If you are like many North Carolina residents, you might favor SUVs over smaller vehicles. With all the latest safety equipment available, they are believed to be safer for drivers and passengers. However, SUVs are at a higher risk of rollover accidents. There are a few reasons why this is the case.
Why SUVs are prone to rollovers
SUVs have a larger, bulkier design than cars and are heavier. Their center of gravity can be affected by any sharp turn or the impact of motor vehicle accidents. The level of force can have a pendulum-like effect, leading to the driver losing control and the vehicle rolling over.
Most SUV rollovers occur because of an outside factor and not just because the driver loses control of their steering. Typically, what’s known as a “trip” can lead to a rollover accident.
Types of SUV rollover accidents
An SUV can get into a rollover accident when the driver swerves to avoid hitting an obstacle in the road such as another vehicle, pedestrian or animal. It could cause the vehicle to strike a surface other than the road. Although this often involves a guardrail, it could even be something as mundane as soil from the shoulder of the road. When the tires dig in because the soil is very soft, it can cause a trip, leading to a rollover.
Steep slopes can also lead to SUV rollover accidents. If a driver travels at too fast a speed while going down a hill, they could misjudge while making a turn, which could cause the SUV to roll over. The same can happen while traveling uphill when the incline is very steep. This causes the vehicle’s center of gravity to be much higher and could cause a rollover accident.
Rollover accidents are among the most dangerous, often resulting in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. SUV owners can minimize their risk by using defensive driving techniques at all times.
