Rollover accidents can result in serious injuries or death. A thorough investigation typically follows these crashes to help determine the cause of the rollover and who may be liable for damages.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a rollover accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your damages. A Fort Worth car accident lawyer from our law firm is prepared to help you throughout the entire legal process.
We offer a free consultation, and there are no fees while we work on your case.
What Are the Common Causes of Rollover Accidents?
A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle’s center of gravity suddenly shifts, causing the vehicle to tip over. This can generally be caused by:
- Side impact collisions
- Making a sharp turn at high speeds
- Swerving at high speeds
- Hitting an immovable low object with enough force
Depending on the force of the impact, a vehicle may roll over several times before coming to a full stop. The momentum of the vehicle could keep going until it hits a solid object, such as another vehicle, divider or guardrail.
Usually, rollover accidents are caused by driver negligence. This could include:
There are also some factors that may contribute to a rollover accident that are not due to driver negligence, such as:
- Vehicle defects
- Poor road design
- Tire failure
Sometimes there are other extenuating circumstances that may lead to a rollover accident. For instance, if the driver runs into unexpected inclement weather or the unpredictability of animals crossing the road. However, even in these instances, drivers have a duty to act in a reasonable manner to avoid causing an accident.
Who May Be Liable for a Rollover Accident?
Liability for an accident typically falls to the driver whose negligence caused the collision. Therefore, a driver who was speeding, distracted or driving under the influence could be liable for your damages. If you were the passenger in a vehicle whose driver caused the rollover, you may be able to pursue compensation from that driver’s liability insurance.
Other parties may also be liable for your damages depending on what caused the rollover.
The manufacturer of a vehicle could be liable if a defective part in the vehicle is what caused it to roll over during a collision—for example, faulty hydraulics or steering. Sometimes defective parts are recalled by the manufacturer. If this happens, and a dealership fails to correct the issue before selling a vehicle, the dealership could be liable if a collision occurs.
A vehicle repair shop may be liable if a mechanic’s actions are what caused the vehicle to overturn. For example, if the mechanic left a loose bolt on a tire that caused it to fall off while the vehicle was in motion. This could cause the driver to suddenly jerk the steering wheel in a manner that could result in a rollover collision.
Your attorney would need to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident to help you recover compensation. He or she would need to prove it was a direct result of the actions of one or more of these parties.
In some rare instances, the cause of the rollover may be due to poor road design. If this is the case, the government municipality in charge of road design and maintenance could be liable for your damages. Pursuing compensation from a government entity could be more difficult and complex. The rules are often different, depending on the facts of the case. In a situation like this, it is a good idea to speak to a qualified attorney who may be able to help.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Rollover Accident?
Injuries from a rollover accident are often severe or life-threatening. Many result in at least one fatality. If you were injured or lost a loved one after a rollover accident, you may be eligible for the following compensation:
- Medical bills
- Medical equipment
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial costs
- And more
Depending on the facts of your claim, you may also be eligible for additional compensation. It would be in your best interest to discuss your claim with an attorney.
What Steps Should I Take After a Rollover Accident?
Rollover accidents can be one of the scariest and most dangerous types of collisions. The first thing you need to do after a rollover crash is get yourself to safety. Once you are in a more secure position, call the police and emergency medical services.
The next thing you should do is take photos and gather as much evidence as possible from the scene. Exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the crash. If possible, get contact information from witnesses at the scene as well.
Need Help Filing a Lawsuit? Call Us Today
If you have been injured in a rollover accident, we strongly recommend that you seek legal help. We work hard to protect your interests throughout the legal process so you can focus on getting better. Our team is prepared to help build a strong case for compensation on your behalf.
We offer a free consultation to discuss the legal options that may be available to you.
Call (817) 920-9000 to learn more.