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Essential Tips to Help Reduce Your Chances of an SUV Rollover Crash

For many years it has been true that SUVs are the most popular car in the U.S. Unfortunately, they are also the vehicle that is most likely to rollover. One in three of all fatal car accidents in the U.S. involve SUVs. Understanding why they rollover can help drivers to prevent this from happening to them.

If you have been injured in an SUV accident, or have lost a loved one in this type of accident, we urge you to get a consultation with a legal professional. You can request a free case evaluation with an experienced personal injury attorney by calling The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000.

Why do SUVs rollover?

It is simple: SUVs and some pickup trucks are taller and narrower than the average vehicle. This gives them a higher center of gravity, which makes them more likely to roll over compared to other vehicles. They are heavier on the top than on the bottom, which can make it easier for any force from the side to tip them over. There are other factors that can cause them to tip over, such as driving at a high speed, putting too much cargo on the top, or swerving dramatically.

There are two types of rollovers: Tripped and untripped. Tripped are the most common and occur when an SUV is tripped by something like a curb, shoulder, or pothole. An untripped rollover happens when the top is too heavy and the driver takes a sudden action that leads to enough sideways force to roll the SUV over.

Newer SUV models are safer

The good news is that vehicle manufacturers are taking the issue seriously and have worked to ensure that newer models are safer. For example, new SUVs have electronic stability control, which detects when the driver has lost steering control. The vehicle then automatically applies the brakes to prevent skidding.

Overloading your SUV is unsafe

Another tip is to make sure that you do not overload your SUV. If you do, your vehicle will be much less stable. Check your owner’s manual if you are not sure how much weight your SUV can support. Take that number seriously and do not exceed it. Load heavier items closer to the base of the vehicle and put lighter items on the roof rack.

The right tires are important to prevent rollover

Grip is an important factor in safety from rollovers. You want enough grip but you do not want too much. The tires that came with your SUV are likely the safest. When it comes time to replace them, do so with the same type of tires. Do not use performance tires as they have too much grip. Keep your tires properly inflated to prevent issues.

If you have been injured in a rollover accident, or any other type of accident, then it is worth your time to contact a personal injury attorney to find out what your options are. You can contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker by calling 800-333-0000.