Posted in Car Accidents,Personal Injury on November 19, 2018
In 2016, an overturning vehicle was the first harmful event in 1,720 car crashes in Alabama. Vehicle overturns caused around 1,180 non-fatal injuries and 50 deaths in 2016. Vehicle rollovers are serious accidents that often cause permanent or fatal injuries. Identifying who or what caused your rollover could lead to financial compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, property repairs, and lost wages. The more you know about vehicle rollover accidents, the easier finding the right car accident lawyer in Huntsville to navigate your case.
Common Vehicle Rollover Injuries
Vehicle rollovers aren’t the most common type of accident, but they are one of the deadliest. Rollovers have a higher fatality rate than other accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In one year of crash data, only 2.1% of collisions were rollovers; yet rollovers accounted for almost 35% of all traffic fatalities that year. Rollovers are so deadly because passengers within the vehicle can strike their bodies against many objects within the vehicle as the car turns or flips. They may suffer injuries such as:
- Crushed and fractured limbs
- Traumatic amputation
- Severe burns
- Lacerations
- Head trauma and brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck and back injury
Some rollover accident victims will never recover. Passengers without seatbelts are more likely to suffer fatal injuries. The typical rollover can cost victims thousands of dollars in medical costs and property damage repairs, not to mention wage losses from missed time at work. If you get into a serious rollover crash, it’s smart to hire an attorney to represent your side of the case. A personal injury lawyer can make sure you get the best possible recovery for your damages in Alabama.
Why Do Vehicle Rollovers Happen in Alabama?
Many vehicle rollovers are single-vehicle accidents. This doesn’t always mean, however, that the crash was the driver’s fault. Single-vehicle rollover accidents often happen when a defective auto part malfunctions; particularly, when a tire blows out. A tire blowout can compromise the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and keep it on the roadway. As soon as a high-speed vehicle’s tire blows out and one side catches the rougher shoulder of the road, the vehicle can overturn. Overcorrecting after a blowout can also cause a rollover.
Vehicle design may also contribute to a rollover accident. SUVs and other tall vehicles are more prone to rollovers due to a higher center of gravity. If a manufacturer creates a vehicle that’s unreasonably prone to rollovers, the manufacturer could be liable for victims’ accidents and related damages. It is the manufacturer’s job to design and produce vehicles that are reasonably safe for consumers. Defective vehicle design that contributes to a rollover accident could give victims the right to file product liability claims in Alabama.
What to Do After a Vehicle Rollover Accident?
Stay calm and call the police if you’re in a vehicle rollover accident. You must call and report a crash in Alabama if it causes injuries or deaths. This is the case in most rollovers. Once the police arrive, give them the facts of the crash as you know them. Do not admit fault for the accident, even if you were the only driver involved. Allow police officers and insurance companies to investigate the incident and assign fault through facts and evidence. Request an ambulance or go to the hospital as soon as possible after your wreck.
Contact Your Local Attorney in Huntsville!
Once you receive medical care for your injuries, contact an attorney. Calling a car accident lawyer before you call an insurance company can give you the tips and information you need for a stronger case. Otherwise, an insurer could take advantage of you using common tactics such as unfairly denying your claim or offering a lowball settlement. Contact a car accident lawyer a soon as you can for tips and counsel you can trust. Then, fight for fair compensation with help from your legal representation.