The physical pain of a rollover accident is only the beginning. The deeper fear arrives later, in the quiet moments between doctor’s appointments and physical therapy sessions. It is the cold, gut-wrenching worry about the future.
How will you pay for the next surgery, and the one after that? How will you provide for your family now that you can no longer work? The fear of becoming a financial burden on the people you love can be as devastating as the injury itself.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we fight that fear. We fight for comprehensive, lifetime resources that protect your family’s future and enable you to focus on one thing: your recovery.
We are the Clearwater rollover accident lawyer team that helps you rebuild the security that was taken from you.
Why Choose Roman Austin for Your Rollover Accident Claim?
When you are facing the consequences of a catastrophic accident, the law firm you choose is a decision that will shape your recovery. You need a team with deep local roots, a record of handling complex injury claims, and a genuine commitment to your well-being.
Local knowledge of Clearwater and Pinellas County
Our personal injury attorneys live and work in the Tampa Bay area. We are not a distant, national firm that sees your case as a file number. We know the unique dangers of roads like U.S. 19 and the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
We are familiar with the procedures at the Pinellas County Justice Center and have established relationships with medical providers at Morton Plant Hospital and throughout the community. This local insight is a tangible advantage in building your case.
A record of fighting for our clients
While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, our record demonstrates a commitment to fighting for the resources our clients require. We have secured numerous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in complex personal injury cases. We prepare every case for the rigors of trial, which often positions us to negotiate from a position of strength and resolve cases for their full and fair value.
A commitment to personal attention
From the moment you contact our Clearwater office, you will feel the difference. You will speak directly with your legal team, and we will remain accessible to you throughout your case. We take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and ensure you are informed every step of the way. We manage the fight so you can manage your health.
You pay no fees unless we win your case
We represent rollover accident victims on a contingency fee basis. This means you owe us absolutely nothing upfront, and you will pay no attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover a financial settlement or verdict for you. This approach removes any financial barrier to getting the high-quality legal representation you need right now.
Fighting for the Financial Resources Your Recovery Demands
A rollover accident inflicts damages that extend far beyond the initial hospital stay. The financial resources needed for a full recovery must account for a lifetime of potential needs. Our objective is to meticulously document every single loss to build a powerful and undeniable claim for compensation.
Covering a lifetime of medical needs
The immediate medical costs, including trauma care, surgery, and hospitalization, are often staggering. The true financial impact, however, lies in the future. A catastrophic injury can require years or even a lifetime of ongoing medical support. We work with your doctors and life care planning professionals to project these future costs.
Your life care plan is a comprehensive roadmap of your future medical requirements. It is a vital tool for showing an insurance company the true cost of your injuries.
- Multiple future surgeries or revision procedures.
- In-home nursing care or placement in an assisted living facility.
- Physical, occupational, and vocational rehabilitation.
- Wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, and other assistive technologies.
- Necessary modifications to your home and vehicle for accessibility.
These projected expenses form a core component of your claim. We fight to ensure any recovery fully accounts for these long-term necessities.
Lost income and future earnings
Severe injuries almost always result in a significant amount of time away from work. We gather your employment records, pay stubs, and tax returns to calculate the full value of your lost wages.
In many rollover cases, the victim can never return to their previous career. Diminished earning capacity is a legal term for this devastating loss. Imagine you are a skilled construction worker who suffers a severe spinal injury. You can no longer perform physical labor, and your ability to earn a living for the rest of your life is permanently reduced. We work with economists to calculate the full value of this lost future income.
The human cost of a rollover
While no amount of money can erase the trauma of a rollover, the law allows you to seek compensation for the non-economic damages you have suffered. This is compensation for the profound human cost of the accident. It includes the physical pain, the emotional anguish, the loss of independence, and the inability to enjoy the life you had before the crash.
Why Rollover Accidents Are So Devastating
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollovers only occur in a small percentage of all crashes, yet they account for a disproportionately high number of traffic fatalities. Their violent nature and the potential for ejection make them uniquely dangerous events.
Causes of rollovers in Pinellas County
Most rollovers are not random events. A specific type of impact or a reckless driving maneuver often triggers them.
- Tripped rollovers: This is the most common type. A vehicle is tripped when its tires dig into soft soil or strike a curb or guardrail, initiating the roll. This often happens after a driver loses control at high speed.
- High-speed evasive maneuvers: A driver swerving aggressively to avoid an obstacle can upset the vehicle’s balance, especially in top-heavy SUVs and trucks, causing it to roll.
- T-bone collisions: A forceful impact to the side of a vehicle, particularly at an intersection, can lift the vehicle and cause it to roll over.
- Tire blowouts: A sudden tire failure at highway speeds can cause a driver to lose control, leading to a tripped rollover.
Injuries associated with rollovers
The violent forces in a rollover often lead to life-altering injuries. The lack of protection and the likelihood of being tossed around inside the vehicle, or ejected from it, can cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): From mild concussions to severe, permanent brain damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Resulting in partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia).
- Crush injuries and amputations: When a limb is pinned under the weight of the vehicle.
- Severe fractures: Often involving multiple broken bones that require extensive surgery.
Protection from Insurance Company Tactics
After a serious car accident, you are at your most vulnerable. This is precisely when the at-fault driver’s insurance company will work hardest to protect its own financial interests. Their objective is to pay as little as possible on your claim, and they use specific strategies to achieve this goal.
Managing the adjuster’s first call and recorded statement
Within days of the rollover, you will receive a call from an insurance adjuster. They will sound sympathetic and helpful, but their primary goal is to gather information they can use against you. They will almost certainly ask you to provide a recorded statement about the accident. You are not obligated to do this, and you should politely decline.
Why the first settlement offer is rarely the best one
Another common tactic is the quick, lowball settlement offer. The insurer may offer you a few thousand dollars within the first couple of weeks, hoping you are stressed about your bills and will accept the fast cash. This offer is a calculated risk on their part. They are betting that they can close your claim for a fraction of its true value before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Building a firewall between you and the insurer
When you hire our firm, we establish a legal firewall immediately. We send a formal letter of representation to the insurance company, directing them to cease all contact with you. This immediately stops the phone calls and the pressure. From that moment forward, you can focus entirely on your medical recovery while we handle every aspect of the claim.
This changes the entire dynamic of the process. The communication is no longer between a powerful corporation and an injured individual. It is between our law firm and their legal department.
We present your claim not as a request, but as a formal demand for payment, supported by a comprehensive investigation, medical documentation, expert opinions, and a credible threat of litigation. We control the narrative and negotiate from a position of strength.
What to Do While You Recover
While your legal team builds your case, your job is to focus on your health. There are several steps you can take during this time to support both your recovery and your claim.
Your focus should be on your well-being, but these simple steps can help support your case. They provide a clear record of your journey for the insurance company and a potential jury.
- Follow all medical advice. Attend every doctor’s appointment and physical therapy session. Following your treatment plan is the most important thing you can do for your health and it creates a clear medical record.
- Keep a simple journal. Take a few minutes each day to write down your pain levels, the physical challenges you are facing, and how the injuries are affecting your daily life.
- Save all paperwork. Keep every medical bill, receipt, and letter from an insurance company in a dedicated folder.
Bring all of this information to your attorney. It provides a powerful, first-hand account of the impact the rollover has had on your life.
FAQ for Clearwater Rollover Accident Lawyer
What if I was a passenger in a car that rolled over?
As a passenger, you have a strong claim for compensation. You were not in control of the vehicle, so you cannot be held at fault. You may have a claim against the driver of the car you were in, the driver of another vehicle that caused the crash, or both, and a car accident attorney can help you determine who is legally responsible.
Can the car manufacturer be held responsible for my injuries?
In some cases, yes. If the rollover was caused or made worse by a vehicle defect, such as a faulty tire, a defective steering component, or a roof that was not strong enough to withstand the impact, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer in addition to your claim against the negligent driver.
How is fault determined if the accident only involved my car?
Even in a single-vehicle rollover, another party may be at fault. Perhaps you had to swerve to avoid a driver who ran a stop sign and cut you off, causing you to lose control. A dangerous road condition, like a massive pothole that the county failed to repair, could also trip your vehicle. A thorough investigation is needed to determine if another party’s negligence caused your accident.
The at-fault driver’s insurance policy isn’t enough to cover my bills. What now?
This is a common problem in catastrophic injury cases. If the at-fault driver’s liability insurance is insufficient, we can investigate other sources of recovery. This includes pursuing a car accident claim under your own Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, which is specifically designed for this situation.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a rollover accident in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations generally gives you four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, the process of investigating and building a complex rollover case takes time. It is vital to contact an attorney long before this deadline approaches.
Your First Step Toward Reclaiming Your Future
You have been through a terrifying ordeal. You deserve a legal team that will treat you with compassion while aggressively fighting for the resources you need to rebuild your life. The attorneys at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to be your advocates.
Contact our Clearwater office today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your rollover accident case. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain how we can help. Call us at (727) 787-2500 or complete our online contact form.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Clearwater, FL
Roman Austin Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
1811 N Belcher Rd. suite i-1,
Clearwater, FL 33765
Phone: (727) 787-2500
Business Hours: 24/7
