From simple fender-benders to head-on collisions, all types of traffic accidents can have serious consequences for those involved, but some of the most devastating accidents in Orange County involve vehicle rollovers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 280,000 rollover accidents reported each year in the United States, resulting in more than 10,000 traffic fatalities annually. Aside from head-on collisions, vehicle rollovers may be the worst-case scenario when it comes to being involved in a traffic accident. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a vehicle rollover accident in Orange County, don’t hesitate to secure qualified legal representation. Contact our personal injury lawyers at DAG Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Affordable Orange County Rollover Accident Attorney
Vehicle rollover accidents are relatively uncommon, but when they do occur, the resulting injuries are often deadly, because in normal passenger vehicles, the roof is likely to cave in towards the occupants and cause serious head injuries. In one recent rollover accident that took place in March 2018, two Orange County teens riding in a car packed with seven people were killed when the car veered off the road, struck a cement post and slammed into the back of a parked moving van. The impact with the van caused the car to roll over, trapping the occupants inside the vehicle and killing two of the seven passengers. The consequences of a vehicle rollover accident can be devastating for victims and their loved ones, particularly if the accident is fatal, and by hiring an attorney to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, you can significantly improve your chances of recovering damages. Our personal injury attorneys at DAG Law Firm are committed to defending victims of rollover accidents in Orange County and will fight for your right to adequate compensation.
Injuries Resulting from an Orange County Rollover Accident
Any type of car accident can cause vehicle occupants to suffer serious, long-lasting injuries, but rollovers are particularly devastating, due to the violent nature of this type of accident. When a vehicle becomes unstable and rolls over onto its side or roof, vehicle occupants may sustain injuries from impact with unsecured cargo, contact with torn metal or broken glass, impact with another vehicle or obstacle, or from being tossed around inside the vehicle. Victims of rollover accidents may also suffer crush injuries from the roof collapsing and caving in or may be ejected from the vehicle as it’s rolling and impact the pavement or another object on the roadway. After rolling over, the vehicle may end up on its side or roof, which may block the doors and prevent passengers from escaping. Some common injuries resulting from Orange County rollover accidents include:
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injury
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations and bruises
- Head injury
- Concussion
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck injury
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
Common Types of Rollover Accidents
There are two main types of rollover accidents: tripped and un-tripped. According to the NHTSA, 95% of single-vehicle rollover accidents occur when the vehicle is “tripped,” meaning the vehicle slides off the roadway and the tires encounter a soft surface or an external object that puts force on the tires, causing the vehicle to overturn. Un-tripped rollover accidents, on the other hand, typically occur when a top-heavy vehicle is traveling at high speeds. Although any vehicle can be involved in a rollover accident, research shows that taller, narrower vehicles like vans and SUVs have a higher center of gravity and are therefore more vulnerable to rollovers. Any of the following factors can contribute to a deadly vehicle rollover:
- Braking too quickly
- Driving at high speeds
- Making sharp turns
- Overloaded cargo holders
- Distracted driving
- Uneven pavement
- Soft road shoulders
- Changing lanes in an unsafe manner
- Making reckless maneuvers
- Hazardous road conditions
- Inclement weather
- Unmarked curves
- Overcorrecting when trying to avoid an obstacle
Determining Liability in Orange County Rollover Accidents
Although a large percentage of rollover accidents are single-vehicle accidents, meaning no other vehicle was involved in the wreck, that doesn’t always mean that the driver whose vehicle rolled over is at fault for the accident. There are other factors that may come into play when determining liability in an Orange County rollover accident. For example, if a commercial truck traveling towards you crosses the center line, causing you to swerve off the roadway onto the shoulder and roll over, the truck driver may be liable for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may also be able to file a claim against the company that employs the truck driver and the truck manufacturer, if a defect in the design of the truck contributed to the accident.
The high rate of serious injuries and fatalities caused by rollover accidents in the United States has not gone unnoticed. Car manufacturers are implementing new safety features in their vehicles, like electronic stability control, and safety advocates are helping to reduce the rate of car accident injuries by improving driver safety and encouraging regular seatbelt use. However, there is little that can be done about driver negligence except to try to make motorists understand how significantly their carelessness behind the wheel can impact another person’s life. In terms of a vehicle rollover accident, negligence means careless or reckless conduct behind the wheel that results in harm or damage to another person. A driver whose negligence causes a rollover accident may be liable for injuring the accident victim.
Seeking Compensation for Rollover Accident Injuries
Following an Orange County rollover accident, it’s important that you move quickly to collect the compensation you deserve for your injuries and related medical expenses without letting too much time pass. The other driver’s insurance company may be quick to offer a low-ball settlement in hopes that you accept their offer and they can close the case quickly and for as little money as possible. With the help of a qualified Orange County accident attorney, you can ensure that you recover the compensation you deserve from the at-fault party, whether it’s through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. After suffering injuries in a vehicle rollover accident in Orange County, you can pursue compensation for damages that include:
- Medical bills
- Hospital stay
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Wrongful death
No amount of money can reverse your accident injuries or bring back a loved one who was killed in a rollover accident, but recovering damages from the at-fault party can go a long way towards helping you and your loved ones begin the healing process.
Free Rollover Accident Consultation in Orange County
Rollover accidents are among the most dangerous type of traffic accidents in Orange County and across the country. In fact, while vehicle rollovers occur in only about three percent of all traffic accidents in the United States, they account for about 30% of fatalities involving passenger vehicles. In Orange County alone, there are an average of 20 rollover accident deaths every year, and statewide in California, there are nearly 800. If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a vehicle rollover accident in Orange County, contact our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at DAG Law Firm today for legal help. Our attorneys have extensive experience protecting the rights of rollover accident victims in Orange County and can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve for your losses.
