Semi-Truck Rollover Accidents — Causes, Dangers, and What Victims Should Do

What Is a Semi-Truck Rollover Accident?

A rollover crash occurs when a semi-truck tips onto its side or roof due to loss of stability. Rollovers can involve the tractor alone, the trailer alone, or the entire tractor-trailer combination. Because semi-trucks weigh up to 80,000 lbs and have a high center of gravity, rollovers often cause catastrophic injuries, multi-vehicle pileups, and major highway shutdowns.

Why Semi-Truck Rollovers Happen

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, leading causes include:

• Semi-trucks speeding or entering curves too fast

• Improperly loaded or shifting cargo

• Semi-truck driver inattention or fatigue

• Overcorrection or sudden steering of the semi-truck

• Roadway conditions (snow, ice, uneven pavement)

• Tire or brake failure on the semi-truck

• Inexperience or poor training of the semi-truck driver

How Deadly Are Semi-Truck Rollovers?

Government data shows:

• 5,472 fatalities in large-truck crashes in 2023 (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts)

• 153,452 injuries involving large-truck crashes (National Safety Council analysis)

• 70-75% of those killed were occupants of other vehicles

• Rollovers account for a large proportion of single-vehicle truck fatalities

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research shows rollovers are among the most dangerous crash types due to the risk of vehicle crushing, fuel spills, cargo spills, fires, and multi-vehicle involvement.

Chicago & Midwest Considerations

Illinois and the Midwest contain some of the busiest freight corridors in the country:

• I-80 (Joliet corridor)

• I-90/94 (Kennedy, Dan Ryan)

• I-55 (Stevenson)

• I-294 (Tri-State Tollway)

Heavy truck traffic, winter weather, high-speed interchanges, and tight on- and off-ramps significantly increase rollover risks throughout the Chicagoland area.

Common Injuries in Semi-Truck Rollovers

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal cord injuries or paralysis

• Crush injuries

• Internal organ damage

• Severe lacerations

• Broken bones

• Burns or chemical exposure

• Wrongful death

What to Do After a Semi-Truck Rollover Accident

1. Call 911 immediately.

2. Document the scene (if safe):

- Rolled truck, cargo spills, skid marks, debris

- Truck company name and DOT number

- Weather and roadway conditions

- All involved vehicles

3. Seek immediate medical care.

4. Do not give recorded statements to trucking insurers

5. Contact a truck accident attorney, such as the Vrodolyak Law Group, as soon as possible. Trucking companies will send out their team of experts following a crash to collect data to prove the accident was your fault. You deserve a legal team with the resources collect data and analyze the accident.

Evidence in rollover cases may include:

- Black-box (ECM/EDR) data

- Driver logs and Hours-of-Service records

- Load securement and weight records

- Brake, tire, and maintenance logs

- Traffic camera or dashcam video

Tips for how semi-truck drivers can prevent rollover crashes

FMCSA and NHTSA recommend:

• Proper speed control on curves

• Correct cargo loading and securement

• Driver fatigue management

• Avoiding sudden steering inputs

• Brake, tire, and suspension maintenance

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems

Sources (Verified Government & First-Party Research Only)

- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2023: Large Trucks

- National Safety Council, Injury Facts: Large Trucks

- FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts

- FMCSA Large Truck Crash Causation Study

- FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 392, 393, 395)

- NHTSA Heavy Vehicle Rollover Research