Rollover accidents can happen in any vehicle and cause catastrophic injuries. Accident victims may sustain permanent impairments, resulting in a lifetime of medical bills and lost wages.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand what is at stake when we represent accident victims. Our Clearwater rollover accident lawyers work diligently to get you the money you deserve after your crash. We have recovered over $120 million for our clients in settlements and jury verdicts to date.
Contact our Clearwater law firm or call (727) 787-2500 for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer.
How Our Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Rollover Accident
Rollovers are some of the worst car accidents imaginable. Our Clearwater car accident attorneys at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers understand that you have been through a traumatic experience. We want to make the claims process as easy for you as possible. Our legal team handles all of the legal matters for your claim so that you can focus on your recovery.
When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the cause of the collision and gather evidence proving fault
- Identify all parties who might bear liability for your damages
- Work with your doctors to document your injuries and the severity of your damages
- Calculate the value of your damages
- File all claims and negotiate settlements
- Develop an effective attorney-client relationship
Let’s work together to get you the money you deserve. Contact our office to discuss your case and obtain legal advice from an experienced Clearwater personal injury lawyer. Your initial consultation is free of charge.
How Often Do Rollover Accidents Occur?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 6,358 people died in rollover crashes in 2019. Rollover crashes accounted for about 28 percent of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths that year. SUVs had the highest percentage (39%) of occupant deaths in rollover accidents, followed by pickup trucks (38%) and passenger cars (30%).
In Florida, there were over 8,600 rollover or overturn accidents in 2019. One and sixty-four people died in these accidents, and thousands more were injured.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to research rollover accidents to provide additional information to the public about these tragic accidents.
How Do Rollover Accidents Occur?
Rollover accidents generally are caused by trips. About 95 percent of rollover crashes involving single vehicles are tripped events.
A “tripped” rollover accident occurs because the vehicle’s wheels left the road when they ran over an object. Common tripping hazards include hazardous road conditions, debris, curbs, road shoulders, medians, and guardrails.
Un-tripped rollover accidents generally involve excessive speed or sharp corners or curves. A vehicle may go around a curve too fast, causing the car to flip over. Alternatively, a driver may swerve to miss something, lose control of the vehicle, and flip the vehicle.
A passenger vehicle with a high center of gravity has a high risk of rolling over. Vehicles such as SUVs, pickup trucks, and semi-trucks are a few examples of passenger vehicles that are prone to rollover accidents.
What Factors Contribute to the Cause of Rollover Accidents?
Speeding and tripping hazards are not the only two factors that could be involved in a rollover accident.
Other situations that could cause a rollover crash include:
- Riding on worn tires that reduce the traction the tires have with the road
- Defective tires that result in a blowout that causes the driver to jerk the wheel and the vehicle to roll over
- Poor weather conditions reduce the tires traction with the road
- Loading a vehicle in a way that shifts the center of gravity or makes the vehicle top-heavy
- Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol
- Distracted, drunk, and drowsy driving
There could be multiple factors that contribute to the cause of a crash. Identifying each of the factors that contributed to the crash helps our legal team identify each party responsible for your damages.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Rollover Accident?
When a rollover occurs, the vehicle’s occupants may be thrown around the inside of the car or ejected from the vehicle. In many cases, the sides and the roof of the vehicle may crush and enter the occupant area.
Injuries may include permanent brain damage, amputations, paralysis, multiple broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage. The damages caused by a rollover accident can be extensive.
Damages that are often included in a rollover accident claim are:
- Past and future cost of medical treatment and care
- Past and future cost of personal care and skilled nursing care
- Loss of income and benefits
- Future loss of income and reductions in earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life and reduced quality of life
- Mental, physical, and emotional pain and suffering
The party responsible for the cause of the accident is responsible for the damages caused by the accident. That could include the vehicle’s driver, another motorist, vehicle and parts manufacturers, government entities, road crews, and others.
You only have two years from the date of your accident to pursue these damages under Florida’s statute of limitations (as of March 24, 2023 – accidents occurring prior to this date are typically subject to a four-year deadline). Wrongful death claims have a two-year statute of limitations.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for My Rollover Accident?
Florida’s modified comparative fault rules allow you to recover compensation after an accident as long as you’re 50% or less at fault for the incident. These rules will reduce your damages to account for your level of fault.
For example, if you have $20,000 in damages after a rollover but are 30% at fault, you could only recover $14,000. If you are 51% at fault, you couldn’t recover any money.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Clearwater Auto Accident Lawyers After a Rollover
Our legal team in Pinellas County works tirelessly to identify all parties responsible for your injuries. We then fight to get you the maximum compensation available for your claim.
Contact our office to schedule your free consultation with one of our Clearwater car accident attorneys to discuss your case.
Our law firm handles all types of car accident cases involving:
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Drowsy Driving Accidents
- Multi-Vehicle Crashes
- Parking Lot Accidents
- Rear-end Crashes
- Red and Yellow Light Accidents
