A rollover crash is when a vehicle crashes into something and then rolls over at least once before coming to a stop. Rollover crashes have a very high fatality rate compared to other types of crashes. Supported by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are six main factors that contribute to the risk of vehicle rollover accidents. These are:
- The type of vehicle (SUVs and vans are more susceptible)
- Driving on rural roads (because they lack clear divisions and barriers that reduce the risk)
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving at high speeds
- Routine driving
- Single-vehicle crashes
Whatcom County Rollover Crash Leaves 5 Teens Injured
As reported by whatcom-news.com, five teenagers from Whatcom County were injured in a rollover crash on 1-5 over the weekend. First responders were dispatched to the northbound lanes of I-5, south of the Old Fairhaven Parkway (SR11) interchange about 10:45 p.m. Saturday, March 4, due to a report of a rollover crash.
A press memo issued by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) identified the driver and one passenger as 17-year-old females from Ferndale and Lake Forest Park and the other passengers as a 16-year-old female from Ferndale, a 15-year-old female from Lynden, and an 18-year-old male from Ferndale. All five teenagers were transported by ambulance from the crash scene to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital’s Medical Center due to their injuries.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle had been traveling northbound while speeding when it left the roadway and rolled several times before coming to rest upside down. Drugs and/or alcohol were determined to have been a factor in the crash.
While we don’t have all the details about this crash, we do know that the vehicle was speeding before it left the roadway. Vehicles traveling at high speeds may have more difficulty navigating roadways. In addition, with drugs or alcohol involved, the driver’s reflexes may have been slower.
Teen Car Accident Statistics
Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In addition to being new drivers, teenage brains are still developing and, as a result, teens tend to be impulsive and use poor judgment. Poor decisions often include drinking and driving or texting and driving; two of the riskiest behaviors when getting behind the wheel.
Tragically, 2,738 teenagers ages 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. While young people aged 15-19 represented 6.5 percent of the U.S. population in 2017, injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle accidents involving teenage drivers represented about $13.1 billion – or almost eight percent – of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries.
These are the biggest risk factors for teen driving accidents:
- Drinking and driving
- Texting and driving
- Other types of distracted driving
- Teen passengers
- Too many passengers
- Speeding
- Failure to wear seat belts
- Drowsy driving
If your teen was the victim of a car accident, please contact a local car accident lawyer to discuss your/their legal rights.
Seek the help of a car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
