This blog recently discussed the serious injuries and harm that can result from SUV accidents. Statistics show that the largest number of fatal car accident victims are occupants of passenger vehicles, including SUVs. In addition, SUVs are more likely to be involved in rollover crashes. During 2013, there were a total of 621 fatal car accidents in Oklahoma, which resulted in 678 deaths.
In the United States, 7,067 passenger vehicle occupants died in rollover crashes during 2013. In addition, during that same time period, rollover accidents accounted for 33 percent of all deaths of passenger vehicle occupants. Vehicles, such as SUVs, are classified as rolling over during a car accident if the vehicle tips to its side or onto its roof at any point during the accident. Rollovers oftentimes occur while or after a vehicle leaves the roadway and can lead to passengers being ejected from the vehicle, which increases the likelihood of fatalities that may result.
Rollovers, including SUV rollovers, can occur following an impact or contact with another vehicle at some point on the vehicle, including a frontal, side or rear impact. During 2013, there were 2,051 victims killed in SUV rollover crashes. Of that total, 37 percent were killed when the vehicle rolled over following a frontal impact; 14 percent were killed when the vehicle rolled over following a side impact; and four percent were killed when the vehicle rolled over following a rear impact.
Because of the serious nature of SUV accidents, which can result in significant injuries, harm and death, different options, such as personal injury and wrongful death claims, may be available to victims and their families. Individuals in this situation may be able to protect themselves by exercising legal options that may allow them to recover compensation for damages suffered in an SUV accident.
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute, “General Statistics,” accessed June 9, 2015
