When you consider the massive size and weight of a fully loaded commercial truck, it should come as no surprise that truck accidents cause extensive property damage and catastrophic injuries and fatalities. While all truck accidents can have devastating consequences, rollover accidents are considered some of the most dangerous. Yet, many of them are largely preventable if the appropriate safety precautions are taken when loading the cargo and operating the truck.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a truck rollover occurs when a large commercial truck overturns, causing it to tip over or roll multiple times. Large trucks have a higher center of gravity and a narrower track width than other vehicles. When the truck’s stability is thrown off by shifting cargo, approaching a turn at too high a speed, or other factors, this can cause the truck to become unstable and roll over. Data from the FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study revealed the following statistics:
- Truck rollover accidents are responsible for approximately five percent of all truck accident fatalities yearly.
- Roughly 70 percent of truck rollovers involve Class 8 tractor-trailers or tractors without a trailer attached, and 30 percent involve single-unit trucks.
- Over half of all truck rollover accidents occur on divided highways, 42 percent on two-way non-divided roads, and two percent on one-way streets.
- Close to half of all significant truck accident fatalities involve truck rollovers.
Close to 80 percent of truck rollover accidents are caused by driver negligence, which could have been prevented if the truck driver followed the road rules and took the necessary steps to ensure that the truck is properly maintained and the cargo is securely loaded. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. The following are examples of the most common causes of truck rollover crashes:
- Speeding: Speeding is dangerous under any circumstances. However, when a large, fully loaded commercial truck travels too fast, particularly when approaching a curve or making a sharp turn, there is an increased risk of a rollover accident. Truck drivers are responsible for obeying the speed limit and making the necessary speed adjustments based on the truck’s additional weight, height, and decreased stability.
- Distracted driving: This is the second leading cause of truck rollover accidents, according to the FMCSA. When a truck driver reads a text, talks on the phone, or reaches for a drink, their attention is not focused on the road ahead. If they need to make a quick maneuver or avoid another vehicle, there is an increased risk of a rollover accident.
- Drowsy driving: Unfortunately, this is a common issue among truck drivers under tremendous pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines. Fatigue can cause a truck driver to make sudden steering adjustments to avoid hitting another vehicle. This can cause a truck rollover accident.
- Improper cargo loading: When the truck’s cargo is not correctly loaded or secured, it can come loose inside the truck or fall out of the back. This can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle. If the diver makes a sudden steering adjustment, there is an increased risk of a rollover accident.
- Lack of truck maintenance: If the truck is not regularly inspected and properly maintained, there is a risk of a severe accident, including a truck rollover accident. For example, if the tires are not maintained or the brakes fail, the truck driver may lose control of the truck and tip over.
- Another driver: While most rollover accidents result from truck driver negligence, other motorists driving erratically or unsafely can also cause a rollover accident. For example, if a motorist cuts off a truck driver, forcing them to make a sudden maneuver to avoid hitting the car, this can lead to a rollover.
What Types of Injuries Do Rollover Truck Accidents Cause?
When a passenger vehicle is involved in a truck rollover accident, the resulting injuries are likely to be severe, if not fatal, due to the massive size and weight of the truck compared to the average passenger vehicle and the destructive nature of a rollover accident. If you are fortunate enough to survive this type of accident, the following are examples of common injuries that rollover accidents can cause:
- Head injuries: The extreme impact of a truck rollover accident can cause serious head and brain injuries, from severe cuts and lacerations to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can cause permanent physical and cognitive impairments.
- Neck injuries: A severe truck accident often causes the head to snap back and forth, causing damage to the soft tissue, the vertebrae, and the spinal column in the neck.
- Spinal cord injuries: Depending on the nature of the injury, a spinal cord injury can result in temporary or permanent paralysis.
- Amputations: If a rollover truck accident causes a driver’s arms or legs to become pinned in their vehicle, causing the limbs to be crushed, doctors may need to amputate the limb to save the patient’s life.
- Burns: If either vehicle catches on fire or the truck carries hazardous or flammable cargo, the motorist involved in a rollover accident can suffer devastating burn injuries that require multiple surgeries and skin grafts, which can be extremely painful.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Rollover Accident?
While the majority of rollover accidents are caused by driver negligence, other parties may also be held liable for a truck rollover accident, including:
- The trucking company
- Another negligent motorist
- The manufacturer of defective truck parts
- A third party responsible for vehicle maintenance
- The loading company
Cincinnati Truck Accident Lawyers at Wolterman Law Office Represent Victims of Rollover Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury in a rollover truck accident, contact our Cincinnati truck accident lawyers at Wolterman Law Office at your earliest convenience. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 513-488-1135 or contact us online. Located in Loveland, Ohio, we serve clients in Hamilton County, Fairfield, Norwood, and Forest Park.