Officials say a man was killed and a 12-year-old child was seriously injured in a rollover crash in Wagoner County. News on 6 reports that the fatal accident occurred on 71st Street, east of Broken Arrow. Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials say the Chevy Astro van driven by a man was traveling westbound on 71st Street when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned. The 43-year-old man was partially ejected and died from his injuries. The 12-year-old boy, believed to be the driver’s son, was hospitalized with a head injury in critical condition. Officials are still looking into whether the occupants were belted and if speed was a factor. The investigation is ongoing.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), vehicles roll over in less than 3 percent of all crashes, but these crashes account for more than a third of vehicle occupant fatalities. According to the institute, electronic stability control makes a vehicle less likely to roll over by preventing sideways skidding and loss of control that can lead to rollovers.
In fact, electronic stability control can reduce the risk of fatal single-vehicle rollovers by more than 70 percent. Strong roofs also protect occupants in a rollover crash by reducing the risk of a fatal or incapacitating injury. A stronger roof can reduce the chance of being ejected from a rolling vehicle.
There are a number of factors that must be examined in the aftermath of a rollover crash. In cases where a defective vehicle may have caused the accident and/or injuries, the vehicle’s manufacturer or the maker of the defective part can be held liable. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. An experienced Oklahoma auto accident lawyer will be able to offer victims and their families the help, counsel and guidance that is necessary during these challenging times.
