Rollover Car Accidents
Our Compassionate and Experienced Rollover Accident Attorneys Are Proud to Serve the Carolinas
Rollover car accidents occur when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. In some cases, especially at higher speeds, rollover accidents can involve multiple vehicle rotations. As one of the most complex forms of vehicle crashes – and because they can be particularly violent in nature – rollovers pose a higher potential for serious injuries and death than other car wrecks. While less than 10 percent of car accidents in 2018 involved a rollover, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), they accounted for 29 percent of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our car accident lawyers in North and South Carolina have more than a century of combined experience fighting for victims injured in all types of auto wrecks, including those involving rollovers. Backed by a talented legal team, extensive resources and an unwavering commitment to victims and their families, we help clients protect their rights during the personal injury and wrongful death claim process, and fight aggressively for the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been involved in a rollover car accident, call our firm at (800) 351-3008 or schedule an appointment online for your free consultation.
Rollover Accident Statistics
It is difficult to overstate just how lethal rollover accidents can be. In fact, the IIHS found that only head-on impacts caused more fatalities in 2018. Other eye-opening statistics from the IIHS include:
- Commercial trucks, pickup trucks and SUVs are much more likely to experience a fatal rollover accident due to their more narrow, tall builds that create a higher center of gravity. In 2018, rollover crashes accounted for 20 percent of occupant deaths in cars, 40 percent of occupant deaths in pickups and 42 percent of occupant deaths in SUVs.
- Trucks and SUVs are also more likely to be involved in fatal single-vehicle accidents, and rollover accidents accounted for half of all single-vehicle deaths in 2018. Only 12 percent of fatal rollovers involved multiple vehicles.
- Although most rollovers (72 percent) were associated with a pre-rollover impact, a substantial proportion (28 percent) rolled over without having impacted anything beforehand.
- Speed, gender and age all correlated with higher rates of rollover accidents. Males under the age of 25 who were traveling faster than 60 mph were involved in the most rollover accidents in 2018.
Common Causes of Rollover Car Accidents
Most rollover accidents involve some form of “tripping,” where the vehicle hits an object on the road like a pothole, curb or guardrail. When the vehicle’s forward momentum is impeded, its center of gravity can rapidly shift and cause a rollover. Of course, there are a large variety of dangerous circumstances and behaviors that can precede the moment of “tripping,” as well as other instances that don’t involve collision with an object. Some of those include:
- Driver error: Behaviors such as driving while intoxicated, speeding excessively and driving erratically (sharp turns, swerving, dangerous passing) can all lead to rollover car accidents. Aside from vehicle-to-vehicle collisions (especially side-impact collisions) that may cause a truck, SUV or even passenger sedan to roll over, victims may be injured in single-vehicle rollovers when they swerve or otherwise attempt to avoid a collision with a driver who was operating their vehicle negligently, such as when they were driving on the wrong side of the road or a made an unsafe turn or lane change. Investigating the circumstances surrounding a rollover accident caused by another motorist requires meticulous attention to detail and the ability to secure evidence and arguments as to why the other motorist should be held at fault.
- Single-vehicle rollovers: It’s quite common to see rollover car accidents where only one vehicle is involved. In these cases, injured passengers may have a right to pursue compensation from the driver and their insurance provider should it be shown that the driver failed to uphold their legal obligation of safely operating a motor vehicle. Speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving and other dangerous driving behaviors can increase risks of rollover accidents and lead to preventable harm. Drivers who overcorrect when they lose control of vehicles in inclement weather or other dangerous situations may also cause rollovers. Depending on the circumstances, injured victims may be able to hold negligent drivers liable for their damages. Vehicle and tire manufacturers may also be held liable if their defective products contributed to a single-vehicle rollover.
- Truck accidents: Commercial trucks and tractor-trailers are the largest vehicles on our road. They are also the most dangerous. Due to their sheer size, trucks can easily lose control, tip over or rollover, creating hazards that can injure drivers and passengers in nearby vehicles. Our firm has extensive experience handling truck accident cases and can work to explore the underlying cause of a truck rollover, whether it may be driver error, fatigue or inattention or safety violations. We also have the resources and insight to ensure negligent truck drivers and trucking operators are held accountable for the injuries they cause.
Injuries and Long-Term Effects From Rollover Accidents
Due to the particularly violent nature of rollover accidents, which can often lead to ejection from the vehicle, there is a much higher potential for severe injury or death. Common injuries from rollover car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, concussions or other head injuries
- Spinal/neck injuries
- Broken bones, especially wrists, arms and ribs
- Lacerations or cuts
- Strains, sprains and bruising
Rollover accidents also increase the likelihood of victims suffering from long-term – or even lifelong – negative effects. Truly, these accidents can be life-altering events that have a drastic impact on you and your family. Some examples of long-term effects include:
- Permanent disabilities: Severe damage in sensitive areas like the brain or spinal cord, among others, may never fully heal. As a result, your quality of life and ability to work may never be the same.
- Emotional and mental anguish: Although it might not be as obvious as physical injuries, damage to your emotional state and mental well-being can linger long after your accident. Rollovers can be very traumatic experiences. Adding physical injuries on top of that can also compound the mental suffering you may be feeling after your accident – all of which can greatly diminish your enjoyment of life.
- Financial suffering: If you are suffering from long-term effects due to a rollover accident, it can be very difficult to get back to work. When you’re potentially facing a mountain of medical bills as well as the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, diminished working capacity is a big issue.
Remember: If you or a loved one is involved in a rollover car accident that was caused by someone else, you are a victim and may be entitled to compensation for this injustice. For your free consultation, call our firm at (800) 351-3008 or schedule an appointment online.
Liability & Damages Available in a Rollover Car Accident
Determining liability in a rollover car accident can be rather complicated, so working with an experienced rollover accident lawyer is critical. There are a lot of factors and variables that could come into play. Unfortunately, this often means that negligent actors and insurance companies will often look to point fingers back at you and deflect blame.
Sorting out liability and determining the available damages also depends on which state the accident occured in. North Carolina follows a principle of “contributory negligence,” which means if a person has any percentage of fault for an accident – even just 1% – then they cannot legally recover compensation. But South Carolina follows a modified version of “comparative negligence,” where a person can seek damages as long as they are 50% or less at fault. Please see our pages on damages and liability to learn more about these complex topics.
What To Do After a Rollover Accident
Because rollover car accidents have the potential to be more violent than other types of accidents, the immediate aftermath can be intense, disorienting and stressful – especially if severe or fatal injuries are involved. Taking the right steps quickly can help save lives while also protecting any legal claims you may have. At a glance, those steps include:
- Call 911
- Get medical attention ASAP
- Document everything
- Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor
Acting quickly and decisively in these situations can save your life and protect your rights. Check out this page for a more detailed breakdown of critical actions to take after a car accident.
See How Our Trusted Rollover Accident Lawyers Can Help You
- Navigate a very complex legal situation that can be costly, time-consuming and physically draining, so you can focus on recovery and healing.
- File any legal claims within the appropriate, legally mandated window of time.
- Uncover all responsible parties and prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you with unfair settlement or compensation offers
We’re proud of the results we’ve achieved for our clients across the Carolinas, and we look forward to continuing to serve those who have suffered due to the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been involved in a rollover car accident, call our firm at (800) 351-3008 or schedule an appointment online for your free consultation.
