If you are involved in a rollover accident, you should speak to a Houston car accident lawyer about your rights as soon as possible. Rollover accidents are often more complex than what meets the eye. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., have been handling complex car accident litigation since 1979 and have helped thousands of Texas make a recovery. Talk to a rollover car accident attorney for free at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury and Accident Lawyers by calling 800-298-0111.
Statistics show that many people are killed every year in rollover accidents and that these accidents stem from a variety of causes and collision types. Moreover, the common injuries that may result from a rollover accident are substantial and may require long-term care. However, determining who may be liable for the damages that result should not stop with the parties involved in the crash. To properly investigate rollover accidents, one must evaluate the liability of persons or companies responsible for vehicle upkeep as well as the vehicle manufacturers’ adherence to industry safety standards. Thus, hiring a rollover car accident attorney with experience and understanding of these types of wrecks and the obligations of every potentially liable party is critical.
Car Rollover Accident Statistics for 2022
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 7418 passenger vehicle occupants died in rollover car accidents in 2022. 46% of these were the result of a head-on impact, 4% of the rollovers were the result of being rear-ended, 16% were side-impacts including sideswipe accidents and broadside accidents, 23% were the result of single-vehicle accidents with no impact before rolling over and 11% were listed as “other.” Additionally, rollovers accounted for 29% of all vehicle deaths from motor vehicle accidents. The deadliest were the single-vehicle accidents in which 49% of the occupants involved were killed. In 2002, The US Department of Transportation studied Rollover accidents and found that close to 75% of the occupants killed in rollover crashes were not wearing their seatbelts.
Who is Liable in a Rollover Accident?
There may be several parties liable for a rollover accident, some of whom may not be present at the time of the wreck. Any driver involved in the collision that produces the rollover may be liable if they were negligent in operating their vehicle and causing the collision. Additionally, anyone responsible for vehicle maintenance or repairs such as a mechanic or company vehicle owner may be liable if the tires were under or over-inflated, the tire tread was not properly monitored, and/or the vehicle failed to operate properly resulting in loss of steering or brakes. If any of these defects caused the loss of control resulting in a rollover, the party responsible for that care may be liable. Lastly, the vehicle manufacturer may be liable if the vehicle fails to protect the occupants in accordance with industry specifications on airbag deployment, seat belt operation, and/or crush resistance if these failures produce a preventable injury to the occupant.
What Should I Do After a Rollover Accident?
After you have survived a rollover accident, the first thing you should do is make sure that you and any other occupants are safe. Next check to see that the vehicle is not on fire and make sure any potential sources of ignition such as a cigarette are extinguished. If you can safely get out of the vehicle, carefully make sure the roadway is clear to get out and move to a place of safety. Do not attempt to move anyone who cannot move on their own unless the vehicle is at risk of exploding or catching fire. Moving someone with a spinal injury can result in more severe injury to them. Call 911 and notify the police as well as emergency services for anyone sustaining injury.
After you are safely out of harm’s way, you may wish to take photographs of the vehicles and the scene. After the vehicle is towed to a storage location, you should go there and take detailed photos of the vehicle, including the tires, the roof and supporting structures to the roof from inside and outside of the vehicle, the seat belt, and the airbags. A vehicle defect attorney will need to see these in order to evaluate a potential product liability case. Do not let the vehicle be disposed of or destroyed until the product liability evaluation is complete and your attorney says it is ok to dispose of the vehicle. Lastly, call a rollover car accident lawyer to start taking steps to protect your rights and to seek fair compensation for your injures and damages from the proper liable parties.
Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee contract so that you pay no attorney’s fees nor attorney expenses unless a recovery is made for you. Call 800-298-0111 for your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable for an ATV rollover accident?
ATV rollover accidents are commonly caused by driver error. However, when children and/or passengers are involved, parents have certain obligations and responsibilities to make sure the vehicle is being operated safely. Property and/or ATV owners may have liability for allowing unqualified riders to use ATVs the rider is not familiar with when the rider is injured. In addition, design and vehicle defects can occur in ATVs. This would result in liability by the manufacturer of the defect causes the rollover. An ATV accident lawyer should be consulted to determine whether any of these parties bears responsibility for a particular accident.
What are the most common causes of rollovers in multi-vehicle accidents?
In multi-vehicle rollover accidents, the most common cases are:
- Front-end impact collisions
- Side-impacts collisions
- Rear-end collisions.
What are the common causes of single-vehicle rollover accidents?
Common causes of single-vehicle rollover accidents involving passenger vehicles include:
- Weather conditions causing icy or slick roads
- Over-correction of a vehicle after leaving a roadway
- Underinflated tires
- Vehicle defects resulting in steering issues.
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