Rollover Car Accidents in Raleigh, NC
Rollover accidents are violent events. They often result in severe or possibly fatal injuries. If you have been injured in a rollover accident due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to bear the expenses of the accident.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses. A knowledgeable rollover car crash attorney can help you hold the at-fault party accountable and demand the compensation needed to rebuild your life.
At Hardison & Cochran, our trusted injury lawyers have more than 30 years of experience helping those injured in serious crashes in North Carolina. Call or contact us online today for a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.
What Is a Rollover Accident?
A rollover car accident occurs when a vehicle tips onto its side or flips over onto its roof. Any type of car can roll over on its side or roof. But most rollover accidents involve vehicles with higher centers of gravity, such as SUVs, pickup trucks, or large trucks.
The following rollover car accident statistics show the dangers of these crashes:
- Rollover accidents account for just 2.2 percent of all motor vehicle crashes but nearly one-third of all vehicle occupant fatalities.
- Rollover accidents are also responsible for roughly 33 percent of all injury-related costs in the U.S.
- Approximately 350,000 vehicle occupants are involved in rollover accidents in the U.S. each year.
- Rollover crashes result in roughly 224,000 minor to moderate injuries, 14,100 serious injuries, and 9,000 fatalities every year.
- Human factors such as distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence all increase the risk of rollover accidents.
- Wearing a seatbelt significantly improves the odds of surviving a rollover accident.
- People who don’t wear seatbelts are approximately 20 times more likely to sustain severe injuries in rollover accidents.
What Causes Rollover Accidents?
The majority of rollover accidents are preventable crashes caused by human error. Any of the following can be contributing factors in a rollover:
- Distracted driving — When drivers are focused on text messages, phone calls, or other distractions, they are more likely to take turns too quickly or hit other vehicles and objects. This can lead to rollover car accidents.
- Impaired driving — Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs often have impaired judgment, depth perception, and reaction time, increasing the chances of a rollover crash.
- Drowsy driving — When drivers are drowsy, they are more likely to drift into other cars or hazards and rollover.
- Speeding — Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for road conditions significantly increases the risk of a rollover.
- Reckless driving — Reckless driving behaviors such as tailgating and lane weaving can also leave drivers with less time to react and prevent rollovers.
- Vehicle defects — Some vehicles have an unsafe design that makes them more susceptible to rollover accidents. The vehicle manufacturer may be held liable for a defective design.
- Road conditions — Poor road conditions such as large potholes, inadequate drainage, uneven pavement, or low shoulders can lead to loss of control and rollover accidents.
If you have been injured in a rollover car accident that wasn’t your fault you shouldn’t be left with the financial consequences. A skilled rollover accident attorney can investigate the accident and determine what caused the crash and who is financially liable.
Common Injuries from Rollover Accidents
Because of how rollover crashes throw the car’s occupants around, there are multiple ways injuries can be caused. The force of a rollover can fling the occupants around inside the vehicle. This can cause injuries from hitting the inside of the car or being struck by loose objects in the car.
If the car rolls onto its roof, it can collapse and crush the occupants. Rollover accidents also can throw occupants out of the car if they are not wearing seatbelts, resulting in severe or life-threatening injuries.
Regardless of how the trauma occurs, rollover crashes frequently result in the following types of injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Partial or total paralysis
- Back and neck injuries
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Bruises, burns, and cuts
- Loss of limbs
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Other emotional injuries
- Wrongful death
Many of these injuries can cause long-term health issues. The recovery process may be difficult and require expensive surgeries and other treatment.
You shouldn’t have to suffer financially on top of your physical and emotional pain. If you’ve been injured in a rollover car accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses from the responsible party.
Who Is At Fault in a Rollover Accident?
You’ll need to determine who should be held responsible for your injuries in order to pursue a financial recovery. Multiple factors can lead to a rollover car accident. An investigation may be needed to determine every party that contributed to the crash.
Depending on the circumstances, any of the following parties may be at fault in a vehicle rollover accident:
- A driver in the rollover accident — A driver may be at fault if they were distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent and caused the rollover crash.
- A vehicle manufacturer — The manufacturer may be responsible if an unsafe vehicle design or a defective car part contributed to a rollover accident case.
- A government agency — A government agency may share responsibility if it failed to properly maintain roads and the poor road conditions contributed to the rollover.
A compassionate car accident lawyer at Hardison & Cochran can review the details of your accident and help determine who is liable for your injuries. Our attorneys can then help you pursue a personal injury claim to demand compensation to cover your losses.
What To Do After a Rollover Accident
Rollover car accidents are shocking and devastating events. It’s common for victims to feel overwhelmed afterward.
You can take the following steps to lay a strong foundation for your injury case:
- See a doctor — If you didn’t require emergency medical attention, you should seek immediate medical attention to ensure your injuries are diagnosed, treated, and added to your medical records.
- Collect evidence — Gather as much evidence as possible from the accident scene, including photos of the area, driver information, and the names of any eyewitnesses.
- Complete all treatment — Follow your doctor’s care plan and recommendations. Attend all follow-up appointments to show you are taking your recovery seriously.
- Calculate expenses — Keep track of medical bills, invoices, receipts, pay stubs, bank records, vehicle repair estimates, and other documentation of crash-related financial losses.
- Don’t say too much — Never agree to provide written or recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company without seeking the guidance of a personal injury attorney first.
- Stay off social media — Avoid sharing details about the accident or your injuries or posting photos on social media while your injury claim is still pending. Any comments you post on social media may be used by an insurer to undermine your claim.
- Talk to a lawyer — Contact a knowledgeable rollover accident attorney for help as soon as possible.
You need to follow these steps to protect your rights and seek compensation after a rollover accident. There are strict timelines that you must follow. Most insurance companies will question whether the accident caused your injuries if you haven’t seen a doctor within two to three days.
You have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina. Even if you plan to settle with the insurance company, you may have to pursue a lawsuit initially to get the compensation you need.
You’ll want to be sure you have enough time to work through the whole process. An experienced car accident attorney can gather evidence and make sure the filing deadlines are met. The sooner you contact a car accident attorney, the sooner the attorney can begin working on your claim.
Get in Touch with an NC Rollover Accident Lawyer
There’s a lot to deal with after a rollover accident. You’re likely facing injuries and emotional trauma, and the replacement of your car. You shouldn’t have the challenge of filing a car accident claim on your own.
The dedicated personal injury lawyers at Hardison & Cochran are prepared to do whatever it takes to help you pursue fair compensation for your rollover accident injuries. Call or contact us online today to discuss the details of your situation in a free, initial case review.
