Representation After a Vehicle Rollover

Have you experienced a rollover accident? A rollover occurs when a vehicle turns over onto its side or roof. It may even roll several times before coming to a stop. A rollover accident is terrifying, traumatic, and often deadly. Even when using seat belts or other safety features, the occupants of the vehicle may suffer a number of serious injuries. Vehicle rollovers are involved in about 3 percent of motor vehicle crashes, but they account for about 30 percent of motor vehicle accident fatalities. According to the United States Department of Transportation’s 2016 fatal traffic crash data, multi-vehicle rollover fatalities increased 9.1 percent over the previous year.

With more than 30 years of experience dealing with car accident cases in Boulder, Colorado, the Tenge Law Firm, LLC has achieved results for numerous victims of rollover accidents. If you have been injured in a rollover accident, the dedicated attorneys at the Tenge Law Firm, LLC can assess your case, explain your legal options, and protect your rights.

Common Rollover Injuries

A rollover accident usually involves multiple points of impact. Therefore, a victim’s injuries may be severe, permanent, or even fatal. Such injuries often require extensive and long-term treatment, such as surgeries and therapies. If you do not seek treatment promptly, your injuries may worsen, or your recovery may be delayed.

Common injuries in a rollover accident include:

Determining Fault in a Rollover Accident

Determining who may be at fault in a rollover accident is important, but often challenging. There may be more than one cause for the accident. Your accident may have been caused by a negligent driver, road hazards, or problems with a vehicle.

In the case of driver negligence, you may have a case against the other driver. If product liability is at fault, you may sue a manufacturer or distributor of the product or vehicle. Rollovers have become increasingly common in recent years, partly due to different types of vehicles on the road. Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), vans, and lightweight trucks have become popular vehicles for many Americans. They are, however, often more likely to roll over because their center of gravity is higher compared to the average car. Hazardous, poorly maintained roads, or dangerous conditions such as potholes or uneven pavement may also lead to an accident. Even speed limits that are set too high on dangerous curves are a risk. Government entities or contractors that are responsible for keeping the roads safe can be held responsible for their actions.

Rollovers are usually referred to as either “tripped” or “untripped.” When external forces, such as a guardrail, steep slope, or a collision with another vehicle are involved, the accident is considered a tripped rollover. Untripped rollovers are far less common than tripped rollovers, happening less than 5 percent of the time. These are often due to steering errors, road friction, or speeding. Untripped rollovers frequently happen because of collision avoidance maneuvers.

Common causes of rollover accidents that may lead to a claim include:

  • Defects in the design and/or manufacture of the vehicle
  • Brake malfunctions
  • Failed tires
  • Defective tire treads
  • You were not warned about vehicle or tire defects
  • The roof of the vehicle should have had roll bars or roll cages to keep the roof stable in the event of a rollover
  • Driver negligence, due to actions like texting, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or recklessly speeding and swerving.
  • Overloaded vehicles
  • Load shifts in trucks
  • Unexpected road hazards
  • Poor road maintenance
  • Weather conditions

Types of Damages Recoverable as the Result of a Rollover Accident

The costs of a rollover accident can be enormous. The bills pile up fast. A victim may need medical care for the rest of his or her life. Seriously injured persons may find themselves unable to work and support their family. If the accident was fatal, the victim’s family might be faced with funeral bills, as well as emotional costs. The nature of the crash and the damage it causes will often determine the compensation received. An accident victim may be eligible for damages including, but not limited to:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Past and future lost earnings
  • Loss of consortium
  • Pain and suffering
  • Funeral and burial expenses

What to Do After a Rollover Accident

You may be injured or traumatized following a rollover accident. If possible, however, it is important to take some basic steps:

  • Seek medical attention right away. Even if you think you have not been injured, some injuries do not appear until later. You may not feel pain right away because of shock and adrenaline. Failure to seek prompt medical treatment may affect your recovery.
  • Contact the police. If you are able, gather contact information and take photos.
  • Do not make a statement or admit fault.
  • Do not sign a release or other legal document without speaking to a qualified attorney.

What Will it Cost to Hire a Boulder Rollover Accident Attorney?

The Tenge Law Firm, LLC offers a free initial consultation. We represent rollover accident victims on a contingent fee basis: this means we only collect attorney fees in the event you receive a settlement or judgment.

Motor vehicle accidents are often complicated. However, rollover accidents tend to be more severe, so the stakes tend to be accordingly higher. In 2010 there were almost 9.1 million crashes involving cars, SUVs, vans, and pickups. Of these, only 2.1 percent were rollover accidents, but they accounted for nearly 35 percent of all deaths from passenger vehicle accidents.

It will take significant time and effort to recover from your accident; let us handle the legal details while you focus on recovery. Our skilled and compassionate attorneys can assess your claim and advise you on your legal options following a rollover accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle rollover accident, contact us today. Call our office at (303) 665-2929, or contact the Tenge Law Firm, LLC online.