Rollover accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes. When a car flips over, its side and roof can be crushed, potentially causing serious and fatal injuries to vehicle occupants. Survivors of rollover accidents often face hefty medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial and personal losses while they heal. If someone else is to blame for the crash, compensation could be possible. 

Were you hurt in an Alabama rollover accident? Reach out to a Montgomery car accident lawyer at Stokes Stemle, LLC today. Our law firm takes a personalized approach to working with clients. We’ll take the time to get to know you and build a tailored strategy aimed at securing the results you deserve. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

What Is a Rollover Accident?

A rollover car accident occurs when a vehicle either tips over onto its side, flips onto its roof, or flips over multiple times before eventually coming to rest. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollovers account for about 30 percent of all passenger vehicle accident fatalities.

Rollover crashes involve every vehicle type but are most common with SUVs, pickup trucks, and other passenger vehicles. SUVs are particularly prone to rollovers because they have a high center of gravity compared to other cars, making them more unstable. 

What Causes Rollover Accidents? 

Some of the most common causes of rollover accidents include: 

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Overcorrecting or turning too sharply
  • Aggressive driving, including racing or weaving in and out of traffic.
  • Collision with other vehicles
  • Collisions with road debris, curbs, or potholes
  • Road departures
  • Striking fixed objects 
  • Unsafe vehicle design 
  • Unsafe loading of cargo on top of a vehicle
  • Defective vehicle parts or software
  • Bad weather
  • Unsafe road design 
  • Poor lighting

Common Injuries in Rollover Accidents

When a car rolls over, both its sides and roof are impacted. These areas of the vehicle offer passengers less protection than the front or rear of a car. For this reason, rollovers can result in severe injuries, especially for those not wearing a seat belt. 

Common rollover accident injuries include:

Because victims of rollovers often suffer catastrophic injuries, it’s critical to contact an experienced car accident lawyer right away. Even if the crash only involved one vehicle, another party could be to blame. Working with a personal injury attorney who can investigate the accident, determine liability, and pursue maximum compensation can help injury victims establish a more secure financial future. 

What Should I Do After a Rollover Accident?

Being involved in a rollover crash can be a traumatizing experience. You may be in shock in the immediate moments following the wreck and not know what to do. Follow these steps to protect yourself and your interests:  

  • Call 911 and wait for first responders to arrive. Law enforcement officers will create an accident report that contains important details about the rollover, including an initial determination of fault. You will need to obtain a copy of this report later as part of your personal injury claim. 
  • Take photos of the accident scene. Include pictures of your vehicle and other vehicles involved in the accident, the condition of the roadway, and any injuries you suffered.
  • Seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you don’t need immediate medical treatment, see a doctor right away. You could still have a serious injury. Seeing a doctor also shows the insurance company you did everything possible to prevent your injuries from worsening. It also creates an official medical record linking your injuries to the rollover accident. 
  • Follow all treatment recommendations. Listen to your health care provider’s instructions. Failure to adhere to your treatment regimen could be used against you when you seek compensation for your injuries.  
  • Keep copies of bills and invoices for medical treatment and other accident-related expenses. If you miss work, keep copies of your pay stubs or income statements.
  • Document your recovery in a pain diary. Describe your level of physical pain each day and detail how your injuries impact your quality of life.
  • If you were involved in a single-vehicle rollover, get your vehicle inspected for any potential defects. If a design or manufacturing flaw caused the car to roll over, you could have a legal claim against the automaker or parts manufacturer. 
  • Keep the accident off social media. Avoid posting photos or videos of yourself on social media. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may monitor your social media accounts for any posts they can use as evidence against you. 
  • Contact an experienced rollover accident attorney. A good personal injury attorney can communicate with the insurance company for you and fight for maximum compensation for your injuries.

Rollover Car Accident Statistics in Alabama

According to nationwide statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 6,300 U.S. motorists died in rollovers in a recent year. In nearly three-quarters of those crashes, the vehicles struck something else, such as another car or fixed object, before flipping over.

Closer to home, the most current data available from the Alabama Department of Transportation reports 1,424 accidents were initially caused by a vehicle overturning in a recent year. Though rollover car accidents represented just 0.9 percent of all crashes, they accounted for 954 injuries and 41 traffic fatalities.

Contact an Experienced Rollover Accident Lawyer in Montgomery, AL Today

If you were injured in a rollover accident in Montgomery, AL, contact Stokes Stemle, LLC to learn how a knowledgeable rollover accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence. Contact us today for a free case review.