Moore County, N.C. — A male driver was seriously injured Oct. 20 in a rollover accident in front of the Belk department store in Southern Pines.
The driver, who authorities have not identified, was traveling through the intersection of Highway 15-501 and Morganton Road in an SUV at about 8:30 p.m. when his vehicle collided with a Honda Civic, according to a local news report.
The impact caused the SUV to roll down the highway before coming to rest upside down.
Firefighters removed the man from his vehicle and paramedics transported him by helicopter to a trauma center.
The driver of the other car was treated at the scene of the accident, which temporarily shut down the intersection and southbound lanes of Highway 15-501.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Southern Pines Police Department and no additional information was immediately available.
COMMENTARY ON ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS
I was deeply saddened to learn about the rollover accident in Southern Pines that claimed the life of an unidentified SUV driver. Details from the report are too scanty to pinpoint the cause of the two-car collision. We cannot discern whether mechanical failure, drugs or alcohol, distracted driving, excessive speed, or even road rage may have been factors. This terrible accident must be thoroughly investigated to make these determinations.
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Nevertheless, I have worked on hundreds of rollover cases in my 30-year-long personal injury law practice. I have witnessed first-hand the pain, suffering, and disruption the family of the victim endures as a result. Usually, negotiating the legal system and returning to normalcy is a long and agonizing process.
Unfortunately, rollover accidents are far too common on our roadways, particularly among light trucks and SUVs. I have studied the engineering design and safety problems of these vehicles extensively. What it basically boils down to is the wheelbase is too narrow for the height of the vehicle, causing a low Static Stability Factor. The Static Stability Factor is the value given a vehicle to determine the likelihood that the vehicle will roll in an accident. The lower the SSF, the more likely it is to roll on impact. To learn more about my research into rollover crashes read this study.
I will continue to lead the charge to raise awareness regarding the vehicle design flaws that contribute to the epidemic of rollover accidents we see on our highways. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased.
Disclaimer: At Ammons Law, we are constantly seeking to improve the quality and safety of our roads and highways. We post these articles to help improve safety within our community. All of the information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.
