A rollover accident happens when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof multiple times or just once. When the car flips, it often rolls, which is particularly dangerous. They can lead to fatalities or serious injuries and are one of the most deadly types of wrecks for truckers. While the size of their rigs protects them in an everyday accident, they become a liability in this type of crash.
In addition to causing risk to the trucker, rollover car accidents threaten other people on the road because trucks are out of control and can crush or collide with other vehicles. When you are injured in this kind of collision, you should reach out to a truck accident attorney to help you pursue financial compensation from the person responsible for your injuries. We could explore liability and provide information about rollover truck accidents in Houston.
Top-Heavy Vehicles Are More Likely to Rollover
Not all vehicles have the same risk of rolling over in a car accident. The more top-heavy the vehicle, the greater the chance that it will roll. SUVs are high-risk passenger vehicles. However, no vehicle has as much risk as a big-rig truck. With their high centers of gravity, these vehicles are the most likely to roll over.
Four main factors can lead to a rollover accident: tripping, speeding, crashing, and bad weather.
Tripping
Tripping is a term for when a vehicle hits an obstacle. The obstacle does not have to be large — a curb is enough to trip a vehicle. All that has to happen is for the truck’s weight to shift to one side, which can start a rollover.
Speeding
For truck drivers, speeding is not just about driving above the limit; it can also mean driving faster than is safe for a particular maneuver. Trucks are at a heightened risk when they go too quickly around a curve or in a turn. The faster they are traveling, the greater the risk.
Crashing
Crashes can also lead to rollovers. Interestingly enough, these may not be due to trucker negligence. If another vehicle hits a truck at sufficient speed, it can knock it off balance, initiating a rollover. Near crashes can have a similar impact — a trucker who swerves to avoid another car can lose traction and roll over.
Bad Weather
Finally, bad weather dramatically increases the odds of a rollover accident. When the roads are slippery, there is less traction. It is accessible for trucks to skid, which can begin a roll. Skids also increase the risk of crashes, which can contribute to a rollover. Often, there are several causes of a Houston crash in which a truck rolls over. When multiple parties are responsible, they may all share liability.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001 provides for proportionate responsibility for wrongdoers. It establishes a modified comparative negligence standard. If a person is not 51 percent or more responsible for an accident, they can recover from the other wrongdoers for their injuries.
In a Houston rollover collision, there is a high potential for other wrongdoers. Improper maintenance can increase the risk of a rollover, and so can an imbalanced load. Therefore, the vehicle owner, employer, and loader may all share responsibility. In addition, if another vehicle hits the truck, leading to the rollover, they could be responsible for some part of the accident. No truck wreck defendant has to have 50 percent or more of the responsibility as long as the plaintiff does not have more than 51 percent of the responsibility.
Contact an Attorney About Houston Rollover Truck Wrecks
Many people on the road, including truckers, seem to ignore the rules and laws that keep us safe. When you are injured in a rollover crash caused by their negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A lawyer could explain your potential rights and remedies after rollover truck accidents in Houston. Call today to schedule a consultation and find out more.