All car accidents can frighten their victims, but a crash in which your vehicle rolls over can particularly traumatize you. As a car rolls over, your life can flash before for eyes—and for good reason, as rollovers are some of the most dangerous accidents that occur.
In 2017, 557 traffic-related fatalities took place in Maryland, 28 in Charles County. More than 51,000 people suffered injuries statewide. Many of these crashes involved a vehicle that rolled over.
Rollover accidents may involve multiple vehicles or a single vehicle. Just because your car was the only one involved in an accident does not necessarily mean you don’t have important rights, however.
No matter how your rollover crash happened, consult an experienced Maryland rollover car accident attorney to learn about your legal options. Call Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers at (301) 932-9997 today to schedule a consultation.
Common Causes of Rollovers
Rollovers occur for many different reasons and several parties may contribute to them. First, while any vehicle can roll over, specific types of vehicles are especially prone to rolling over.
Any of the following may put you at a particularly high risk of a rollover crash:
- Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) – Many SUVs and Jeeps have high centers of gravity and narrow bases, which can increase the chances of a rollover. Auto manufacturers try to address this safety concern by installing roll bars or roll cages in many vehicles, which aim to prevent the roof from collapsing. Even with these features, vehicle occupants can still suffer injuries in rollovers.
- 15-passenger vans – Many high-profile crashes involve 15-passenger vans that rolled over, resulting in fatalities. These vans are long and extremely top-heavy, and some vans do not have the appropriate wheelbase for the added weight in the back of the vehicle. When a packed 15-passenger van rolls, many passengers do not have adequate access to seat belts or choose not to wear them. Without restraints, occupants can get thrown all around the van and into one another in a rollover.
- Commercial trucks and buses – Semi-trucks and buses are also tall, narrow vehicles that can easily tip over. When a truck rolls over, the cargo in the truck can often spill, which can cause other vehicles to crash. A bus that rolls creates similar concerns to a 15-passenger van that rolls, as bus passengers rarely wear seatbelts.
No matter what type of vehicle is involved, rollovers can occur when you least expect them. Causes of rollovers include:
- A distracted driver has to quickly swerve and loses control of the car
- A driver runs another car off the road and it rolls down an embankment
- A truck takes a turn too quickly and tips over
- A car hits a curb or a road hazard that trips one of the tires
- A tire blows out and throws the car or truck off balance
To know who you might hold liable for your losses, you will need to determine exactly what caused your vehicle to roll.
Injuries & Losses of Rollover Victims
Rollover accident victims can suffer severe injuries. A rollover can cause trauma to multiple parts of the body, often resulting in many injuries.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Head and face injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal hemorrhaging
- Internal organ damage
The scene of a rollover accident usually involves emergency personnel and first responders who might have to cut victims out of the vehicle. Many victims require emergency transportation in an ambulance or medevac, as their injuries require immediate trauma care. Some injuries require admission to the hospital for a prolonged period of time, surgical procedures, stays in rehabilitation facilities, and other extensive treatments.
Victims can suffer many losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Costs of future medical care
- Lost wages from missed work
- Future lost earning potential
- Permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering
Because rollover accident injuries can often prove devastating, victims may need to recover financially for their losses. Our injury and accident lawyers, however, know how to evaluate your losses and seek an appropriate amount of compensation to pay for them.
Who Is Responsible for Your Rollover Accident?
Maryland law holds an at-fault party responsible for the losses of other victims. Injured accident victims can seek payment by first filing an insurance claim. If the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement, victims can turn to the courts and file personal injury lawsuits.
Different parties may bear fault for a rollover, including:
- The driver of the vehicle that rolled
- A driver of another vehicle
- The vehicle manufacturer
- Road maintenance agencies
If the negligent party is a driver and was driving as part of a job at the time of the accident, the employer may also face strict liability for any injured the driver caused. Our lawyers know how to bring claims with insurers whether the insured is an individual or a large corporation. We will aggressively seek the payment that rollover accident victims need to cover their losses.
After a Devastating Injury, You Can Trust Our Maryland Rollover Accident Attorneys
The injuries from a rollover accident can derail your life for a long time or even permanently. At Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers, we want you to move forward in the best position possible, both physically and financially. While you focus on the treatment you need, we can focus on seeking the compensation you deserve.
While a legal case may seem like added stress, knowing you have our car accident attorneys fighting for your rights can give you peace of mind.
If you want to schedule a free case evaluation, please call (301) 932-9997 or contact us online to get started today.