Every year, thousands of individuals are involved in motor vehicle accidents, with some resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities. Among the various types of accidents, rollover accidents stand out due to their tendency to cause catastrophic injuries and death. This blog will explore the causes, injuries, and liability associated with rollover accidents. Understanding these factors can help raise awareness and promote safer driving practices, helping to reduce the occurrence of these devastating accidents.
Causes of Rollover Accidents
Rollovers occur when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof during a collision or due to other factors. While any motor vehicle can be involved in a rollover accident, certain factors increase the likelihood of such an event.
Six factors that increase the likelihood of a rollover accident are:
- Vehicle Type: Tall and narrow passenger vehicles, such as SUVs, trucks, and vans, have a higher center of gravity, making them more prone to rollovers when compared to other automobiles.
- Speed: High speeds significantly increase the risk of rollover accidents. The higher the rate, the more likely a driver may lose control of their vehicle, leading to a rollover.
- Road Conditions: Poor road conditions, including uneven surfaces, potholes, and gravel, can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, leading to this type of accident.
- Driver Behavior: Reckless driving behaviors like aggressive maneuvers, abrupt steering, sudden lane changes, and overcorrection can contribute to rollover accidents.
- Alcohol and Drug Impairment: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of these accidents.
- Tire Blowouts: Sudden tire blowouts can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, resulting in a rollover.
Injuries Resulting from Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents often result in severe injuries due to the violent nature of the event. The injuries sustained can have long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences for the victims.
Some common injuries associated with rollover accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): When a vehicle rolls over, occupants risk hitting their heads on hard surfaces, leading to concussions, brain contusions, or even more severe traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The forceful impact of a rollover accident can cause damage to the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
- Bone Fractures: Rollover accidents often result in fractures of the limbs, ribs, skull, or facial bones due to the force exerted on the body during the event.
- Internal Injuries: The violent motion of a rollover accident can cause internal injuries, such as organ damage, internal bleeding, or collapsed lungs.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Whiplash, sprains, strains, and bruising are common soft tissue injuries that occur when the body is forcefully jolted during a rollover accident.
- Psychological Trauma: Rollover accidents can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental well-being. This impact can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety disorders.
Liability in Rollover Accidents
Determining liability in a rollover accident can be complex, as multiple parties may share responsibility.
Potential liable parties include:
- Negligent Drivers: If the rollover was caused by a driver’s negligence, such as reckless driving, speeding, or impaired driving, they may be held responsible for the resulting injuries and damages.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: Defective design or manufacturing flaws in vehicles, including inadequate stability control systems, faulty tires, or weak roofs, can contribute to rollover accidents. In such cases, the manufacturer may be liable or partially liable for the injuries sustained.
- Government Entities: If poor road maintenance, inadequate signage, or hazardous road conditions played a role in the rollover accident, the responsible government entity could be liable for their negligence.
- Third Parties: In certain cases, third parties, such as construction companies or cargo loaders, may share liability if their actions or negligence contributed to the rollover.
Car Accident Lawyers in Tucson
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a rollover or any type of automobile accident, contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer is crucial. The attorneys at Grabb & Durando will fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
