A car rollover accident can cause severe injuries to vehicle drivers and passengers. Certain vehicle types, such as SUVs, roll over more easily due to their high center of gravity. However, any vehicle, from passenger cars to semi-trucks, can experience a rollover crash.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rollover crash, you could have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. Knowing what to do after a car rollover accident can help you protect your health and legal rights. A skilled car accident attorney can help.
What Is a Rollover?
A car rollover accident occurs when a vehicle overturns onto its side or roof. Rollovers can happen when a top-heavy vehicle takes a corner too fast, or a car hits a tire and flips. Car rollover crashes are among the most dangerous types of crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that approximately 30% of all vehicle occupant fatalities are due to fatal rollovers, especially for occupants not wearing seat belts. Victims are also more likely to suffer severe injuries. Common types of serious rollover injuries include traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
Common Reasons for a Vehicle Rollover
Tripped rollovers occur when an object in the road goes under the vehicle and “trips” it. They are often single-vehicle crashes that result from objects on the road. For example, a wheel coming off a truck and flipping a car could be considered a tripped rollover.
In untripped rollovers, a driver involved in a rollover motor vehicle accident loses control of the vehicle due to:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Inattentive driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Poor road conditions
- Inclement weather
A common cause of untripped rollovers is drivers failing to adhere to speed limits. Vehicles with a high center of gravity may flip when taking a corner or curve too quickly. While many modern vehicles are equipped with electronic stability control, an aging vehicle population means that many top-heavy vehicles are still at risk of rollovers.
Steps To Take After a Rollover Accident
If you are in a rollover accident, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. Take these steps to safeguard your health, safety, and legal rights.
1. Prioritize Your Safety and Assess Your Injuries
Your health and safety are paramount after a flipped car accident. Assess your injuries to determine whether it is safe to move. Use first aid to staunch bleeding and keep movement minimal if you suffer back, neck, or head injuries.
Avoid moving anyone who is injured and unable to move themselves from the flipped-over car. You could inadvertently make their injuries worse. Administer first aid and await emergency assistance.
2. Exit the Vehicle and Move to a Secure Location
If you can, exit the vehicle and move a safe distance away. If your car flipped over, it can pose a risk of fire or explosion, so try to move at least 100 feet away. If the car overturned on a busy roadway, remove yourself from the road and any high-traffic areas. Remain near the accident scene and visible so first responders can find you and render aid.
3. Dial 911 for Medical Assistance and a Police Presence
Call 911 to request emergency medical assistance and a police officer. While emergency medical providers assess your condition, the responding officer will take down the accident details to prepare an accident report.
4. Exchange Details With Others Involved and Gather Witness Contacts
The responding officer may facilitate the exchange of contact information and insurance details from those involved in the accident. They may also record witness contact information to include in their accident report. If the police do not provide this information, gather this information yourself.
Contact details and insurance information are crucial for filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. You do not need to take witness statements immediately. Simply collect their contact information and allow your attorney to reach out for statements later.
5. Gather All Available Evidence
Evidence from a rollover accident can deteriorate quickly, especially if it is on a busy highway. Responding officers may begin clearing the roadway for traffic, which can alter crucial evidence.
If you can do so safely, take photos or video of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, points of contact, and final vehicle resting positions. Photograph skid marks, obstacles in the road, and damaged items like guard rails and bollards that can help your attorney piece together the accident’s progression.
6. Report the Incident to Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company to report the accident as soon as you can. They will ask for details about the other drivers involved and an account of the accident. Although they are your insurance company, remember they are motivated to pay as little as possible in any claim.
Avoid these common pitfalls when reporting a rollover crash to your insurance company:
- Avoid claiming fault.
- Avoid pointing fingers or casting blame.
- Avoid saying “I’m OK” or “I’m fine.”
- Avoid discussing prior injuries or medical history.
Your insurance adjuster may seem friendly, but they will use anything you say to reduce your claim value. Keep your statement strictly factual and avoid making guesses about why the vehicle overturned. Consult with a personal injury attorney before you sign anything or make an official statement.
Explore Your Legal Options With a Personal Injury Attorney
Rollover accidents are incredibly traumatic. They can leave you with significant injuries that require years of rehabilitation and recovery. In some cases, you could suffer permanent injuries that prevent you from working or performing regular activities.
Medical expenses and regular bills can mount while you work to recover from your injuries. If your rollover accident was due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay for the consequences.
A personal injury attorney with Sands Law can help you understand your legal rights following a rollover accident. Our compassionate car accident lawyers know how to defend your legal right to fair compensation against even the most stubborn insurance companies.
Contact our motor vehicle accident lawyers today to discuss your legal options during a free case review.
Conclusion
Recover more compensation. Save time. Worry less. Leave it to the experts at Sands Law to help you. It’s what we’re here for.
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