Rollover accidents account for only a small rate of motor vehicle accidents in the United States, yet have a higher fatality rate than other car crashes. If you or a loved one have been in a car, truck, or SUV rollover accident, you may be facing serious injury, high medical bills, or other consequences.
In the case of a rollover vehicle accident, you may need to file a rollover accident claim to seek compensation for personal injury or property damage. Learn how to file a rollover accident lawsuit, what to do after a car, truck, or SUV rollover, and how a rollover accident attorney can help.
Common Causes Of Rollover Accidents
According to safecar.gov, rollovers were responsible for 35 percent of all car accident fatalities in 2010. Understanding some of the most common reasons for a rollover crash may be useful information for all drivers.
First, rollovers are more common with certain types of cars, especially trucks and SUVs. This is because these vehicles are structured in a way that gives them a high center of gravity. Even under normal driving conditions, these vehicles are more likely to roll, leading to an SUV rollover or truck rollover accident.
The following are some of most common causes of rollover vehicle accidents:
Losing Control Of The Vehicle
A driver may lose control of the vehicle for any number of reasons, such as:
- change in or bad weather
- distractions, such as the radio, texting while driving, other cell phone use
- driver fatigue/falling asleep at the wheel
If a driver hits an obstacle or object in the road, the car’s center of gravity will shift, causing a vehicle rollover. An SUV or truck may roll onto its side or top after striking an object and doesn’t always make a complete roll or roll multiple times.
High Speeds
Speed is a risk factor for all types of vehicle accidents, but plays a large role in contributing to SUV, truck, or car rollover accidents. If a person is speeding and has to swerve to avoid hitting something, especially if they hit their brakes, they are more likely to roll over.
Aggressive Driving Practices
Risky maneuvers can lead to rolling your pickup truck or SUV. Swerving or hitting brakes at high speeds and not slowing for curves can cause the vehicle to roll. When a driver maneuvers the vehicle too quicly, friction occurs between the tires and the road, which may cause the car to flip.
Tire Failures
Tire blowouts often lead to rollover accidents. This is common with pickup trucks, commercial trucks, and trucks with a tractor-trailer, but can also happen with cars and SUVs. A blowout can lead to a vehicle crash due to a mistake from the car manufacturer, or due to poor tire maintenance on behalf of the car owner.
If a person overloads their car or SUV, overinflates the tires, or fails to get proper patchwork for their tire, this can also lead to tire failure and may cause an SUV or truck rollover accident.
Multi-Vehicle Car Crashes
Most rollover accidents are single-vehicle accidents. However, if a car, truck, or SUV is hit by another passenger vehicle, the force of the crash may cause the vehicle to tip over and roll.
Hitting The Guardrail
When traveling on the highway or freeway, a car may strike a guardrail due to swerving or being hit in the rear by another vehicle. The force of the crash may cause the car to roll over the guardrail and into oncoming traffic or off the road.
Types Of Rollover Accident Injury
Truck, SUV, and car rollover accidents can lead to a number of serious injuries, as well as fatalities (including wrongful death). Especially if your car experiences roof crush in the accident, these injuries can be devastating.
Which types of injuries a person sustains from a rollover crash can depend on a number of factors, such as:
- the speed at the time of the crash
- whether they were wearing a seat belt
- whether their airbag deployed
- how many cars were involved in the auto accident, and more
Some of the most common types of injuries caused by car, truck, and sport utility vehicle rollover accidents include:
- broken bones
- head injuries, including traumatic brain injury
- organ puncture
- spinal cord injury
- paralysis
- permanent disability
- death
Tips For Avoiding A Rollover Car Accident
Drivers of trucks, SUVs, or other cars with a high center of gravity have a higher risk of experiencing a rollover car crash. It may help to understand how to avoid a rollover car accident in order to safeguard against getting into a crash.
1. Watch Your Speed
Speeding always increases your risk of a vehicle crash but is particularly dangerous for cars with a high center of gravity. Obey posted speed limits, slow down for curves, and watch for objects in the road which may cause you to swerve or engage in other risky driving maneuvers.
2. Avoid Drunk Driving
Alcohol, some prescription medications, and recreational drugs may slow your reaction time and/or affect your decision-making abilities. Protect your safety, your passengers’ safety, and the well-being of other motorists by always driving sober.
3. Keep Your Focus
Distracted driving is the cause of a large number of all types of accidents every year in the U.S. Avoid being on your cell phone, texting, adjusting the radio, and other activities that pull your attention away from the road.
4. Maintain Your Vehicle
Tire blowouts and other tire-related damage are behind many SUV and truck rollover accidents. Ensure any tire damage is quickly and properly repaired, regularly check tire pressure, and ensure your car is not overloaded before you travel.
5. Know Your Vehicle
If you own a sport utility vehicle, truck, semi-truck, or other vehicle with a high center of gravity, it’s important to understand how the car operates in normal and difficult conditions. Avoid putting your vehicle in situations where you may have to pull a risky maneuver. Keep your distance from other vehicles and understand your car’s tipping potential.
What To Do After A Car, Truck, Or SUV Rollover Accident
A car, truck, or SUV rollover accident can overwhelm your emotions and mental capacity. You may be feeling unsettled and unsure what to do next.
Consider the following tips for what to do if you experience a rollover accident:
- check on everyone involved in the car crash: If more than one vehicle is involved, check on your own passengers first to ensure safety. Attempt to keep them calm until help arrives and communicate with them if you are unable to reach them.
- contact emergency medical authorities: If you can reach your cell phone or safely exit the vehicle, call 9-1-1 for help. Even if you don’t feel injured, your body is likely flooded with adrenaline, masking any injuries. Getting checked out for serious injuries is important.
- call law enforcement: In most states, all vehicle accidents must be reported. If you choose to file a rollover accident claim later on, the police report will be crucial documentation.
- seek medical care: Some injuries do not present symptoms until after the shock of the accident has worn off. Always seek medical attention to ensure you don’t have a concussion or other head injury that isn’t readily apparent.
- contact rollover accident lawyers: While your first thought may be to contact an insurance adjuster to file an insurance claim, you may want to consider contacting a rollover accident lawyer first. Insurance companies may only pay for a certain amount of medical expenses and property damage.
Filing A Car, SUV, Or Truck Rollover Accident Claim
Rollover accidents may be complex. If the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as crashing into your vehicle after texting and driving, you may be eligible to file a rollover accident claim.
The purpose of rollover accident lawsuits is to allow car accident victims to seek compensation for serious injuries or property damage that wasn’t their fault.
Depending on the details of the vehicle crash, rollover accident victims may be able to file a lawsuit against:
- car manufacturers for distributing an unsafe vehicle without properly warning consumers
- local or state governmental authorities for unsafe road conditions or other factors that led to a crash
- negligent drivers who may have failed to exercise the standard of care expected on roadways
If you are wondering whether your rollover crash will qualify to file a claim, speak to an experienced rollover accident attorney for a free case evaluation.
Our Featured Case Results
List Of Car, Truck, SUV Rollover Accident Lawyers
Starting a car, truck, or SUV rollover accident case can a daunting task if you are not experienced in this practice area of personal injury. The law offices of Florin|Roebig have a vast, capable legal team with some of the best personal injury lawyers serving Florida and several other states.
When you’re ready to begin your rollover accident lawsuit, consider working with some of the most experienced rollover accident personal injury attorneys available, including:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.C.
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Nicholas S. Costantino
- Luca G. Esposito
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Neil P. O’Brien, M.B.A.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find A Rollover Accident Attorney Near You
If you or your loved one were recently in a rollover crash and someone else may be at fault for the accident, you may want to consider your legal rights. Filing a rollover accident claim could help you pay for costly medical bills, cover any lost wages, and more.
Florin|Roebig law firm has more than 30 years of experience in personal injury cases in the state of Florida and elsewhere in the United States. Let us help you get started on your claim and getting your life back on track after the accident. Call us today for a free consultation.
