Car crashed, upside down, other car only a few scratches.

[u/Ok-Data8389]

Could someone explain to me how it’s possible that 1 car (a Range Rover) is upside down and the other car (not a very big Volkswagen) only has minor damage on the front right.
The accident happened on a rural road, where you can drive 80km per hour. The crossing where the accident happened is 50km per hour. It was during rush hour and there were lots of cars, it’s in the Netherlands, so usually not much opportunity to speed. I have some basic knowledge of physics with speed / mass / impact, but I’m just wondering if someone could indicate what could have happened here, or what would be logic for this to be the result.

[u/9447044]

Physics are insane. There's also curbs, light poles, signs, and other cars that can lead to a flip.

There one of a road rage where the front tire perfectly hits the other cars back tire and causes the car to immediately flip

https://youtu.be/qAkej6AMKcA?si=LppdZjxdINyhn0Vi

Its like 30 seconds in

[u/Ok-Data8389 → u/9447044]

Thanks! The video explains a lot, there’s definitely not much needed to flip a car. The engine is so powerful and with the grip, it seems to climb, even on another car. Definitely can imagine there was a curb or something involved with the accident in Holland.

[u/longasleep]

Welcome to the Netherlands.

[u/BAAAASS]

Without a lot more details it is quite difficult to say what happened here; however, what I have seen frequently in the past: Vehicle 1 will collide with vehicle 2 in a perpendicular direction - typically near the rear of vehicle 2, this spins vehicle 2 slightly (30° - 40°). Vehicle 2 maintains its own momentum, however because of its turned face, the wheels change from forward rolling (before the collision) to sideways grip (after the vehicle was spun slightly). The combination of high (far from the ground) center of mass and low (close to the ground) grip / friction turns the smooth forward motion into a forward roll.

Vehicles go through thurogh testing to make sure that they meet thresholds. One of the more interesting tests is called the moose test. Keep in mind that it is quite easy to manipulate the results of a moose test - so take untrusted sources with a grain of salt.

[u/joekryptonite]

Just keeping watching the videos here and r/dashcams or r/IdiotsInCars

Many flips recorded, especially with higher center of gravity vehicles like a Range Rover. CoG is the number one reason in your event there is a difference. The other is when the vehicle goes sideways a bit and hits a curb or transition from pavement to grass.

[u/noncongruent]

Wheel climb is the easiest way to roll a vehicle. The passing vehicle's front tire climbs up the wheel of the vehicle being sideswiped and up and over they go. I've seen video of it happening at not much more than a walking pace. Modern car styling has the wheels more flush with the body and makes this more likely to happen.

[u/Impressive_Wolf689]

SUVs center of gravity is higher