Rollover car accidents account for only a small percentage of the car, pickup, and SUV collisions every year; however, they were the cause of 28% of all fatalities for the same passenger vehicle groups. Accidents where a vehicle rolls over also cause serious injuries for passengers, especially in cases where the driver or passenger are ejected from the vehicle. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover crash, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the liable party that caused your crash or you may need help negotiating with your own insurance company to fully cover your losses. By taking legal action, you may be able to recover funds that can pay for your car damage, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. It’s important to contact an experienced car accident lawyer to understand your options.

What is a rollover accident?

Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle comes into contact with another object like another vehicle, should, guardrail or curb and that contact causes the vehicle to rollover. Gravity and the uneven weight of some vehicles can make them susceptible to rolling over when a driver loses control of the vehicle. 

Most rollover accidents involve only one vehicle and the type of vehicle you are driving or riding in makes a difference. In 2019, more than 75% of rollover accident fatalities involved single-vehicle crashes. In that same year, of all car accident fatalities, rollovers accounted for 39% of fatalities in SUVs, 38% in pickups, and 20% in cars.   

Rollover Accidents: Should You Hire a Lawyer?

If you have been seriously injured in an auto accident, in many cases, a personal injury attorney can negotiate with the insurer to get a more reasonable settlement for your injuries. The higher the value that you are seeking, the more complex the negotiation becomes--and the more important it is to enlist the help of a car accident attorney who can do all of the negotiations on your behalf. If your medical treatment will extend far into the future, or you have lasting injuries that will require ongoing treatment, your claim could include a demand for compensation for future medical expenses, future pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, or lost income. Most insurance adjusters will take you seriously if you pursue a high-value claim with the help of a lawyer, making it much more difficult to obtain fair compensation. 

Don’t be quick to accept any offer from the insurance company that comes your way. Insurance companies are in business to maximize their profits and minimize claims. Before you start the negotiation process with an insurance company, consider your situation. Unless it is a minor issue, such as a case under a few thousand dollars, a car accident lawyer may be able to do more for you. 

Preventing a Rollover Accidents

Because so many rollover crashes involve only one vehicle, it's often up to the driver or owner of the vehicle to stay safe and try to prevent any accidents from happening. Some tips to prevent a rollover accident include:

• Don’t speed. Whether you’re negotiating a sharp turn or suddenly must brake, speeding is a leading factor in rollover accidents. If you’re forced to suddenly change lanes or swerve to avoid a collision, gravity can overturn the vehicle if you were to lose control.
  
• Focus on driving. Just like speeding, distracted driving can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle when suddenly forced to maneuver or avoid an object in the road. Try not to panic and overreact in emergency circumstances. Oversteering can cause you to lose control of your car and cause it to roll over.
  
• Research before purchasing a new car. While any vehicle could rollover, certain types of vehicles like SUVs and pickups have a higher likelihood of a rollover crash. Make sure to look up safety ratings and rollover crash test information before choosing a vehicle. The safety features of newer SUVs and pickups have improved the fatality rate in rollovers in recent years.
  
• Do not overload your vehicle. SUVs and pickups are great for moving heavy items, but an overloaded vehicle can put you at risk for a rollover. Even though your vehicle may come with a roof rack, that doesn’t mean the roof is a stable place for cargo. Make sure to understand your vehicles’ load ratings and try to place heavy items as close to the center of the vehicle as possible.
  
• Check your tire pressure. Under inflated and over inflated tires can cause a rollover accident if a tire blows, especially when the vehicle is traveling at a high rate of speed. Periodically check your tire pressure to make sure it's within the recommended level for your vehicle.
  
• Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts save lives. Make sure to wear one, insist your passengers wear a seatbelt and always ensure any children are in the proper car seats. Not wearing a seatbelt is a contributing factor in the majority of fatal crashes.
  

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, Car Accident Lawyers for Rollover Accidents

If you or a loved one have been injured in a rollover crash, working with experienced personal injury attorneys can make all the difference in getting fair compensation for your injuries. Our firm will handle the negotiations with insurance companies and any responsible party so that you can focus on recovery and healing. 

Contact Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney, at Law, for a free consultation. When you hire a personal injury lawyer from our team, you pay nothing upfront. We work on contingent fees that are only collected if we win your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Let us turn your setback into a comeback.