On July 3rd, one person died and another was injured in a rollover crash on the Boulder Turnpike. Both victims had to be extricated from the vehicle, with one person pronounced dead on the scene and the other transported to the hospital. 

Last month, a man in Aurora was ejected from his vehicle in a rollover crash. The man's Chevrolet Monte Carlo was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit 4 other parked cars, rolling over and sending the driver out of the vehicle. When police responded, the man was transported to the University of Colorado Hospital. The man is not expected to survive.

Earlier this year, we wrote about another rollover accident in Aurora that killed the driver. In that accident, the driver failed to stop at an intersection, hit an outcropping of boulders, flipping the car and ejecting the driver. 

In a front-end or rear-end collision, vehicle safety features help protect the occupants from the force of the collision. Safety features include airbags, crumple zones, and seat belts that lock into place. However, many of these safety features are not as helpful in a rollover accident. 

Rollover Accident Statistics

Rollover accidents are classified as tripped or untripped. In a tripped rollover, the vehicle comes into contact with something like a curb, edge of the roadway, snowbank, improper road design, or unpaved surfaces. The change in traction may cause the vehicle to tip over, especially with high profile vehicles. The majority of rollover crashes are tripped. 

In a rollover accident, the force of the accident and occupant collision with the vehicle is not in one direction. In a rollover, the occupant may be thrown about inside the car, hitting multiple areas of the vehicle with various body parts. The collisions continue until the rollover stops. For example, a steering wheel airbag may not help the driver who is thrown side to side and up to the roof then down to the floor. 

According to a PBS Frontline report, in 2002, there were an estimated 70,000 rollover SUV accidents, which caused an estimated 2,000 deaths. The investigative report found that automakers and government regulators were aware of the dangers but did not take action to protect the public. Since then, some modifications have been made to improve safety. 

SUV Rollover Accidents in Denver

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) may be more likely to roll over in a crash than passenger cars. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), factors that influence the chance of rollover include vehicle type, speed, alcohol, location, and driving routine. 

Safety features in SUVs that can increase the safety and reduce the risk of a rollover accident include: 

• Variable Ride-Height Suspension (VRHS) - to lower the height of the vehicle and lower the center of gravity, depending on the speed and road conditions.
• Rollover Airbags - side-impact head airbags or curtains can also protect occupants from injury and ejection. 
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - stability control can help the vehicle continue traveling in the intended direction even when the vehicle begins to lose traction. 

Injury in a Rollover Accident in Denver  

Drivers and passengers who are injured in a rollover accident may be able to file a claim against a negligent driver or the vehicle manufacturer. If you have any questions about an injury accident or want to get more information about a claim for damages, consult with an experienced Denver auto accident lawyer. If you or a loved one has been injured because of a defective car or auto part, contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation. We are here waiting for you.