According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck rollovers refer to an overturning of a large commercial vehicle. The rollovers can involve trucks that may roll multiple times or they may simply overturn on either their left or right side.
When a truck travels through a curved road, the centrifugal force will cause it to lean away from the curve potentially resulting in a rollover or a vehicle flip. As tractor-trailers have a large center of gravity and variable weight loads, they are more prone to rolling over.
Fundamental Causes Of Truck Rollover Accidents
Rollover crashes may occur when a vehicle trips over any object such as a guardrail, uneven pavement, curb, and more that may compel the vehicle to tip over. The speed of the vehicle to tip over. The speed of the vehicle may determine whether it will roll over or not as high speed may roll over or not; high speed can potentially lead to a rollover.
There may be several reasons for truck rollovers; some of the most common ones include the following:
- Tire blowouts
- Overloading
- Driver’s error
A Truck Accident Lawyer can help you if you have been involved in such an accident. An attorney may be able to help you file a claim and recover any compensation you may be entitled to.
Tire blowouts
Truck tire blowouts are one of the common causes of rollover collisions, occuring when worn-out tires are not replaced. Sometimes, there may be faults in the brakes or the steering system, negatively affecting the driver’s capability to control the vehicle and causing crashes.
Overloading
Improperly loaded cargo can also sometimes be the reason for truck rollovers. The load needs to be properly distributed to prevent any imbalance. If the load is large, it may cause the truck to tip over too easily, so it is important to ensure the correct weight distribution.
Driver’s error
Insufficient training of the driver can also lead to truck crashes. Driving commercial trucks requires great control and proper training. If a driver is not properly trained or is inexperienced with driving such large vehicles, it can lead to rollovers due to the wrong maneuvers done.
The driver’s failure to follow safety regulations, such as not wearing a seatbelt or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also be causes of truck rollovers. They can also cause the driver to become distracted, resulting in an accident.
Weather conditions may also cause truck accidents. Rain, snow, fog, and wind can make driving difficult and may reduce visibility. This lack of visibility combined with inexperienced drivers or drivers under the influence can make it easier to cause an accident.
Common truck rollover injuries
Among other injuries, head and brain injuries are the most common in a truck rollover. Blunt head trauma, lacerations to the face and scalp, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are other fundamental truck rollover-related injuries. Sometimes, wrongful death can also occur in extreme cases.
Truck rollover accidents by the numbers
Before taking a look at the accident statistics, it is important to note that highways in Texas are among the most dangerous highways to drive on, spanning over 78,000 miles across the state.
The following highways are particularly dangerous:
| Houston | Dallas | San Antonio | Austin |
| Interstate (I-45) | Interstate 35 (I-35) | Interstate 10 (I-10) | Interstate 35 (I-35) |
| US 290 | Interstate 30 (I-30) | Loop 1604 | US 183 |
| Interstate 10 (I-10) | Interstate 20 (I-20) | Interstate 35 (I-35) | US 290 |
| US 69 | State Highway 360 (SH 360) | Interstate 410 (I-410) | Mopac |
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), collisions are the fundamental cause of 76% of truck rollover accidents. Therefore, crashes are the single most contributing factor to rollover accidents. Even with modern cars and trucks designed to prevent rollovers, these collisions still occur.
70% of truck rollovers may involve large Class 8 tractor-trailers or tractors without any trailer or bobtails attached. The remaining 30% of accidents are caused by single-unit trucks.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the following are some facts about 2020 truck rollover accidents in Texas:
- Total commercial truck crashes: 513
- People died: 581
- Serious injuries: 1,245
- Non-crippling injuries: 7,342
As one of the leading states in fatal commercial truck incidents over the last decade, Texas has seen more deadly accidents involving large trucks than other U.S. regions including California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Georgia among others.
How Can Trucking Companies Prevent Rollovers in Texas?
The Texas Department of Insurance has provided some vital tips to help prevent rollover truck crashes. To avoid rollover accidents, drivers should heed the following advice:
- Do not overload the upper portion of the truck.
- Always dump on level ground.
- Do not dump near people or other vehicles.
- Avoid dumping on soft surfaces.
- Always check the vehicle’s level surface before unloading or dumping.
Moreover, giving warning signals when approaching curves is an important way to ensure that other drivers are aware of the truck’s position. The use of slow-moving vehicle signs and flashing lights can also help to alert drivers of the presence of a large truck, particularly at night or in inclement weather.
Determining liability in a truck accident case can be difficult. If a truck driver was not properly trained or if the trucking company did not follow certain safety protocols, then they may be held liable for any resulting damages.
It is important to contact a Personal Injury Lawyer to get the best outcome for your case. With experienced and knowledgeable legal representation, you can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages incurred as a result of the crash.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck rollover accident, schedule a free case consultation with an attorney today or call us for legal assistance.