When people are involved in motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey, there is always the risk of serious personal injury or even death as a result. When the accident involves a rollover, the risks are even higher. Of all fatal accidents, 30 percent involve a rollover of an involved vehicle even though rollover crashes account for only about 3 percent of all serious crashes. Despite the heightened risk of serious injury or death due to rollovers, the federal government has no safety or performance standards in place regarding rollovers for cars. Rollover accidents can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including such things as tire problems, sideways hits, glancing off of roadside objects such as poles and other such issues. Vehicles that have a higher center of gravity, such as trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles, are at a greater risk of rolling over. There are measures people can take in order to lessen the likelihood of involvement in a rollover crash. When shopping for a vehicle, selecting a newer model can help as newer models tend to have more up-to-date included safety features than do older ones. Making certain a car's tires are in good condition is important, as is not overloading a motor vehicle. Drivers should avoid loading the top of the vehicle with too much weight as well, since doing so can increase its instability on the road. Following the speed limit and always using seat belts are important as well. Car accidents are not completely avoidable, but by taking preventative measures and following the rules of the road, people can reduce their likelihood. When people are involved in a rollover collision caused by the negligence of a driver, the driver may be held liable for the resulting damages through a successful personal injury lawsuit. Source: ConsumerReports.org, "Rollover 101", November 18, 2014