A serious single-car rollover accident on I-290 in Northborough is under investigation. Massachusetts State Police reported that around 1 p.m. on Saturday, a Mazda rolled over in the median between the east and west-bound lanes. The female driver and the male passenger have been taken to the Worcester UMass Memorial Medical Center. Although their names have not yet been released, police confirmed that the passenger´s injuries were very severe.
Data produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that approximately 85% of rollover fatalities are the result of single-vehicle crashes. Most rollover accidents do not involve another vehicle and thus the status of the driver at the time of the crash is a key factor in the crash.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reports that 15% of vehicles involved in Massachusetts fatal crashes were rollovers in 2006.
Driving while exhausted, distracted, and under the influence can lead to a higher chance of rollover accidents. Properly inflated tires and ensuring that your cargo weight is not too heavy for your vehicle can also increase your ability to maintain vehicle control.
A tripped rollover, or a rollover caused by the tires digging into soft soil or hitting an object, can occur due to any of the following circumstances:
• Soft soil • Guardrail • Another vehicle • Steep slope
When involved in a Massachusetts car accident, it is advised that you contact an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer.
Sources:
Single-car rollover accident on I-290 seriously injures one, TheDailyNorthborough.com, May 07, 2011
Roadway Safety Tips, Massachusetts Department of Transportation
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Man Injured in Mass. Pike Rollover
If you have been injured on the road, an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer can advise you.