Man Critically Injured After Rollover

A man has been critically injured after his pickup truck crashed and rolled. Eyewitnesses told police that the man was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on South Gessner at Cravens around 12:15 a.m. when he approached a curve in the road and other motorists. He swerved to try and get around another vehicle, but struck a curb, hit another car, then skidded off the road and flipped at least four times. The driver, who was ejected from the truck, was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition. No one else was hurt in the collision. A rollover accident one of the most severe and terrifying kinds of accidents to have while driving. They can cause very serious injuries such as head and neck trauma, as well as death. No one wants to be involved in a rollover accident. Fortunately there are ways to prevent them. There are two different kinds of rollover accidents. Tripped rollovers occur when something causes a vehicle to begin rolling. A prime example of this is when a vehicle goes off the road and the driver over-corrects or turns the steering wheel too hard in order to get back onto the roadway. The vehicle tires will dig into the softer ground, which will provide the tipping point for the vehicle to begin rolling. Other tipping points may include medians, guardrails , curbs or even other vehicles. The second kind of rollover is known as an untripped roll. This will happen usually when a vehicle is top heavy or has a higher center of gravity. SUV’s and some large pickup trucks have a higher center of gravity and are more prone to rollover accidents than regular passenger cars are. You can prevent rollover accidents by: Wear seat belts – Seat belts serve a purpose of keeping safely in your seat so that you are not thrown about in an accident. Most states in the U.S. have laws that require the use of seat belts and child restraints. In spite of this, approximately half of all rollover fatalities occur when a person is either partially or completely ejected from the vehicle. Nearly three-quarters of the people who are ejected from a vehicle are killed, no matter what kind of accident it is. Check Your Tire Pressure – Check your owner’s manual for the recommended tire pressure or PSI. Be certain that all the tires are properly inflated, have a decent amount of tread and are in overall good shape. Don’t Overload Your Vehicle – When a vehicle is overloaded, it decreases its overall stability. This is especially true in the case of SUV’s and pickup trucks where the center of gravity is higher. Placing heavy loads on the roof of a vehicle, via a cargo carrier, for example, also increases a vehicle’s center of gravity. Placing the heaviest cargo low on the floor, as far from the rear end and as close to the center of the vehicle as possible will decrease your chances of tipping because of a poorly distributed load. Pay Attention to your Rate of Speed –  The faster the rate of speed a vehicle travels, the more it increases the chance of a rollover accident. Taking a turn or a curve too quickly can cause a deadly rollover accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly  three-quarters of all fatal rollover accidents happen on undivided highways or on rural roads where the speed limit is 55 mph or more. Avoiding Distracted Driving – Try not to use a cellphone, MP3 player, or GPS device while you are driving. If you must use any of these devices, it is best to safely pull off of the road and get back on again only after you have finished. It only takes three seconds for a vehicle travelling 55 miles per hour to travel the distance of a football field. Practice Defensive Driving – You can never successfully predict all of the potential hazards of the road or what another driver may do behind the wheel. An animal such as a deer may dart in front of you, or another driver may approach you too fast from behind, turn into your path, or slam on their brakes unexpectedly. It pays to always be prepared for the unexpected when you get behind the wheel. Know Your Vehicle – Every vehicle has its strengths and its limitations. Every vehicle responds differently in terms of the road, how it handles, the stiffness of the brakes and clutch, even how quickly it accelerates or decelerates. Having all of these factors in mind while you are driving are a good way to help avoid accidents such as rollovers. If you or a loved one have been involved in any kind of rollover accident, whether that accident involved an SUV, a car or other kind of vehicle, give our offices a call. Our attorneys have successfully represented clients in the Texas courts for many years. The time and money needed for victims of rollover accidents can be very high. Medical expenses, physical therapy to help recover from temporary or even permanent injury, plus the loss of income can add up quickly. We will take the time to listen to the details then outline what the next steps should be in proceeding with your case. We will make certain that we get the compensation that you and your loved ones are entitled to. Your initial consultation is free, confidential and without obligation. We are here to help.