May 18, 2021 | Car Accident
A motor vehicle accident can cause significant damages, including property damage, physical injuries, economic damages, and pain & suffering. Any type of automobile crash has the potential for causing a fatality or severe injury. However, certain types of crashes have a higher risk of severe injuries and life-threatening conditions.
Rollover accidents have a high potential for catastrophic injuries and death due to the nature of the collision. Victims of rollover accidents often sustain multiple injuries. Many victims sustain permanent impairments and disabilities.
What Causes a Rollover Accident?
Many different scenarios could lead to a rollover accident.
Some common scenarios that could result in a vehicle rolling over include:
- A trip-over occurs when the vehicle is suddenly stopped or slowed and rolls over
- Flip-overs occur when the vehicle is rotated by a ramp-like object, such as a turned down guardrail
- A bounce-over accident is the result of a vehicle hitting a fixed object and then overturning after rebounding off the object
- Sharp turns or vehicle rotation can cause a turn-over accident
- Climb-over accidents occur when the vehicle climbs up and over an object, such as a barrier or guardrail, and is lifted entirely off the ground
- End-over-end accidents generally occur when the vehicle strikes an object causing it to roll over on its lateral axis
- Collisions with other vehicles can also cause a rollover crash
Many factors can contribute to the cause of a rollover accident. Tire blowouts, overloaded commercial vehicles, road conditions, and driver error can play a role in rollover accidents as well.
Vehicles with a high center of gravity are more prone to rollover crashes. Speed is often a significant factor in such wrecks. The faster the vehicle is traveling, the more force the vehicle has to turn over.
What Happens to Your Body During a Rollover Crash?
Several different things can happen to your body when a vehicle rolls over. Many deaths from rollover crashes involve individuals who were not wearing their seatbelt. If you are not wearing a seatbelt, you can be thrown around the interior of the vehicle. You can also be ejected from the vehicle.
The more your body moves within the interior, the more chance you can sustain multiple injuries from blunt force trauma. You could sustain broken bones, spinal cord injuries, broken back, traumatic brain injuries, and internal organ damage. If you are thrown from the vehicle during a rollover crash, you could be crushed by the vehicle or slammed into another object.
Some individuals sustain injuries because their seatbelt disengages during the rollover accident.
Objects within the vehicle may slam into you with great force, even if your seatbelt prevents your body from moving from the seat. The blunt force trauma caused by these objects could result in significant injuries.
As the vehicle rolls over, windows break, and doors may be ripped off the vehicle. You may sustain deep puncture wounds and lacerations from the glass. Your arms, head, legs, and side could slam against the pavement or ground as the car rolls over.
The force of rollover over can result in cabin intrusion. Cabin intrusion is when the metal frame of the vehicle bends into the interior of the vehicle. You could be pinned or crushed.
Today, vehicles are constructed to reduce crumpling and cabin intrusion in a rollover accident. Curtain airbags can provide additional protection as the vehicle rolls over. Sadly, advances in technology do not prevent all deaths and injuries caused by rollover crashes.
Common Injuries Sustained by Victims in Rollover Crashes
During a rollover accident, you may sustain multiple injuries.
Some of the common injuries a victim might sustain when a vehicle rolls over include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including skull fractures
- Multiple broken bones and fractures
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Spinal cord injuries, which could result in paralysis
- Damage to internal organs and internal bleeding
- Severe neck and back injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement from lacerations caused by torn metal, broken glass, and debris
The types of damages caused by a rollover accident vary. However, the economic damages can be significant. If a person sustains a permanent impairment, they may be unable to work and require constant care for the rest of their life. Victims of a rollover accident may require multiple surgeries, extensive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation.
Victims may also sustain non-economic damages. Physical pain, decreased quality of life, emotional distress, and mental anguish can be overwhelming for an accident victim.
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer for a Rollover Accident Claim?
The person who caused the rollover accident can be held financially liable for your injuries and damages. Filing a personal injury claim as soon as possible protects your right to fair and just compensation for your damages.
It is in your best interest to talk with a car accident lawyer about your legal options and rights if you suffered traumatic injuries, have significant financial damages, or the other party is denying liability for the accident. Waiting to seek legal advice about your case could result in losing your right to pursue the at-fault party.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Lexington Today To Get More Information
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please call Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC
325 W Main St #210, Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 550-2900