Are Semi-Trucks More Likely to Roll Over than Passenger Vehicles?

On any given day, you are likely to see hundreds of semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles on Georgia highways and roads. These vehicles are responsible for a broad range of essential functions, such as transporting cargo and hauling waste to designated facilities. While necessary, large commercial vehicles also pose an inherent risk of injury to the general public. When trucks are involved in accidents, the damage caused can be severe and widespread, and they are capable of causing serious bodily injury.’ Victims of truck accidents caused by negligence should be sure to consult with an experienced Peachtree City truck accident attorney as soon as possible in order to determine whether they have a claim.

Due to their unique construction, large trucks are prone to certain types of accidents that other smaller vehicles are not, such as rollover accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), large trucks’ high centers of gravity increase their risk of rolling over, particularly on segments of curved roadways. Some of the more common causes of rollover accidents include the following:

• Speeding
• High winds
• Oversteering
• Understeering
• Unsecured cargo
• Improperly loaded cargo
• Improper braking
• Taking turns too fast
• Collisions with other vehicles or objects
• Tire blowouts