22 Jul How to Survive a Rollover Crash

A rollover crash is a frightening experience even to think about. Rollovers do, indeed, have a higher fatality rate than other accident types, accounting for nearly 35% of deaths in passenger vehicle crashes. A lot of people brace for impact in ways that actually make a rollover more dangerous.

Prevention

First of all, the best way to survive a rollover is not to get into one in the first place. Most rollover crashes are single vehicle crashes, indicating that the strongest factor is driver behavior. Here are some good prevention tips:

1. Never overload your car with loads on the roof, and ensure that any load on the roof is secure. Ideally, use a rooftop cargo container rather than simply tying stuff to the rack, as this helps keep the load reasonable and can also prevent accidents caused by debris on the road. Load heavy furniture inside the vehicle rather than on top of it.
2. Always slow down for corners. Remember that advised speeds arA rollover crash is a frightening experience even to think about. Rollovers do, indeed, have a higher fatality rate than other accident types, accounting for nearly 35% of deaths in passenger vehicle crashes. A lot of people brace for impact in ways that actually make a rollover more dangerous.

   e there for a reason, and try not to get complacent. Sometimes, advised speeds can seem low, which can lead drivers not to respect them and then get into serious trouble when they find one that is, if anything, too high.

3. If you do feel the vehicle tilt, always turn the wheel towards, not away from, the direction of tilt.
4. When buying a new car, remember that SUVs roll over three times more often than standard cars. If you need an SUV, look for one with electronic stability control, which also helps in the event of a skid. ESC became part of general safety standards in 2012. Also look for side curtain airbags. Find out how your vehicle performs in NHTSA rollover tests. Pickups and vans are also more vulnerable. Generally, vehicles with a lower center of gravity are less likely to roll.
5. Stay sober. More than half of rollover accidents involve a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
6. Always wear your seat belt.
7. Watch out for rural roads with high speed limits that can often tempt you into driving too fast. Many of these roads are two-lane and undivided. In general, avoid excessive speed. 40% of fatal rollover crashes involve speeding and nearly 3/4 happen on roads with a posted limit of 55 mph or higher.
8. Check your tires are properly inflated. Never install mis-matched tires and use tires of a similar type to those on the new vehicle.

Do’s and Don’ts

If, despite all of these precautions, your car does start to roll, the temptation is to brace against the floor, steering wheel or dash. Don’t do this. The airbag will knock you out of this position into a less safe one. So, what should you do?

1. Release the wheel if driving. Cross your arms across your chest and grab the opposite shoulders. Stay in that position until the car has stopped rolling.
2. Once the car has stopped rolling, turn off the engine.
3. If the car is on its roof, you should plant your hands or feet on the ceiling and unbuckle your seat belt.
4. If the door will not open, which is common after a rollover, you will need to climb out through the window.
5. Move away from the vehicle and call 911 or, if unable to do so (for example if your cell phone got destroyed), try to flag down somebody else to call. Stay clear of the vehicle and out of traffic lanes.

You should drill the rollover brace until it becomes second nature. Include your passengers, and children who are old enough to be out of car seats. Hopefully you will never have to do it, but knowing how and reacting quickly can save your life.

After your safety and the safety of drivers or passengers in the vicinity is established, be sure to contact an attorney immediately. RA & Associates provides free consultations for any and all car accidents victims.