SUV is Slammed by a Semi Truck After Rolling Over on Florida Turnpike
A woman from Orange Park, Florida, lost her life in a car crash on the Florida Turnpike after she lost control of her Ford Explorer. The Explorer was flipped onto its roof and then hit by a semi truck. The 19-year-old victim was one of five students and recent graduates from the University of Florida who were in the sports utility vehicle when it crashed. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver lost control of the car, which resulted in the vehicle landing on its roof and blocking the southbound traffic lanes. The driver of the semi truck tried to swerve out of the way, but he could not avoid striking the Explorer on the driver’s side. Two of the occupants of the Explorer were able to exit the vehicle before the semi truck struck it. In addition to the driver who lost her life, two other passengers of the Explorer are currently in serious condition, and two others escaped with only minor injuries.
What causes rollover accidents?
According to Consumer Reports, any car can be involved in a rollover accident, but there is a much higher risk of rollover in tall, narrower vehicles, such as vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks. Those vehicles generally have a higher center of gravity and are more top-heavy. Ultimately, sideways forces develop when a vehicle rounds a curve and its center of gravity shifts to one side, which has an effect on the vehicle’s balance. The lateral forces also increase with speed and with rapid change of direction, such as when a driver makes too sharp of a turn one way and then overcorrects the other way. Although sharp turns cause some rollovers, most single-vehicle rollovers are not caused by steering maneuvers, but rather by swerving into a curb, pothole, or a soft roadside shoulder.
How to Stay Safe if You Are Involved in a Rollover Accident
There are several steps you can take that will greatly increase your chances of surviving a rollover accident. First, always wear your safety belt. Safety belts help keep you in your seat so you are not tossed around in a rollover crash. About half of all rollover fatalities occur when people are partly or completely ejected from the vehicle. Additionally, check your tires and make sure they are in good shape and properly inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Check your inflation pressure once a month to ensure that your tires are still safe to use. You should also watch your speed because about 40 percent of fatal rollovers occur when the driver is using excessive speed.
If you are involved in a car accident and need help recovering damages for the injuries you sustained or to cover costs of repairing property, contact the West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP.
