicles such as pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and minivans are at risk of rollover because the center of gravity is higher than that of a passenger car.

The Dangers of Rollovers

In addition to the increased fatality risk with rollover accidents, the level of property damage and personal injury that can occur is significant. These accidents often cause structural damage to the vehicle's frame as well as other costly damages. The significance of a rollover claim can lead to increased auto insurance rates in addition to an increased deductible.

Different Types of Rollover Accidents

There are two different types of rollover accidents. A tripped rollover is one caused by impact with a curb, shoulder or pot hole in the road. All vehicles are at risk of this type of accident. Untripped rollovers, on the other hand, are accidents that are not triggered by an obstruction in the road. These accidents are typically caused by an overcorrection of the steering wheel, sometimes at high speed. Blowouts are also a common cause of untripped rollover accidents.

Avoiding a Rollover

Protect your tire condition by only using the recommended size and style of tire. This ensures that you don't have a tire that's got too much grip, which can actually grab the side of the road on turns and cause you to roll. Keep them inflated to proper levels as well. If the tires are too soft, or if they are softer on one side than on the other, your car will be less stable and more prone to roll over.

Pack your vehicle carefully to avoid making it too top-heavy. This is especially a concern for cars with a high center of gravity. Spread the weight of the cargo across the lower points of the vehicle, such as in the cargo area.

Rollovers are typically single-car crashes. That means there's a good chance that you're going to be deemed at fault if you're in an accident like this. Not only can it leave you seriously injured, but it could be devastating to your auto insurance premiums, too. With the information presented here, you can reduce your risk of a rollover. You may also want to speak with an insurance company like Breitweiser Insurance Services to learn more about how you can protect yourself from rollovers.

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