One man was killed and two others were critically injured in an early morning Evergreen Park rollover crash.
Cause of Evergreen Park Rollover Crash Unknown
The Evergreen Park rollover crash took place just after 5:00 a.m. on April 27, 2021. At that time, the vehicle in question was traveling southbound near the 9200 block of Western Avenue. The vehicle then flipped over, ejecting the three men who had been riding inside of it.
Emergency responders transported the men to Advocate Christ Medical Center. One of the men, 38-year-old Paul Washington of Chicago, was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy the following day found that Mr. Washington died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the Evergreen Park rollover crash.
Authorities closed Western Avenue between 91st Street and 94th Street until around 11:00 a.m. while members of the Evergreen Park Police Department and the Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team conducted an investigation. The cause of the Evergreen Park rollover crash was not immediately known.
Rollover Crashes Often Fatal
Incidents like the Evergreen Park rollover crash often result in extreme, sometimes fatal injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that:
- 33 percent of all vehicle occupant deaths in the United States occur in passenger vehicles involved in rollover accidents.
- Over 10,000 people are killed in rollover crashes each year.
- Seven percent of vehicle occupants die in rollover crashes, as opposed to the 0.2 percent who die in accidents involving vehicles that do not roll over.
- More than 15,000 drivers are ejected from their vehicles in rollover crashes on a yearly basis.
- Over 200,000 vehicle occupants suffer serious injuries in rollover accidents annually.
Common Factors in Rollover Crashes
While any vehicle could potentially roll over, there are certain factors that are especially common in rollover crashes. These factors may include:
- External Triggers – Most rollovers are the result of external triggers, or “trips,” such as striking a soft shoulder on the road or swerving to avoid a pothole.
- Speeding – Speeding makes rollovers much more likely, particularly when a vehicle is taking a curve or trying to avoid an obstacle. About 40 percent of fatal rollover accidents involve excessive speeds.
- Design Issues – SUVs and light trucks have higher centers of gravity than cars, so they are more prone to rolling over. Insufficiently reinforced roofs or a lack of restraints could also make the impact of rollover accidents much worse. The NHTSA estimates that roof collapses during rollovers kill approximately 600 people each year in the United States.
- Defective Tires – Tires that have either too much or too little “grip” can contribute to rollovers, though too much grip is a more common cause in these types of accidents. Additionally, malformed or defective tires may also increase the likelihood of a rollover.
Getting Justice for Rollover Crash Victims
While the innocent victims of rollover crashes may be eligible to receive compensation for their injuries, frequently they may find themselves facing strong opposition from large insurance carriers trying to minimize their financial liability. To help overcome this opposition, consider doing what so many others have done before you and retain the services of the car accident attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers LLC.
With over $2 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients, GWC is one of the premier Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation law firms in Illinois. No other plaintiff firm in the state commands more respect – or more fear – from its adversaries, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Our Chicago car accident lawyers have the experience, the determination, the resources, and the well-earned reputation of success necessary to get you and your family the justice you deserve.
Contact GWC today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation with one of our dedicated car accident attorneys. You may call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.
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