Florida Personal Injury Blog
Rollover accidents on highways can be very dangerous and often result in serious injuries or fatalities. These accidents can occur for several reasons, including:
- Vehicle design: Some vehicles have a higher center of gravity, making them more susceptible to rollovers.
- Speeding: High speeds can increase the likelihood of rollover accidents, especially when a driver takes a curve too fast or overcorrects when veering off the road.
- Driver behavior: Drivers who are distracted, impaired, or fatigued are more likely to cause rollover accidents.
- Road conditions: Uneven or slippery road surfaces can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, leading to a rollover accident.
To prevent rollover accidents on highways, it is important to implement safety measures such as:
- Vehicle safety features: Vehicles equipped with electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and other safety features can help prevent rollover accidents.
- Driver education: Educating drivers on safe driving practices, including avoiding distractions, obeying traffic laws, and driving within the speed limit can help prevent rollover accidents.
- Road maintenance: Maintaining roads and highways, including ensuring proper drainage, fixing potholes and uneven surfaces, and removing debris can help prevent rollover accidents.
- Enforcing traffic laws: Strict enforcement of traffic laws, including speed limits, drunk driving laws, and distracted driving laws can also help prevent rollover accidents.
By taking these steps, highways can be made safer, and the number of rollover accidents can be reduced.
Types of Injuries involved in Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents can be extremely dangerous and often result in serious injuries. The type and severity of injuries sustained depend on various factors such as the speed of the vehicle, the angle of the rollover, and whether the occupants were wearing seat belts.
Here are some common injuries that can occur after a rollover accident:
- Head and Brain Injuries: Head injuries are common in rollover accidents, especially if the occupants were not wearing seat belts. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can result in long-term damage to the brain and even death.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Rollover accidents can also cause spinal cord injuries, which can result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries can be caused by the impact of the rollover or by objects within the vehicle striking the occupants.
- Broken Bones: Broken bones are also common in rollover accidents, and can occur in any part of the body. These injuries can range from minor fractures to more severe compound fractures that require surgery.
- Cuts and Bruises: Occupants can sustain cuts, bruises, and other soft tissue injuries as a result of the impact of the rollover or from being struck by objects within the vehicle.
- Internal Injuries: Rollover accidents can also cause internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding. These injuries can be difficult to detect and may require medical imaging to diagnose.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately after a rollover accident, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and delaying treatment can result in further complications or even death.
What to do after an accident on the highway
If you are involved in a highway accident, there are several steps you should take:
- Move to a safe location: If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid further accidents.
- Check for injuries: Check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is seriously injured.
- Call the police: Even if the accident is minor, it is important to call the police to report the incident.
- Exchange information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident.
- Take pictures: Take pictures of the damage to both vehicles and any injuries sustained.
- Contact your insurance company: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, it is important to seek medical attention after an accident to ensure there are no underlying injuries.
Remember, always prioritize safety first and follow any instructions given by emergency responders or law enforcement officers on the scene.
Drunk Driving and Accidents
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) used a powerful image to raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving among American Heritage Schools’ students in Plantation. The organization brought a crashed car to the Broward Campus on Wednesday ahead of prom night and graduation. The Plantation Fire Department also participated in the event, using heavy equipment and mannequins to demonstrate how they extract victims from car crashes. The school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club collaborated with MADD on this initiative. Dr. Doug Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools, emphasized the importance of educating youth about the perils of impaired and destructive driving, particularly during special celebrations. Among the event’s attendees was Tess Rowland, an American Heritage Schools alumna and MADD’s National President, who suffered life-threatening injuries almost two years ago when an alleged drunk driver hit her head-on while she was driving to her job as a TV news reporter in Panama City Beach.
RECENT ROLL OVER CAR AND TRUCK ACCIDENTS
KENDALL: On May 27th, 2023, a rollover accident occurred near Kendall Drive on the Florida Turnpike, resulting in the closure of southbound lanes and significant rush hour traffic congestion. Emergency crews promptly arrived at the scene, and one individual was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. A traffic camera captured footage of a sedan overturned on the southbound lanes. Presently, the Florida Highway Patrol and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units are investigating the incident and have temporarily shut down three southbound lanes. Motorists are advised to steer clear of the affected area and seek alternate routes. Local authorities are actively working to determine the factors that contributed to this crash in Kendall. (Source: 7 News Miami)