In the blink of an eye, a rollover accident can completely change your life. As a survivor, you may be left with life-long injuries, emotional distress, and expensive medical bills. Others are not so lucky. Rollover accidents are a leading cause of road fatalities, and some victims may be left with permanent disabilities that forever change their lives.
Determining the Cause of a Rollover Accident
After being involved in a rollover accident, it’s important to determine who is to blame for your injuries. This type of accident may have a number of causes, including:
- Distracted driving, such as cell phone usage, eating, fatigue, and talking to other passengers.
- Impaired driving, whether under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Driving above the speed limit.
- Poor road conditions, such as damaged pavement, potholes, sharp turns, and poorly designed lanes.
- Vehicle defects, including faulty tires, a high profile, and a defective suspension system.
Trucks and SUVs are more likely to be involved in a rollover accident due to having a high center of gravity. However, smaller vehicles may also lose control, resulting in a rollover.
Types of Injuries Sustained from Rollover Accidents
The power of a rollover accident can leave you with a wide range of injuries. Ejections are common if passengers are not wearing a seatbelt. If the roof is crushed, other serious injuries may also occur. Some more commonly reported injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brian injuries are either categorized as closed or open. Both types are equally dangerous. Traumatic brain injuries may lead to memory loss, cognitive impairments, paralysis, and loss of fine motor skills.
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal column is very serious, and depending on the extent and location of the damage, victims may experience sensory impairments or paralysis. - Broken Bones and Loss of Limbs
The sudden impact of a rollover accident may completely crush parts of your body. It’s common to see broken bones, including arms, legs and ribs. Amputation is sometimes necessary in extreme situations. - Death
Many rollover accidents are fatal, usually as a result of blunt force trauma or ejection. A wrongful death claim may be filed by surviving relatives to recoup monetary damages.
Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries
If the accident was caused by the negligence of another, you should seek compensation. Insurance companies often deny or pay very little on injury claims. Hiring a personal injury attorney with experience in rollover accidents will help ensure you are awarded a fair settlement.
Your attorney will prove who is at fault for your accident, whether it is the other driver, vehicle manufacturer, or a road maintenance agency. Evidence from the accident scene, including photographs, police reports, and witness statements, will play a major role in determining a monetary amount for your settlement.
