Orange County Accident Lawyer Blog

Baker: Semi Struck, Killed Driver Juanita Mullin on Interstate 15

Baker: Semi Struck, Killed Driver Juanita Mullin on Interstate 15

Kern County: Passenger Rudy Pinedo Killed in Semi Crash

Passenger Rudy Pinedo was killed in a semi crash in Kern County. A California truck accident lawyer discusses the crash.

Los Angeles: Truck Driver Elba Elizabeth Escobar Killed in Collision with Mercedes

Last Tuesday, lunch truck driver Elba Elizabeth Escobar was killed in a collision with a Mercedes. A California truck accident attorney discusses the crash.

Bakersfield: Jaimy Norene Gentry Killed in Semi Crash

On March 8th, Jaimy Norene Gentry was killed in a semi crash in Bakersfield. A California truck accident lawyer discusses the accident.

San Clemente: Semi Ran Red Light, Critically Injured Kiley Jones and Kevyn Menges

Kiley Jones and Kevyn Menges remain in critical condition after a semi ran a red light and struck their SUV, explains an Orange County truck accident lawyer.

Santa Fe Springs: 605 Freeway Semi Crash Seriously Injured Child

A child was seriously injured in a semi crash on the 605 Freeway in Santa Fe Springs last Tuesday. A California truck accident lawyer discusses the collision.

Two Injured in Semi Crash on 57 Freeway

This morning, two drivers were injured in a semi crash on the 57 Freeway. A California truck accident lawyer discusses the incident.

Koreatown: Truck Accident at Yoshinoya Injured Six

Yesterday, a truck accident at Yoshinoya in Koreatown injured six people. A California truck accident attorney discusses the crash.

Hilmar: Modesto Woman Critically Injured in Crash Involving Two Semi Trucks

Yesterday, a Modesto woman was critically injured in a crash involving two semi trucks in Hilmar. A California truck accident lawyer discusses the collision.

El Dorado: Semi’s Brakes Fail, Causing Fatal Accident

Last night, a semi truck's brakes failed on Highway 50 in El Dorado, causing a fatal accident. A California truck accident attorney discusses the crash.

Anaheim: Three Injured in Semi Accident

On Monday, June 6th, three people were injured in a semi accident in Anaheim. An Orange County truck accident attorney discusses the crash.

San Bernardino: Chase Scarbough Died After Johnson Valley Off-Road Accident

Yesterday, Chase Scarbough died from the injuries he sustained in a Johnson Valley off-road accident. A California truck accident attorney discusses the crash.

Studio City: One Seriously Injured in Semi Accident on 101 Freeway

This morning, the driver of a SUV was seriously injured in a semi accident on the 101 Freeway in Studio City. A California truck accident attorney discusses the incident.

Gorman: Fatal Collision Between Minivan And Truck Carrying Inmate-Staffed L.A. County Fire Crew Killed Two

Two people were killed and several others injured when a minivan and a truck carrying an inmate-staffed Los Angeles County fire crew collided on Highway 138 near Gorman. A California truck accident lawyer offers an account of the accident.

Placentia Big-Rig Accident Injured Driver of Car

Early this morning, a collision involving two big rigs injured the driver of a car in Placentia.

Barstow Semi-Truck Accident Among Multiple Truck Accidents In August

Multiple Semi-Truck Accidents Throughout California in the Span of Just One Month Prompt an Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer To Discuss Common Causes of Truck Accidents and Methods for Avoidance

Over 10,000 die in rollover accidents. The real dangers of SUV, Minivans and trucks.

The rollover accident is by far the deadliest risk facing SUV, minivan and truck drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more than 280,000 rollover accidents are reported each year and sadly, over 10,000 fatalities. These types of accidents are usually twofold; first the rollover occurs and then the roof crushes in and seriously injuries the occupants causing major head trauma. Rollover crashes result in 36% more passenger injuries than non-rollover accidents and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has researched that if SUV’s were just one inch lower, deaths would by decreases by one half.

A SUV is 3 times as likely to rollover in an accident as a typical sedan. There are two main reasons for this; vehicle’s stability and high center of gravity. Rollover accidents are directly related to a vehicles’ center of gravity and the track width (The distance between the left and right wheel). A narrow track and high center of gravity can make a vehicle unstable while performing fast or sharp turns. In addition to the center of gravity, vehicle stability is also influenced by weight/passenger loads in the vehicle.

Beyond the physical characteristics of SUV, vans and trucks, additional causes of rollovers are tire blowouts, malfunctioning auto parts and of course, driver error. Maintaining correct tire pressure and performing normal vehicle maintenance will prevent some incidences. However, quick jerky motions are dangerous in high profile vehicles as well as high speeds.

The IIHS has recently released its “Top Safety Picks” for 2010 and the list was unusually short due to tougher standards for roof strength this model year. Twenty seven vehicles; 19 cars and 8 SUV’s made the coveted list. To earn a five star rating, the vehicle must be able to withstand four times its weight without crumpling more than 5 inches.

Subaru, Ford, Volkswagen, and Audi were winners in multiple categories. If you are considering purchasing a new vehicle, check the IIHS’s website, www.iihs.org/ for a full list of winners.
The Foundation for Traffic Safety has compiled some safety tips to reduce your involvement in a rollover accident.

·    Don’t drive too fast--The faster you drive, the less time you will have to react to an emergency that suddenly appears on the road in front of you. Braking harder and steering more sharply can compromise the safe control of your vehicle.
·    Steering-- Many rollovers occur when drivers overcorrect their steering in response to an unexpected situation, such as encountering a stopped vehicle or accidently driving off the pavement. Sudden steering maneuvers at high speeds or on soft surfaces can lead to rollovers.
·    Know proper maneuvering—if your vehicle leaves the paved road surface, slow down gradually, don’t stomp on your brakes. When it is safe to turn again, slowly merge back on the roadway. Never jerk your steering wheel to get back on the road.
·    Be extra careful on rural roads—75% of rollover accidents happen on rural roads.
·    Tires—improperly inflated or worn tires can make a dangerous situation worse; monitor correct pressure and replace tires when worn.
·    Vehicle loading—consult your owner’s manual for proper safe loading techniques of your vehicle. Realize that any load placed on the roof will raise your vehicles’ center of gravity, increasing the risk of a rollover.
Lastly, when purchasing a new vehicle, research rollover ratings at www.safercar.gov/