Although they are not as common as rear-end or head-on collisions, rollover accidents are likely to cause severe injuries to passengers. When a vehicle tips over, it may skid across the road on its side or roof colliding with other cars in traffic or slamming into a guardrail. In extreme cases, the car may roll over several times, causing broken bones, brain trauma, or internal injuries that prove fatal for the occupants. 
Why Do Rollover Accidents Happen?
There can be many underlying causes of rollover accidents, but they are usually grouped into two categories. If the vehicle’s tires strike an object (such as a pothole or loose gravel) that causes the vehicle to flip over, it is called a tripped rollover. If the accident results from a sudden movement (such as a turn or overcorrection) from the driver, this is an untripped rollover.
While it will take a full investigation to determine who may be liable for the costs of the accident, the most common reasons rollover crashes happen include:
Automobile defects.
A tire blowout can cause the car to become unbalanced, sending the car into a skid that forces the car to roll over. In addition, rollovers are more common in vehicles that are top-heavy such as SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans. An automobile maker or parts manufacturer could be found negligent if it could have done more to protect against rollovers.
Poor road conditions.
The majority of rollover crashes take place on rural roads, which carry combined perils of high speed limits and lack of protective barriers. If a local government or maintenance company did not repair potholes, remove objects in the road, or install guardrails, it may be to blame for hazardous road conditions.
Driver negligence.
A driver’s actions may play a role in causing injuries to passengers or occupants of other vehicles as the result of a rollover. If the driver was drunk, speeding, distracted, or did not take proper action to avoid a crash, victims and their families may file injury lawsuits against the negligent driver.
Have You Been Injured Due To The Negligence Of Others?
If you've been injured you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Warwick office directly at 401.946.3200 to schedule your free consultation. We help clients in Providence, Warwick and all areas of Rhode Island.
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