Beaumont Rollover Car Accident Attorneys
Have you or a loved one been involved in a rollover car accident? Do you now find yourself seriously injured with rapidly rising hospital bills? Have you lost a loved one because of a rollover accident? You’re not alone during the trying time in your life. The compassionate and experienced car accident attorneys at Portner Bond, PLLC are here to help.
Not all accidents are inevitable. Some are caused by the irresponsible and negligent behavior of others. If you have suffered as the result of a rollover accident, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. You may have been the passenger of a vehicle in which the driver made an irresponsible maneuver that caused the vehicle to roll. Or, your rollover could have been caused by a ditch in the road created by a construction crew. A collision with another vehicle may have caused the rollover.
To find out if you have grounds to pursue legal action for your particular case, contact us at (409) 838-4444 to schedule a no-cost consultation. We’ll discuss your rights and all of your legal options.
What Is a Rollover Accident?
A rollover accident a type of accident in which vehicle tips or flips over onto its side or roof. A vehicle may flip or roll multiple times before it comes to a complete stop. It is an especially deadly type of accident with a high fatality rate. While there are many events that can cause a rollover accident, they almost always occur while a vehicle is taking a turn.
Rollover accidents can be broadly divided into two subcategories:
Tripped Rollover Accidents
A tripped rollover occurs when a vehicle is tripped by an external object or a physical interruption that affects the vehicle. According to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), this is, by far, the most common type of rollover accident, accounting for 95% of all rollovers.
A common cause for tripped rollover is a change in a road surface. For example, when a vehicle makes a turn, then slides from the pavement into the soft soil on the side of the road, this creates a “tripping” force, which could cause the vehicle to roll. A trip can also be caused when a vehicle hits a guardrail or a raised median. Sleep slopes and sudden changes in elevation also cause tripped rollovers.
Not all tripped rollover accidents are caused by road features or are single-vehicle accidents. A vehicle striking another vehicle can also cause a vehicle to “trip” and roll over, as well.
Untripped Rollover Accidents
Untripped rollover accidents are far less common, accounting for only about 5% of rollover accidents, but they still happen and are just as deadly. In an untipped rollover accident, the rollover is generally caused by a driver’s high-speed steering maneuvers, such as turning sharply to avoid a collision with another driver or taking a turn too quickly.
This is due to the laws of physics and gravity that act upon a moving vehicle. For example, if a vehicle attempts a sharp turn or suddenly brakes at high-speed, the law of inertia means that the object in motion wants to stay in motion. The destabilized vehicle can flip due to its own weight and gravity.
This type of rollover is much more common in top-heavy vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as SUVs.
What Kinds of Vehicles Are Prone to Rollovers?
Every single type of vehicle can experience a rollover accident. However, a taller vehicle with a higher center of gravity, such as a truck or SUV, has a greater chance of rolling over. In particular, older models of SUVs have a higher chance of being involved in a rollover accident.
While newer models of SUVs have safety features meant to reduce the event of a rollover, it is still a concern with these types of vehicles. Adding too much weight to any vehicle, such as tying down too many objects to the roof of the vehicle during a move, puts a vehicle at an increased risk for a rollover.
Rollover Accidents Are Deadly and Dangerous
Rollover accidents are a unique category of accidents in that they are not as common as other types of accidents, such as frontal or side collision (T-bone) accidents, but they cause an inordinate number of deaths. Despite the fact that rollover accidents typically only account for about 2-3% of all car accidents a year, they account for a staggering 35% of all vehicle crash fatalities.
Even if you survive a rollover accident, you are likely to be left with serious injuries. Rollover injuries also tend to cause total damage to vehicles, since all sides and parts of the vehicle are likely to come in contact with the ground during a rollover. After a rollover accident, it is recommended to consult with an attorney, as the extent of the damages to both property and persons is likely to be severe.
Compensation in a Rollover Accident
Given the substantial damages suffered in a rollover accident, it’s important to recover a financial award that will cover not only your current medical expenses but your future medical expenses and losses, as well. The types of compensation you may be entitled to include:
- Current medical expenses, such as hospitalization
- Future medical expenses, including doctor visits and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages or income
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Costs to update the home environment for disability
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
Our attorneys at Portner Bond, PLLC will help you determine the full scope of the compensation you’re owed, and we’ll negotiate aggressively with the at-fault party’s insurance company to secure that compensation. We’ll also prepare the case to go to trial, if necessary, to fight for your full financial reward.
Call Us Today
In the emotional aftermath of a devastating accident, you likely have many questions or feel confused about your options or what to do next. Portner Bond, PLLC is here to answer your questions, fight for your rights, and seek justice for you and your family. Give us a call (409) 838-4444 to schedule your free consultation with our Beaumont car accident attorneys and learn how we can help.