[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/avoiding-rollover-crashes-on-portlands-i-84\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/avoiding-rollover-crashes-on-portlands-i-84\/","headline":"Rollover Crash on Portland\u2019s I-84 – a Wake-Up Call for Winter Driving","name":"Rollover Crash on Portland\u2019s I-84 – a Wake-Up Call for Winter Driving","description":"Portland\u2019s I-84 is a critical eastern-western route in and out of the city, but it also has some of the most dangerous accidents. When you combine the high speeds and traffic volumes with icy winter weather, it becomes a traveler\u2019s nightmare. Amongst the many types of collisions that happen along this route, rollover crashes are...","datePublished":"2021-02-26","dateModified":"2024-05-22","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/#Person","name":"Rizk Law","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Rizk Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","width":278,"height":65}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rollover-crash-rescue-blog.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rollover-crash-rescue-blog.jpg","height":207,"width":300},"url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/avoiding-rollover-crashes-on-portlands-i-84\/","about":["Auto Accident"],"wordCount":888,"keywords":["avoiding deadly rollover crashes","suvs more likely to have a rollover crash"],"articleBody":"Portland\u2019s I-84 is a critical eastern-western route in and out of the city, but it also has some of the most dangerous accidents. When you combine the high speeds and traffic volumes with icy winter weather, it becomes a traveler\u2019s nightmare. Amongst the many types of collisions that happen along this route, rollover crashes are one of the deadliest.Rizk Law talks about some of the most recent rollover crashes along I-84, why these accidents may happen in winter and how to avoid being in one.Recent Rollover Crashes on I-84The most recent rollover crash on Portland\u2019s I-84, heading eastbound, occurred on February 16, 2021 and involved only a single vehicle. The Multnomah County Sheriff\u2019s Office believes the winter weather played a major role in the incident. Fortunately, the driver was alone and sustained only minor injuries.Two passengers involved in a rollover incident on I-84 a few months ago, on November 24, 2020, were not so lucky. This rollover crash killed two passengers. The rollover, which happened at 2:30 a.m., likely happened because the driver was operating his vehicle while intoxicated. The driver was later arrested on charges of manslaughter and a DUII.Why Rollover Crashes Happen \u2013 Especially in WinterThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 6,514 rollover crashes resulted in 22,697 deaths in 2018. These numbers are lower than in previous years, due to stronger vehicles and improved safety measures. However, rollovers still account for 29 percent of motor vehicle crashes, in which occupant deaths occurred 49 percent of the time.Type of VehicleWhile any motor vehicle can have a rollover crash, it is more common in vehicles that have a higher center of gravity, including:Pickup trucksSUVsPassenger vansMinivansCargo vansDelivery trucksTrippingAccording to the NHTSA, tripping is one of the single most common reasons for a rollover crash (estimated to cause 95 percent of single vehicle rollover collisions). Tripping occurs when a car suddenly hits something, such as a curb, guard rail, road bump, uneven pavement or soft soil, causing a disruption in the forward motion of the vehicle and sending it into a forward or sideways roll.Weight\/Load DistributionOverloading vehicles, especially SUVs and pickup trucks, significantly decreases vehicle stability \u2013 especially when heavy loads are put on the roof. The recommendation is to not exceed the manufacturer\u2019s maximum load ratings. You should also place the heaviest items low to the floor and close to the center of the vehicle.SpeedSpeed increases a vehicle\u2019s likelihood of initiating a rollover, especially when combined with other common factors, such as bad weather, heavy loads and inexperience. In approximately 40 percent of all fatal rollovers, speed is a contributing factor.Inexperience with Top-Heavy SUVsPeople who drive SUVs may not understand how the top-heavy narrower and higher chassis makes them more prone to rollovers. Taking a turn too fast and too sharply is a very common cause of single SUV rollover crashes. It is important to remember that SUVs do not operate in the same way as a sedan.Other factors that can Lead to a Rollover CrashThere are many other factors that can cause a multiple or single vehicle rollover crash, including:Poorly maintained tires \u2013 or tires with low tire pressureTraveling too fast on icy or slippery roadsDriving while drowsyDriving while impaired by drugs or alcoholNot paying attentionDriving while distractedOversteering or turning too fastNot being familiar with the roadUneven pavement (such as roadways being repaved) or other bad road conditionsHow to Avoid Being a Victim of a Rollover CrashWhile avoiding a rollover crash is closely tied to following the rules of the road and obeying traffic laws, there are some additional tips that can help you to help prevent this type of accident.Safety recommendations:When purchasing a car, get the newest, and safest, vehicle you can afford.Get to know your vehicle \u2013 not just important features like windshield wipers, but also the general feel for safe stopping, turning, and more.Be mindful of speed, especially in bad, icy and wet weather.Pay attention \u2013 whether it is reckless drivers or bad road conditions, being alert gives you a better chance to respond to a dangerous and unexpected situation.Leave your phone off \u2013 distracted driving can be deadly.Maintain your car \u2013 tires, brakes, wipers and more should be inspected and serviced regularly.Be mindful of poor road and weather conditions. Avoid them when you can, but if you must drive in these situations, allow more time, go slowly and create more space between you and other vehicles.Rizk Law Provides Legal Help You Can TrustOur experienced Portland-based car accident attorneys know this city, and we know the law. Rizk Law has recovered millions in compensation for our clients, including a $460,000 settlement for a car crash caused by a drunk driver.If you were injured because of the reckless or negligent actions of another, we are prepared to help. We know insurance companies and the tactics they often use to reduce or deny your claim and can handle those stressful third party calls on your behalf.Call our firm today for your free, no-obligation case review. If we represent you, there is nothing to pay up front. We do not get paid our fees unless we recover compensation for you."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Rollover Crash on Portland\u2019s I-84 – a Wake-Up Call for Winter Driving","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/avoiding-rollover-crashes-on-portlands-i-84\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]