Houston Rollover Accidents
“Rollover” car accidents are car crashes where the vehicle flips over to its roof or its side. These accidents can be horrific for all involved. This kind of accident is as dangerous as it gets. While they account for a small number — just 2% of vehicle accidents — roughly 35% of accident-related deaths are down to rollover accidents.
Where there are survivors, it’s common to experience severe injuries and missed work. Missing work hampers your ability to take care of your substantial medical bills. If you’ve been involved in such an accident, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our experienced team at Fitts Law will evaluate your case and create a winning strategy to maximize your compensation.
Types of Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are either tripped or un-tripped. Tripped rollover accidents when the vehicle is sliding sideways and then is “tripped” by an object. The force applied to the tires causes the vehicle to then roll. This National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study suggests that 95% of single-vehicle rollovers are tripped.
External factors are usually responsible for tripped rollovers. Examples include curbs,pavement surface discontinuities, guardrails, or steep slopes in off-road environments, or even soft soil. These types of rollovers can happen when a vehicle runs into one of these obstacles and gets “tripped” and then it is tipped over.
That said, another type of rollover is called an “un-tripped” rollover, which accounts for only 5% of single-vehicle rollovers. These accidents are more likely to happen to vehicles that are top-heavy and often occur during high-speed driving when a driver must make a sudden maneuver to avoid a collision.
For example, if a heavily loaded pickup truck is traveling at high speed and suddenly swerves to avoid a road obstacle, and then quickly turns back to regain control, the top-heaviness of the truck could cause it to roll over. This is an exampled of an “un-tipped” rollover accident.
Rollover accidents: Possible Causes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that almost 85% of rollover-related fatalities are from single-vehicle rollovers. This means only the vehicle that is rolled is usually involved in this kind of accident. From this, it’s safe to infer that driving behavior is a lead factor in rollover accidents.
In most cases, the cause of car accidents is the result of driver negligence or inattention.. For instance, a driver may be driving too fast around a curve, trying too desperately to beat a stop sign, making a quick overcorrection because they were not watching the road, or simply making poor driving decisions.
Taking sudden detours or lane changes to avoid obstacles also leads to rollover accidents. When drivers make these sudden movements, the vehicle’s weight distribution becomes uneven, causing the center of gravity to shift, which can ultimately lead to the vehicle tipping over, especially if it is a taller vehicle like an SUV.
Other causes of rollover accidents may include:
- Unexpected road hazards;
- Poor weather conditions;
- Poor road conditions;
- Distracted driving;
- Drowsy driving (from alcohol and/or drugs); and
- Driving under the influence.
Distracted driving cauases Rollover accidents
Distracted driving is becoming a growing concern, especially because over 433 people in Texas were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2021 alone. On top of that, more drivers are using their phones while behind the wheel.
Common distractions include talking to passengers, grooming, using navigational devices, eating or drinking, and having to deal with pets. These activities should be avoided while driving, as they can cause a driver to take their eyes or mind off the road, leading to a loss of focus and defensive driving.
What to do when involved in a rollover accident
If you are ever involved in a rollover accident there are certain safety (and legal) steps to take to protect yourself. If you are upside down, first you must turn the vehicle off to try to prevent a fire or explosion.
Then, use your feet to stabilize yourself and assess any injuries you or your passengers may have sustained. Once you’re able to safely and quickly exit the vehicle, do so. If not, call 911 while wearing your seat belt.
Once you’ve safely exited the vehicle, help any other passengers and move away from the road to avoid oncoming traffic. Call 911 if you have not already done so. If there are other vehicles involved in the accident, make sure to gather information such as the other driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information.
You also want to take photographs of any damage to your vehicle, other vehicles, or property, as well as any injuries. Gather contact information from any witnesses and seek medical help, even if you do not think you need it.
Remember, rollover accidents can cause both physical and emotional trauma, and some injuries may take some time to kick in due to the adrenaline surge and the resultant state of shock you’re in.
Before talking to any insurance adjusters, we recommend first speaking with an attorney experienced in handling these sorts of claims to avoid being lowballed. (more on this later!)
How do I get compensation for a Rollover accident?
Rollovers are caused by drivers or other drivers who may have been contributorily negligent. In a single-vehicle clash, you can bring a claim for compensation to pay you for your:
- Medical rehabilitation costs, along with other medical expenses;
- Past lost wages;
- Future lost wages;
- Loss of earning potential; and
- Mental anguish.
Nine out of 10 times, the fault lies with someone else. It’s unfair for you to have to suffer as a result of someone else’s negligence. You need a knowledgeable Houston Rollover accident attorney to investigate the cause or determine the root cause from a contributory cause, if any.
Whether recovering damages through a lawsuit, or settlement negotiation, you also need to make sure you have an expert on your side. The insurance company and their adjusters are experts at settling these claims for pennies on the dollar.
Their business thrives on offering you a mere pittance compared to your deserved and entitled compensation. An experienced Houston rollover accident attorney can help you evaluate your maximum compensation and aggressively pursue your claim.
Drive Safely with These Rollover Accident Prevention Tips!
Vehicle safety has come a long way, but there’s still so much you can do to stay safe on the road. Follow these simple tips to enjoy a smooth and secure ride:
- Fasten your seatbelts and make sure everyone in the car does too — it’s the simplest yet most effective way to reduce your risk of a rollover.
- Don’t overload your vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Overloading can make your vehicle less stable and increase the risk of a rollover.
- Keep your tires properly inflated.
- Follow speed limits, especially when driving on rural roads.
Take the Worry Out of Your Rollover Accident Claim with our Qualified Attorneys at Fitts Law Firm!
Recovery should be your top priority after a rollover accident, but dealing with insurance companies can take up all your time and resources. Let our experienced Houston injury attorneys at Fitts Law Firm take care of your claim while you heal.
We’ll ensure your legal claim is filed timely, so you don’t have to worry about missing any deadlines. Our lawyers won’t let an insurance company take advantage of you, and they’ll work tirelessly to identify all liable parties and sources of recovery for your injuries.
When settlement talks are appropriate, we’ll represent you and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. And if it comes to it, we’re ready to take your case to trial to get you the results you want.
With Fitts Law Firm in your corner, rest easy knowing that you’re in good hands. Call us today for a free consultation. You’re not charged a dime in upfront fees; we only get paid if you win. Get the compensation you need to move forward with your lifeCall Today 1-800-99-FITTS.