Rollover accidents in Homestead, Hollywood, and other Florida communities can occur with large trucks because commercial vehicles such as big rigs and tractor-trailers have a high center of gravity. The height compared and the width of these trucks make them susceptible to rollovers in a number of situations:
- Speeding. Speed allows the truck driver to lose control of the car, which can easily lead to a rollover.
- Uneven roads. Road design and road maintenance can easily lead to a rollover. Commercial trucks rolling over curbs or into potholes are temporarily unbalanced, which can lead to a risk of rollovers.
- Poor distribution of cargo. Cargo needs to be properly distributed to so the weight is dispersed over an area. Overloaded trucks – especially where cargo is distributed unevenly – have an especially high risk of rollovers. Tankers can also be at risk of rollovers if they are filled less than half way, since the weight of liquid will not balance out the height of the tanker. The liquid can slosh around inside the tanker when the truck is not filled up, and this sloshing can cause imbalance.
- Sharp turns. Sharp turns, especially when taken at speeds, pose a risk of rollovers because the truck driver can lose control.
- Tire issues. Tire blowouts can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicle temporarily, which can lead to a rollover. In addition, when tires are incorrectly inflated, one set of tires may be more inflated than another, causing an imbalance and potential rollover risk.
What happens in rollover accidents?
Rollover crashes involving tankers, big rigs, and other commercial vehicles are often dramatic because the truck may rollover multiple times before coming to rest. A truck driver may be protected by his or her cab, but other road users may be in danger. A rollover can cause many catastrophic situations:
- Cars, bicyclists, and other road users in the way may be crushed by the truck
- The truck may enter other lanes and cars may not have enough time to stop, causing secondary or even multiple-car accidents
- Tankers may spill their cargo, which can lead to hazardous toxin spills or secondary car accidents if the debris causes additional accidents
- The accident may slow traffic or block lanes, leading to frustration and secondary car accidents
- The collision may cause damage to the road and to signs, leading to additional accidents
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a truck rollover, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free case consultation. We’d be happy to evaluate your claim and tell you whether you have an option for legal action to seek compensation for your damages and injuries.