Rollover car accidents are among the most destructive and devastating of all motor vehicle accidents. Due to the violent nature of a rollover accident, the occupants of the car that flips over often suffer serious injuries that can have life-altering consequences.
If you or a loved one was severely injured in a rollover accident that was caused by another motorist in Virginia, you may be entitled to financial compensation. An experienced Virginia Beach car accident lawyer will discuss the details of your case, ensure that your legal rights are protected, and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome.
What Is a Rollover Crash?
A “rollover car accident” is exactly what the name suggests. When a motorist loses control of their vehicle, it can cause the vehicle to tip over or flip several times if the accident occurred at a high speed. The faster the vehicle was traveling at the time of the rollover accident, the more rotations are likely to occur, which dramatically increases the risk of catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollover accidents account for only about 2% of all collisions in the United States, but they are responsible for close to 30% of car accident-related fatalities. The vast majority of these tragic accidents are preventable if motorists obey the rules of the road and avoid negligent driving behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving. There are two types of rollover accidents, including the following:
- Tripped Rollovers: These accidents occur when a vehicle strikes an external object like a curb, guardrail, median, or another vehicle, causing it to flip over. Approximately 95% of all single-vehicle rollovers are tripped rollovers.
- Untripped Rollovers: These often occur when a vehicle is turning or approaching a curve in the road while traveling at a high speed. Untripped rollovers are particularly common with vehicles that have a higher center of gravity, like SUVs, pick-up trucks, and vans.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Rollover Accidents?
While rollover accidents represent a small percentage of severe or deadly crashes, they can cause devastating injuries that often require extensive and ongoing medical care. By having a general understanding of some of the most common causes of rollover accidents, you can take proactive steps to recognize the risks and avoid being severely injured or killed in such a catastrophic event. The following are some of the most common causes of rollover car accidents:
High-Speed Maneuvers
This is one of the most common causes of rollover accidents. When a vehicle is approaching a curve in the road, making a sharp turn, or swerving abruptly while traveling at a high speed, the vehicle’s center of gravity shifts, increasing the risk of a rollover. SUVs, trucks, and vans are at a particularly high risk of tipping or rolling over.
Negligent Driving Behavior
When motorists are speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, texting or talking on the phone, getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, or engaging in any other negligent behavior, there is an increased risk that the driver will lose control of the vehicle, particularly if the motorist is driving at a high speed, allowing for little to no time to react to a hazardous situation and slow down in time to avoid a devastating accident.
Vehicle Design
Any vehicle that has a higher center of gravity is at a greater risk of a rollover accident compared to lower-profile cars. Other factors, including weight distribution, suspension stiffness, and tire quality, can also impact the stability of the vehicle.
Tripping Hazards
“Tripping” occurs when a vehicle strikes a pothole, curb, guardrail, or debris in the road. Even a minor obstacle in the road can cause a serious rollover accident if the driver overcorrects suddenly, and at a high speed.
Overloading and Cargo Balance
When cargo is not properly loaded or secured, it can shift or come loose, impacting the center of gravity and destabilizing the vehicle, particularly during a sudden turn or other maneuver. Commercial trucks and trailers are particularly vulnerable to rollovers if the cargo is not secured properly.
Inclement Weather
When roadways are slick with ice, snow, freezing rain, wet leaves, or any other debris that can cause hazardous driving conditions, there is an increased risk of a rollover accident. While motorists cannot control the weather, they have a responsibility to either avoid driving until the weather has cleared up or take proactive steps to make safety a top priority, like reducing driving speed, increasing the following distance, and avoiding any unsafe driving behaviors like texting or talking on the phone.
What Types of Injuries Do Rollover Accidents Cause?
Several factors can make rollover accidents particularly devastating, including the extreme force of the impact and the body repeatedly and severely striking the interior of the vehicle as it rolls over. In addition, if the occupants of the vehicle are not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident, there is an increased risk of being ejected from the car, which makes a tragic fatality significantly more likely. The following are examples of common injuries caused by rollover car accidents:
- Severe lacerations and degloving injuries caused by shattered glass and torn metal.
- Broken bones, including fractured arms, legs, pelvis, collarbones, and facial bones, were caused by the extreme impact with the restraint forces and the interior of the vehicle.
- Spinal cord injuries, including herniated discs, vertebral fractures, and partial or complete paralysis caused by compression and hyperflexion of the spine.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), including severe concussions, contusions, diffuse axonal injuries, and skull fractures.
- Internal organ damage caused by lacerations or contusions to the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs from the blunt force trauma. These injuries can be life-threatening if they are not detected and treated quickly.
- Burn injuries if the rollover accidents resulted in a fuel leak or an electrical fire.
- Whiplash and neck injuries caused by the extreme multi-directional force imposed on the cervical spine.
- Crush injuries and amputations if the vehicle is crushed during the accident, and the injuries to an arm, leg, foot, or hand are severe. In some cases, amputation may be necessary to save the person’s life.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The trauma associated with the extreme and violent nature of a rollover accident can cause severe anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and other symptoms of PTSD.
- “Wrongful death” if the rollover accident resulted in a tragic fatality.
What Damages Am I Entitled to in a Rollover Accident Claim?
The injuries and property damage caused by a rollover accident can be extreme and costly. However, if you can prove that the other motorist involved was at fault and that you share no liability, a successful personal injury claim will ensure that you recover the following damages:
- All medical expenses associated with your injuries, including hospitalization, surgeries, follow-up care, physical therapy, and prescription medications
- Lost wages if you are unable to return to work for a significant period of time
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering caused by the accident
- Mental and emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
“Death benefits” are also possible if the rollover accident caused fatal injuries. The surviving family members may be entitled to the following:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Compensation for medical expenses incurred before the loved one’s death
- Loss of income, including lost wages, bonuses, and other financial support that had been provided by the deceased
- Emotional trauma, including grief, emotional suffering, and loss of companionship
Keep in mind that Virginia is one of the few states that follow the “contributory negligence” rule, which is a strict legal doctrine that states that you will be prohibited from recovering any damages if you are found to be even 1% at fault for causing the accident. Insurance companies will work tirelessly to find evidence to suggest that you share liability, so it is in your best interest that you have an experienced car accident lawyer on your side who will protect your legal rights and ensure that the negligent party is held liable for the accident and that you recover the maximum damages to which you are entitled.
A Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer at Anchor Legal® Represents Victims of Rollover Car Accidents
If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury in a rollover accident, do not hesitate to contact a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer at Anchor Legal. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for causing the accident, help you navigate every step of the claims process, and ensure that your legal rights are protected. Our dedicated legal team will work tirelessly to pursue the maximum financial damages to which you are entitled. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online. Located in Virginia Beach, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.