Raleigh Rollover Car Accident Lawyer
Rollover collisions are a particularly dangerous type of auto accident that can result in severe or fatal, injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a rollover crash caused by someone else, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, the income you’ve lost while unable to work, and the pain and suffering you have had to endure through no fault of your own.
At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., our attorneys are ready to provide compassionate, personalized legal representation and to help you pursue the full compensation available by North Carolina law. Let our legal team negotiate with the insurance companies while you focus on healing and recovering from your injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a competent, compassionate and professional attorney. An attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. is available to review the circumstance of your auto accident and discuss your legal options.
What Is a Rollover Accident?
A rollover accident is one in which a vehicle tips over or flips over and lands on its side or roof. Any car can overturn, but tall vehicles with high centers of gravity, such as trucks and SUVs, are more susceptible to rollover accidents.
The following events can contribute to a rollover accident:
- Collisions–Vehicles collide with enough force to cause one or more vehicles to overturn
- Trip-overs– A vehicle hits a curb or guardrail causing it to trip and flip over
- Turn-overs– A vehicle rolls over after turning too sharply or quickly
- Fall-overs– A vehicle’s center of gravity shifts while traveling on an incline or slope, causing the vehicle to overturn
- Climb-overs– A vehicle rolls over after running up a tall barrier
Common Causes of Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are often preventable and result from driver error or carelessness. Speeding increases the momentum of a vehicle and makes a rollover more likely in the event of a side-impact collision. Some of the most common causes of rollover accidents include:
- Distracted driving– Drivers who are absorbed in text messages, phone conversations, videos or other distractions are more likely to take turns too quickly or accidentally sideswipe other vehicles or objects, leading to a rollover accident.
- Driving under the influence– Drivers who drive while intoxicated have impaired judgment, slowed reaction time, and poor depth perception. An impaired driver who drifts out of a lane or off the road shoulder may overcorrect, causing a rollover accident.
- Reckless driving– Common reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and lane weaving can leave drivers with less room for error and less time to react to prevent rollover accidents.
- Poor road conditions– Poor road conditions such as potholes, uneven pavement, steep road shoulder, standing water, or missing signage can contribute to loss of control and subsequent rollover accidents.
- Vehicle defects– When tires or other essential components are defective due to poor design or inadequate maintenance, the defective parts can fail and contribute to rollovers.
Common Injuries from Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents represent a small percentage of all traffic accidents but a disproportionate share of motor vehicle accidents that result in fatal injuries. Some of the most common injuries associated with rollover collisions include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial injuries
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Seatbelt and airbag injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Partial or total paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
- Broken bones
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- Road rash and other burns
- Emotional and psychological injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Who Is at Fault in a Rollover Accident?
Determining fault is a crucial component of any rollover accident injury claim. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to hold any of the following parties liable for your injuries:
- The driver of the vehicle that rolled over– If you were injured as a passenger, the driver of the overturned vehicle might be at fault if they rolled over due to distraction, intoxication, or driver error.
- Another motorist or road user– Another driver or road user, such as a cyclist or pedestrian, may be at fault if their actions contributed to a driver losing control of their vehicle and rolling over.
- A vehicle manufacturer– The manufacturer of a vehicle component or system may be at fault if the component or system was defective and its failure contributed to the rollover.
- A local government agency– A local government entity could be at fault if extremely poor design or maintenance of local roads contributed to the rollover accident.
Can I Recover Compensation from a Rollover Accident?
If you were injured in a rollover accident in which someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your losses such as:
- The costs of medical care for your crash-related injuries
- The value of your lost wages or benefits from missed time at work
- The projected loss in your lifetime earning capacity
- The intangible costs of your crash-related pain and suffering
- The costs of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle
What Should I Do If I Am Hurt in a Car Accident?
If you are injured in a rollover crash, you can take the following steps to protect your legal rights and establish a foundation for your injury claim:
- Seek medical care promptly to have your injuries diagnosed, treated, and added to your medical records, filing all bills on your health insurance if you have it
- Follow your doctor’s care plan and attend all follow-up appointments
- Collect evidence from the crash scene, such as pictures and witness statements
- Hang on to medical bills, pay stubs, bank statements, repair estimates, and any other documentation of your crash-related financial losses
- Watch what you say to others or post on social media while your case is pending
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer for legal assistance
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