Capotamento
In short
A capotamento is a vehicle accident where a car or truck flips over onto its side or roof. Recent incidents in Brazil, including crashes on the GO-080 and in Campinas, have resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries.
In plain words
It happens when a vehicle loses control and turns upside down. This often occurs due to high speeds, sharp turns, or hitting an object like a pole.
A simple example
A driver swerves to avoid a motorcycle, hits a roadside barrier, and the force causes the car to roll several times.
Why it matters
These accidents are extremely dangerous because passengers can be thrown from the vehicle or crushed by the roof. They often cause significant traffic delays and require emergency services like helicopters.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse this with a collision, which is simply two vehicles hitting each other without necessarily flipping over.
Sources
- Capotamento deixa um morto e outro ferido em estado grave na GO-080; helicóptero dos Bombeiros é acionado
- Mulher e duas crianças ficam feridas após capotamento de veículo em Anchieta
- Colisão com carro provoca capotamento de viatura da PM em Brusque, SC
- Capotamento e colisão entre carro e moto deixam trânsito lento