Rollover accidents are vehicle accidents that result in the vehicle rollover over to its side or rolling over and resting on its roof. While SUVs are generally associated with rollover accidents, a sedan, minivan, truck, tractor trailer or any other type of motor vehicle can end up in a rollover accident. While rollover accidents are not as common as head-on collisions, rear-end collisions or side collisions, they are quite deadly. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 30% of passenger vehicle accident deaths occur in rollover accidents. One reason that rollover accidents are so deadly is that SUVs and other vehicles are fitted with relatively weak roofs that collapse during a rollover. If you or a family member was injured in a rollover accident due to the poor design of the vehicle or due to another driver's negligence, it is important to contact an experienced Long Island Rollover Accidents Lawyer who will help ensure that those responsible for your injuries are held accountable.
Causes of Rollover AccidentsOne common reason that a vehicle rolls over is aggressive driving. If a vehicle is traveling too fast and is unable to properly navigate a curve, for example, the vehicle could end up going off the road and rolling over. Another reason for a rollover is where a driver overcorrects. For example, a driver may drift off into another lane because of distracted driving, or because he or she is tired or under the influence. In order to quickly get back into the correct lane the driver may turn the steering wheel too forcefully and as a result cause the vehicle to flip over.
Another reason that a car may flip and rollover is that it hits something that causes it to leave the road and rollover. For example, if a car hits a guardrail, median, or sidewalk, it could end up on its side or it could end up rolling over an embankment. The reason that the car hits something could be negligence on the part of the driver, or some external reason.
Like any vehicle accident, a manufacturing or design defect could lead to a rollover. If this is the case, then the manufacture of the vehicle may be legally liable to the victims.
Consequences of Rollover AccidentsVictims injured in rollover accidents are often left with serious injuries and in deep financial distress. Through a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit the person whose negligence resulted in the accident would be held financially accountable. You may be able to recover medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity and pain and suffering. For example, you may be able to sue the person whose negligence caused your injury and recover money for the bills related to fees from doctors, the hospital, and the emergency room. With a severe injury these bills can easily add to thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, through a personal injury lawsuit you can also seek compensation for future medical expenses related to the accident.
You can also seek to recover lost wages and loss of future earning capacity. The amount of recovery would be the amount of money you would have earned but for the accident as well as the estimated decrease in ability to earn money in the future. In determining the amount of your loss of future earning capacity the court will consider factors such as your age, general health, life expectancy, occupation, talents, skill, experience, and training.
Another compensable loss is pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is a damage award for the physical pain as well as emotional discomfort that you suffer because of your injury. Most serious, traumatic injuries will cause you some level of physical pain or discomfort. The loss of a significant bodily function would easily cause you a considerable amount of emotional suffering.
Determining the cause of a rollover accident may turn on complicated evidentiary issues. Thus, if you or a loved one was injured in an accident it is critical to immediately contact an attorney with experience. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates has extensive experience representing clients injured in SUV rollover accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident.