Rollover Accident Attorney

John T. Flood is an attorney in Corpus Christi, TX who focuses on rollover accident cases. Call (361) 654-8877 today for a free initial case evaluation. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 23,551 rollover accidents occurred in 2017. Of those, 7,170 vehicle occupants were killed, yielding a 30% fatality rate for those involved.

Causes of Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents can occur for a variety of reasons ranging from vehicle design to road infrastructure. These incidents have the potential to inflict catastrophic injuries and death. Most commonly, the unfortunate cause of rollover accidents is a defect in the design of a vehicle or a component part, though there are also external factors that can increase the likelihood of a rollover.

Vehicle Type

Rollovers occur more often with tall, narrow vehicles such as 18-wheelers, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). These vehicles tend to have a higher center of gravity that makes them more susceptible to overturning in the event of an accident.

Road Design

Infrastructure and traffic are major factors in road traffic safety. Traffic signs that indicate upcoming changes – such as curves, hills, or changes in speed – can greatly impact a driver’s reaction. Drivers’ safety and the lives of other on our roads are put at risk when roads are not properly maintained, have issues such as broken guardrails and traffic signs, or lack adequate traffic signs to indicate a shift in the driver’s path, such as a sharp turn.

Location

Location can also impact the likelihood of a rollover occurring. Drivers who frequently travel in rural areas run a greater risk of experiencing a rollover, as many roads are unlit and/or unmaintained. Drivers rely on safety measures such as guardrails and proper lighting to anticipate objects often found in rural areas, such as animals, boulders, or trees that may cross their path.

A rollover is considered one of the most dangerous motor vehicle accidents a person can be involved in due to the physical toll it takes on not only the vehicle but also the occupants inside. As a vehicle flips and rolls over, its occupants are at risk of being ejected and also sustaining injuries from objects or other passengers inside the cabin. Victims of rollover accidents have reported injuries including but not limited to:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Broken bones and fractures
• Deep cuts and lacerations
• Road rash and severe burns

These injuries are debilitating and often require surgery as well as intense physical therapy for victims to recover; but even with such treatment, returning to life as normal is not guaranteed for survivors.

Corpus Christi Rollover Accident Attorneys

Rollover accidents can occur in any type of vehicle on any road. A rollover accident is a traumatic experience with the potential to inflict life-altering injuries. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a rollover accident in Corpus Christi, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced trial attorney like John Flood can offer needed guidance and support to navigate complex legal matters associated. There is limited time to act following your accident in Texas, so don’t delay in contacting John Flood to get started. Call (361) 654-8877 today for a free initial case evaluation. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Rollover Accidents

What happens to your body in a rollover accident?

If you are in a rollover accident, your body will go wherever the vehicle goes. As the vehicle rolls, you and any other passengers will be tossed around the car, impacting a variety of objects before the car stops moving. A rollover accident causes all of the energy generated by a car crash to toss the vehicle around, which can devastate the human body.

Can you survive a rollover crash?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 7,600 people in the U.S. suffer fatal injuries in rollover crashes. In recent years, this number has accounted for 35 percent of reported traffic fatalities, despite the fact that only two percent of motor vehicle accidents are classified as rollover accidents. It is possible to survive a rollover crash, but even if you do, you could get hit by oncoming traffic in the aftermath. If you can move out of the way, get yourself off of the road an onto the shoulder as far from traffic as possible and call for help.

What is the number one cause of death in a rollover crash?

The top cause of death in a rollover crash is roof crush. When a roof crushes in a rollover, the space left for the vehicle occupants decreases or can even be eliminated, which can cause the driver and passengers to get catastrophically injured and even killed. Experts estimate as many as half of all seriously injured ejected occupants were initially injured because of roof crush.

What is the most common cause of rollover accidents?

The most common causes of rollover accidents include:

• Excessive speed
• Drug or alcohol use
• Vehicle defects
• Tire problems
• Risky maneuvers
• Roadway hazards
• Vehicles having a high center of gravity

What vehicles have the highest rate of rollover accidents?

Taller vehicles, like pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans, have a higher center of gravity that increases their risk of being involved in rollover accidents. According to NHTSA, 52% of passenger van accidents involve rollovers, compared to 33% of other passenger vehicle crashes. Compared to other vehicles, SUVs have the highest rollover rate, over four times greater than a standard vehicle.