Evaluation of Heavy Truck Rollover Accidents

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Dec 13, 2006

Evaluation of Heavy Truck Rollover Accidents

Given the large size and weight of heavy trucks, also known as tractor-trailer vehicles, a serious safety threat can be posed to the vehicle’s occupants in the event of a rollover collision.

Heavy trucks (those having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) are an
essential part of the transport of a vast array of commercial, industrial, and consumer products in the United States.

Heavy trucks can also be involved in rollover accidents. This type of accident, as is the case with passenger vehicles, is not as likely as other types of accidents, but can result in significantly more damage to the vehicle and injuries to the occupants of the
heavy truck.

The overall conclusion from an eight year study is that over 6% of the heavy truck fatalities and incapacitating injuries occur as a result of restrained occupants being killed or incapacitated from the severe or disabling deformation that occurs to the truck during rollover accidents.