A rollover is a type of car accident in which the vehicle flips over onto its side. In the most serious cases, the car will flip onto its roof or roll over again and again. Injuries from these accidents can be extremely serious, and in fact, rollovers are the leading cause of fatal car crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In their report, “Characteristics of Fatal Rollover Crashes,” around 36% of all fatal car crashes were the result of a rollover accident.
Were you or a loved one injured from a rollover accident? Did your family member or spouse pass away as a result of a vehicle rollover? If the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, the auto manufacturer, Caltrans, or any other entity, you may have grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Our attorneys can advise you of your legal rights and provide answers to important questions, including, “How much can I receive from a rollover accident lawsuit?”
An experienced car accident lawyer is your best ally if you are struggling to recover from a vehicle rollover injury. The at-fault party’s insurance company will do their best to deny your claim or pay you as little as they can get away with. We will take immediate action on your case and fight aggressively to recover the payment you deserve. Contact us right away to schedule a free case evaluation.
Common Causes of Rollover Accidents
There are many conditions that can cause a car to roll over, but usually, these accidents happen when the vehicle is thrown off balance by an outside force. These forces include, but are not limited to:
- Bad weather conditions
- Reckless / distracted driving
- High winds
- Overloading cargo (especially on trucks and SUVs)
- Sharp turns
- Being hit by another vehicle or object
- Defective car parts (air bags, for example)
Some of these accidents can be blamed on the driver – for example, if they were speeding – but others are caused by acts of negligence. To file a claim for monetary compensation, you will need to figure out who (or what) was responsible for your accident. This can be very challenging to figure out, which is why you should speak with an attorney right away. Our lawyers have many years of experience in car accident investigations and know what to look for in order to determine liability in a vehicle rollover case.
Vehicles that are Prone to Rollover Accidents
While any vehicle can roll over in a car accident, SUVs, trucks, and vans are much more prone to these incidents. These cars are top-heavy with a higher center of gravity, which makes them less stable in the event of an accident. Thus, they are more likely to flip onto the side and roll, compared to a sedan or another vehicle that’s low to the ground.
Overall, the risk of a rollover is greater in SUVs than any other type of automobile. Any sharp and unexpected changes in the center of gravity can cause a “pendulum effect,” which decreases your ability to control the vehicle. The more the SUV swings back and forth, the more likely it will roll over and cause serious injuries, including death.
If you or a loved one was the victim of a SUV rollover, it’s essential to learn about the legal options that are available to you. We can take swift and decisive action on your case and fight for the compensation you deserve if you were harmed due to someone else’s negligence. We can also assist you with a van or pickup truck rollover accident case, or accidents involving any other type of personal or commercial vehicle.
The Impact of a Rollover Accident on Your Body
Not all car accidents are serious, but the potential for catastrophic injuries is much greater with rollover accidents. If those inside the car are not wearing a seatbelt, they can be ejected through the windshield, door, or window and die from the resulting impact. However, even those who stay inside the car can be seriously harmed by loose objects flying around and the brute force of a car flipping upside down, sometimes repeatedly. Possible injuries from a vehicle rollover accident include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Skull fracture
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Neck injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Amputation
- Permanent disability (nerve damage, paraplegia, quadriplegia, etc.)
Thankfully, serious injury rates have gone down due to modern safety features like airbags. However, there are cases of defective airbags that fail to deploy, along with other safety features that could have minimized the impact from an accident. In this case, you may have grounds to sue the auto parts manufacturer. A car accident attorney at our office will investigate your accident and determine the right legal strategy for your case.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$1.5 Million
$1.5 Million
$2 Million
$1.5 Million
$734,851
$600,000
What is the Average Value of a Rollover Accident Case?
This is a very complex question to answer, as it all depends on the circumstances that are unique to each accident. We can say for sure that victims of rollover accidents are at greater risk of severe, long-term health issues, including brain damage, loss of function, and PTSD. As a result, it’s not unusual to see settlements of $1 million to $3.5 million with these cases. Of course, there are many accidents with less serious injuries, but even those can be worth around $250,000 to $550,000.
Due to the wide range in settlement values, it’s best to meet with an attorney who can go over the details that are specific to your case. The lawyers of Normandie look forward to speaking with you and bringing you the highest possible settlement for your injuries.
What are the Available Damages from a Vehicle Rollover Lawsuit?
When we pursue a compensation award on behalf of a client, there are various forms of compensation we ask for, which are known as “damages.” Some of these damages are related to financial losses, while others have to do with the mental and emotional toll of suffering a serious car accident. Damages also depend on whether you are the accident victim or a family member of a deceased victim.
As the injured victim, you may qualify to receive the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
Now, let’s look at the damages for a wrongful death claim, which is a legal action filed by loved ones when someone dies due to another party’s negligence or misconduct. Damages for wrongful death are based on the survivors’ losses, which typically include:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical costs related to the decedent’s accident
- Loss of expected income / savings
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Attorney’s fees
Our attorneys are here for you every step of the way, and we will not rest until you receive justice from the responsible individual or entity. Please give us a call to learn more about your rights and legal options.
Factors that Affect a Rollover Accident Case Value
Clearly, the severity of your injuries is one of the most important factors in determining the value of a rollover accident case. However, there are many other elements that we take into account when we consider what a rollover lawsuit is worth:
- Cost of medical treatments – aside from treating the immediate injuries, most victims require follow-up appointments, surgery, medications, physical therapy, and other forms of on-going treatments.
- Time missed from work – a serious auto accident can keep you out of work for weeks or months. Lost wages is an essential form of compensation to make up for this time. Aside from your normal pay, you can ask to be reimbursed for sick, vacation, or personal days (PTO) that you were forced to use due to the injuries from your accident.
- Long-term health complications – if the injuries are serious enough, victims can be left with debilitating effects for the rest of their lives. These issues include mental health disorders, like PTSD and depression. The emotional toll of living with these conditions is a crucial element in the calculation of future losses, such as lifelong care costs and lost earning potential.
- Degree of negligence – the level of negligence or misconduct by the other party can affect the amount of restitution you are entitled to. For example, they may be ordered to pay punitive damages, which are a form of punishment ordered by the courts in cases of extreme negligence. California does not have a limit on the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded, so these amounts can have a significant impact on the value of a rollover accident case.
This is not a comprehensive list, meaning there may be other elements that will affect your settlement value. If you are looking to maximize your compensation from a rollover injury claim , please contact us for a free case review.
How long will it take to Settle my Case?
We understand how important it is to settle your claim and obtain the funds you are due in a timely manner. Our job is to work tirelessly on your case and bring you those damages as fast as possible. Sometimes, that can be as little as 30 days, but most rollover injury cases take longer to resolve due to the serious nature of these accidents. Negotiating a settlement that’s in line with your level of suffering can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. If the responsible party is acting in bad faith and it’s clear that negotiations are not possible, a lawsuit may need to be filed. If that happens, the process of recovering your damages can take 2 or more years.
Statute of Limitations to File a Rollover Accident Claim
How long you have to sue the at fault party for your injuries is a critical question. If you miss the statute of limitations for your lawsuit, it’s more than likely that you will lose the right to sue, regardless of the severity of your injuries. Generally, a personal injury claim for a rollover accident must be filed within two years from the date of your accident. There are a few exceptions to this rule, which our attorneys can discuss with you. In the case of wrongful death, surviving spouses and family members have two years from the date of death to sue the negligent person, company, etc.
Contact a Lawyer Experienced in Rollover Accident Injuries
There’s no denying the devastating impact of a car accident, whether you are the driver, passenger, or the loved one a deceased victim. Money can’t make up for everything you’ve lost, but it can help you avoid financial hardship and provide the means to move forward from your accident. Our law firm has decades of experience in the recovery of car accident settlements. We know what it takes to build a strong case and negotiate a settlement that’s in your favor.
Our lawyers don’t just work with recent accident victims; we also take on cases that were filed by other law firms. Many of the clients that come to us have pending rollover claims, but they’re not happy with their attorneys or the lack of progress towards a settlement. If you are in this predicament, contact us for a second opinion. This is a free consultation where you can have your case reviewed by one of our attorneys. They will make their recommendations and help you take the necessary steps to ensure the best possible outcome.
The Zero fee guarantee is another way that we can help you, as many people are afraid of the costs associated with hiring an attorney. Our law firm works on contingency, meaning you pay absolutely nothing to retain our services. We bill the defendant for our expenses, which we only recover by winning your case. We are happy to discuss this policy with you, along with any other concerns you have during a free initial consultation. Contact Normandie Law Firm and speak with a California rollover accident attorney.
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