Articles Posted in Rollover Accidents

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While many more teen driving accidents occurred during the roughly 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day ( the 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers), the winter also posses a significant risk for teen drivers who are not accustomed to driving in winter weather conditions.  Teens tend to take unnecessary risks with snow and ice and that makes matters worse.  The result is often a serious or even deadly rollover accident.

Rollover Crash Characteristics

car accident BostonThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps detailed statistics on rollover crashes across the U.S. including the number of fatal rollover crashes.  This data is separated into various “characteristics” of rollover crashes.  The following are some significant findings from the study: Continue reading

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According to a recent news article from The Boston Globe, two people were sent to a local Boston hospital following a serious rollover car accident on Interstate 93. Authorities say the victims were an adult male and adult woman who were seriously injured when their vehicle rolled over after they were involved in a multi-vehicle accident on the Mass Pike.

274334_car_crashThe accident occurred close to Exit 12 in Dorchester in the southbound travel lanes of the Mass Pike just prior to 10 p.m. First responders immediately responded to the serious rollover accident and provided immediate medical attention to the two adult victims in the upside down vehicle, and they managed to extract them. First responders then transported the two accident victims to a local Boston level-one trauma center, where they are listed as being in serious condition.

Massachusetts State Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the serious multi-vehicle Boston car accident. They have not yet released the total number of cars involved, the total number of injuries, or any more information about what exactly happened. It took them several hours to complete their investigation and remove the wrecked vehicles from the car accident scene, and the Mass Pike was at a virtual standstill for a number of hours following the accident. While this is far from an official report, some witnesses speculated speeding was involving in the accident, as people are known to travel through the tunnel at speeds well in excess of the posted speed limit.
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Car accidents in which a vehicle rolls over are among the scariest and potentially most serious accidents. According to a recent report from NECN, a serious car accident killed one victim and left another injured.

735498_snow_squallAuthorities say victims’ vehicle swerved to avoid snow in the roadway and flipped over during the maneuver. One victim was thrown from the vehicle and died as result of her injuries. She was 22 years-old. A second occupant of the vehicle was also injured in the accident. She is 19 years-old and was the driver of the vehicle involved in this single vehicle accident. First responders rushed her to a local Massachusetts hospital, where her condition is not thought to be serious.

Police say no charges have been filed in connection with this accident, and there is no information as to whether driver was cited for any moving violations.
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Safety features have been evolving since the invention of the automobile. From new designs to seat belts and anti-lock brakes, manufacturers, legislators, and public health advocates have emphasized the importance of safety in automobiles. Now technology is playing a role and having an impact on how safe a vehicle is for passengers, as well as other vehicles sharing the road.

While older safety features focus on preventing injury in the event of an accident, safety technology focuses overall accident prevention. Safety analysts project that this is an important shift from “passive safety” features, which intend to keep passengers safe in the event of an accident, to more active technology which aims to stop accidents before they happen. Our Massachusetts car accident lawyers are dedicated to public safety and in aiming to prevent future collisions and injuries. We are also committed to staying abreast of new technology that aims to meet these goals.

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According to reports, the Department of Transportation was recently sued by public interest groups for failing to pass requirements that all new cars have rear-view cameras. Safety experts assert that this technology can prevent rollovers and other accidents so that drivers can see what is behind them before they back up. This is one of many safety features installed in new vehicles, which takes a preventative approach to passenger safety.
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Following a single-car accident in Charlton, one woman is dead and two men are injured. According to MassLIVE, the accident happened on the Massachusetts Turnpike after the female’s car rolled at roughly 11:00 a.m.

The female was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. The two others were taken to the Worcester hospital.
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According to law enforcement officials, it happened in the westbound lanes of the Turnpike. One was ejected and one other had to be extricated from the accident by firefighters. Because of the accident, Mass Pike was backed up for more than 2 hours as the road was closed so that medical helicopters could land on the highway. The accident did not affect the eastbound traffic.

Our Charlton car accident attorneys understand that rollover accidents are responsible for about a third of all highway vehicle occupant fatalities. Rollover accidents tend to be more serious than other kinds of accidents. Light trucks and SUVs have an occupant fatality fate of about 50 percent when talking about rollover accidents. For heavier trucks, that number jumps to about 60 percent.

There are a number of factors that can lead to a rollover accident. Some of these factors include the type of vehicle, the speed at while the vehicle is traveling and how exactly the driver is handling the vehicle. Because of the complex and severe nature of these kinds of accidents, the cause, the person or the object that may have contributed to the accident may not always be clear to investigating officials.

Some rollover factors:

-The kind of vehicle involved. Even though any kind of vehicle can be involved in a rollover accident, there are certain kinds of vehicles that are more likely to roll than others. Vehicles that have a higher center of gravity and those that are narrower and taller have a higher incidence of rollover accidents.

-The conditions of the road. Roads that are slick from the weather and those that are not properly maintained can increase the risks for a rollover accident.

-The speed of your vehicle. About 75 percent of deadly rollover accidents happen in a zone with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour or more. About 40 percent of rollover fatalities involve speed.

-The way you drive. Most rollover accidents are single-vehicle accidents that happen during normal driving maneuvers, like turning right or getting off of a highway. It’s when drivers are distracted, are under the influence of alcohol or are not cautious at the wheel that these kinds of accidents happen.

-They’re likely to happen in rural areas. In these areas where this is a speed limit of at least 55 miles per hour, these accidents are likely to happen. They account for about 70 percent of all deadly rollover accidents.
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A father daughter duo is recovering after their vehicle flipped over as they were driving through the Thomas P. O’Neill tunnel. Luckily, there were two MBTA transit officers who were nearby who came to their rescue and saved them from their overturned car, according to the Boston Globe. Had the officers not of witnessed the Boston car accident, the results could have been tragic.
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The accident happened at roughly 2:00 p.m. The two officers were heading North on I-93 on their way to Woburn when they spotted the two motorists in trouble. It all happened when their vehicle suddenly shot forward. The driver lost control, slammed the car into a wall causing it spin and flip over into its roof. The father and the daughter were left trapped in their vehicle. Officers who witnessed the accident were able to use a crowbar from their cruiser to help to release the occupants.

Our Boston accident lawyers understand that driving along our city’s roadways can be a dangerous task. Our city has some of the most hectic traffic patterns, with small lanes of traffic packed with plenty of vehicles. It’s important to keep your full attention on the road when driving, especially when driving through our state’s tunnels. Accidents are likely, but they can be prevented when a driver takes the proper safety precautions. Remember to keep distractions out of the driver’s seat, obey all road signs and posted speed limits and be courteous to all other drivers. We’re all in this together and we need to be cautious to help to keep one another safe.

“They were conscious and they were shaking,” said Detective Patrick Guilfoy. “They were in shock.”

Guilfoy said that he had to cut the seat belt off of the little girl. She was in the back seat with it wrapped around her neck.

After the father and the daughter were rescued from their overturned vehicle, they were both taken to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Guilfoy said that once the victims were off to the hospital, it was time for their next issue, getting the traffic around the accident scene. It all caused two lanes of the interstate to be shut down.

The driver involved in this accident was ticketed.

When driving through a tunnel:

-Make sure that you keep a good distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Never tailgate.

-Always obey the posted speed limits, both the minimum and the maximum. Going too slow or too fast greatly increases your risks for an accident. Obey the speed limits and stay with the flow of traffic.

-Never make a U-turn or reverse.

-Don’t stop, except in an emergency. Stopping is how a lot of chain-reaction accidents are started.

-Turn on your low-beam headlights.

-Take off your sunglasses.
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Two people were injured in a recent rollover accident in Rehoboth. The accident occurred on Interstate 195 near exit 2 at roughly 3:00 a.m. Police reports indicate that the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle, which flew off the road and then flipped into a ditch. Both the driver and a passenger of the SUV were trapped in the vehicle when emergency response teams arrived. The Massachusetts State Police (MSP) are currently investigating the accident, according to the Providence Journal.
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Our Boston car accident attorneys understand that rollovers are the most common types of one-vehicle accidents on our roadways. Some vehicles, including SUVs and trucks, are more likely to be involved in rollover accidents than others. In 2009, there were nearly 8,500 people killed in rollover car accidents across the United States. These accidents are more likely to happen in rural areas than in urban areas. Drivers are asked to be cautious when traveling in larger vehicles. Safe driving habits can help to minimize the risks of a rollover accident.

Characteristic of Rollover Accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

-About two-thirds of unbelted people involved in rollover accidents are completely ejected from the vehicle.

-Most fatal accidents are single-vehicle accidents.

-Rollover accidents are more likely to result in fatalities than any other type of traffic accident.

-Rollover accidents account for about 20 percent of all fatal accidents.

-The number of fatal SUV rollover accidents has more than doubled since 1991.

-Males under the age of 40 are involved in the most rollover accidents. Most of these accidents happen on two-way roads without dividing barriers.

-Speed is a common factor in most rollover accidents. Most accidents happen on roadways with speed limits off 55 miles per hour or greater.

Drivers of SUVs are cautioned about rollover accidents. It’s these vehicles that are more likely to be involved in a rollover vehicle accident because of their weight and their height. Despite passing federal safety standards created to enhance safety, there’s no denying that sport utility vehicles are more dangerous than any standard car on the market.

These accidents are most likely happen, like the Reehoboth accident, when a vehicle runs off the road. Usually, something trips the vehicle, like soft ground, a roadway shoulder or a curb, and the vehicle starts to flip over.

Tips to Avoid a Rollover Accident:

-If you’re looking at purchasing and SUV, make sure you look for a wide one that comes equipped with electronic stability control (ESC).

-Be cautious while driving and avoid sudden sharp turns.

-Watch your speed. SUVs are most likely to rollover when traveling at a fast rate of speed.

-Keep an eye on your tires. Make sure they’re not worn and they’re properly inflated. Poorly-maintained tires increase your risks for an accident.

-Never drive under the influence of alcohol.

-Adjust your driving to different weather and road conditions.
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An SUV rollover accident in Massachusetts on Route 495 left one man with serious injuries recently, according to Boston 5. Troopers received a number reports from a several witnesses that said that a second vehicle may have cut off the victim’s car and caused the accident.

The driver of the flipped car was ejected during the rollover and was later taken to Jordan Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the second vehicle involved in the accident was later arrested and is being charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, according to state troopers. The southbound lanes of Route 495 were closed and traffic was detoured over to Route 138.
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Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that some vehicles may be deemed safer than others through a number of studies. In the past, drivers of sport utility vehicles were scrutinized because of the vehicles’ frequent rollover incidents. The main cause used to be because they were so top heavy. Now, these larger vehicles provide more safety feature for occupants, making them least likely to die in a accident, according to the latest death rates from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

“The change is due largely to the widespread availability of electronic stability control (ESC), which helps prevent rollovers. With the propensity to roll over reduced, SUVs are on balance safer than cars because their bigger size and weight provide greater protection in a crash,” reports the IIHS.

The makers of these vehicles also have an influence on your safety in the event of an accident. Currently, South Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia and German car makers such as Volkswagen are topping insurance industry’s yearly list of the safest new vehicles. These vehicles are chosen for their ability to protect an occupant during a front, side and rear crash test. For an automobile to qualify for the award, the insurance industry group requires that vehicle to have anti-rollover electronic stability control and receive top scores in their roof-strength test.

According to statistics, American cars ranked beneath foreign cars when researchers studied death rates. Out of Detroit’s Big Three, the statistics rank Chrysler Group as the clear winner, followed by Ford Motor Co., then General Motors Co:

-Chrysler ranked number one for the safest in the U.S. market with four vehicles: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler two- and four- door and Dodge Dakota. Each of these vehicles placed in the top 25 for having the lowest rates of driver deaths and had no vehicles in the bottom 25.

-Ford had one vehicle, the Edge, in the top 25 lowest rates of driver deaths. Unfortunately, Ford had two Ranger pickup models that placed in the bottom 25.

-GM had six vehicles in the bottom 25, including Chevrolet Aveo, Cobalt, Malibu Classic, Colorado and Buick Lucerne and LaCrosse. GM had no vehicles that placed in the top 25.

The study concluded that non-American automakers took 20 out of the 25 spots for lowest death rates.They also took 17 out of 25 spots for having the highest death rates, according to Mlive.com.

This is another reason why not only the type of vehicle you choose can potentially save your life in an accident, but the maker of the vehicle you choose can contribute to your safety as well. Do your research on what type of vehicle to buy, but also practice safe driving habits to reduce accidents on our streets and highways.
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The Times Herald-Record recently reported on a tractor trailer rolling over with a load of more than 45,000 pounds of oranges. The truck driver told law enforcement that as he was rounding a curve heading into an exit when he felt his load shift, causing the truck to leave the roadway onto the shoulder where it overturned. There were no reported injuries and clean-up crews spent many hours offloading the trailer.

Our Boston truck accident lawyers find this story interesting in light of two bills in Congress involving semi truck weights.
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The Coalition for Transportation Productivity is strongly in favor of SETA (Safe and Efficient Transportation Act), a bill that would give states the option to increase truck weight limits from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds for six-axle vehicles. The group says requiring a sixth axle would maintain braking capacity and weight distribution, and minimize road wear. It also mentions the increase in user fees could be used for bridge repair. They also think that with fewer trucks on the roads, motorists would be safer.

The Teamsters and safety advocates are fiercely opposed to SETA and support SHIPA (Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act). This bill proposes that it would leave the current weight limits in place. They argue that the heavier trucks would accelerate road wear and tear, and that our bridges wouldn’t be able to handle the loads. They counter that longer and heavier trucks would be much harder to stop and require a lengthy distance to come to a complete halt on our overcrowded roadways. Currently, an 80,000- pound truck traveling at 55 mph takes 400 feet to stop on perfect road conditions.

Earlier this month the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a two day forum in Washington D.C. that focused on truck and bus safety. One idea that is being considered to decrease driver fatigue is to limit driving hours to 10 a day. The current limit is 11 hours in a 14-hour work day, and truckers can drive 70 hours every eight days.
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“We must remain vigilant in addressing roadway safety issues where the greatest impact can be made, such as distracted and teen driving. As miles traveled start to rise again from recession lows, we want to ensure the continuance of this downward trend,” says Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council.

Boston car accidents and accidents elsewhere in 2010 are down 3 percent from the previous year. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), nearly 35,000 fatalities occurred in 2010. Experts credit the recession as a main factor for the decreased number of car accidents.
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Boston personal injury lawyers encourage you to practice safe driving habits regardless of the recent statistics. Although fatalities in Boston resulting from car accidents continue to decrease, we must continue to do our part to keep our roads safe. According to NSC, Massachusetts suffered 330 car accident fatalities in 2010.

NSC points fingers at a number of variables that contribute to the decrease in fatalities. They start be crediting law enforcement — including laws and regulations regarding child passengers, distracted driving, teen driving and seat belt usage. Many say the reduction in motor vehicle accidents is largely credited to new state driving laws, such as hand-held phone and texting bans and seat belt laws.

Motor vehicles not only cause devastating injury and fatalities to vehicle occupants, they also present a large amount of cost in medical expenses, employer costs, property damage, lost wages and productivity, and administrative expenses. In 2010, the estimate cost for car accident injuries, fatalities and property damages was nearly $227 billion, also a 3 present decrease from 2009.

The Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles would like to offer you a few resources:

–Massachusetts Driver’s Handbook

–Massachusetts State Police

–DMV customer service and RMV locations.

We ask that all residents and visitors continue to practice safe driving habits on Massachusetts roads in hopes of decreasing fatality rates even more.
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