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Rollover Accident Attorney in Roanoke

At Lichtenstein Law Group PLC, we understand the terrible toll a rollover accident can take on victims’ lives. Many of these crashes result in painful injuries, sky-high medical bills, totaled vehicles, and potential long-term consequences for survivors. You could be entitled to compensation if you suffered injuries in a Roanoke rollover accident and someone else is to blame.

Virginia’s laws for recovering money after a car accident are some of the harshest in the country. Recovering compensation means proving another party was 100 percent responsible for the wreck. You need solid evidence and an advocate who can demand accountability after what you’ve endured. Get a Roanoke rollover accident lawyer from Lichtenstein Law Group PLC on your side.

With almost 100 years of combined legal experience, our rollover accident attorneys have the knowledge and skills to handle the most complex cases. We are ready to fight as hard as it takes to deliver the compensation you deserve, even if that means taking your case to trial.

Ready to learn your legal options? Contact us today for a free consultation.

What is a Rollover Accident?

A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle overturns onto its side or roof, sometimes tumbling over multiple times before stopping. Rollover accidents can result in life-changing and potentially fatal injuries to vehicle occupants who get tossed around the cabin or even ejected from the car.

Rollover accidents often happen when a vehicle is suddenly thrown off balance. Every car runs the risk of rolling over, but vehicles with a higher center of gravity, such as SUVs and trucks, have a higher risk of overturning.

What Are Some Common Causes of Rollover Accidents?

While many different factors can cause a vehicle to overturn, some of the most common causes of rollover accidents include:

  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving, including excessive speeding, street racing, or swerving in and out of traffic
  • Tailgating
  • Unsafe lane changes, including failing to signal or check mirrors
  • Drowsy/fatigued driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Distracted driving
  • Defective or poorly maintained tires, brakes, and wheels
  • Turning too quickly
  • Road hazards such as potholes, debris, or black ice
  • Unsafe or overweight cargo loads,
  • Unbalanced or unsecured loads

What is the Difference Between a Tripped and Untripped Rollover?

Rollover accidents can be either tripped or untripped. A tripped rollover means an external object caused the vehicle to flip over. For example, a pothole, roadway debris, street curb, or another vehicle can “trip” a car and cause it to roll over. A tripped rollover can also occur due to a tire blowout or wheel failure. Most rollover accidents are tripped.

In an untripped rollover, no external object causes the vehicle to flip over. Instead, an untripped rollover occurs solely due to extreme forces on the car that cause it to roll over, such as swerving rapidly or speeding around a tight corner. A Roanoke rollover accident lawyer can help.

Are Some Vehicles More Prone to Rollovers?

Tall and narrow vehicles have a greater risk of rolling over. Top-heavy vehicles have higher centers of gravity than smaller passenger cars, decreasing their stability and increasing their susceptibility to flip when the center of gravity shifts, especially at high speeds. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that while rollovers accounted for 21 percent of car occupant deaths, those numbers climbed to 40 percent for pickup occupant deaths and 38 percent for SUV occupant deaths.

What Types of Injuries Happen in a Rollover Accident?

Rollover accidents can cause severe injuries, such as:

  • Lacerations and abrasions
  • Broken bones
  • Dislocated joints
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Nerve damage
  • Spinal injuries, including herniated discs or spinal cord injury
  • Facial injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding

Are There Precautions That Help Avoid a Rollover?

Follow these tips to reduce the risk of a rollover accident:

  • Purchase vehicles with modern safety systems, including antilock brakes and electronic stability control.
  • Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure. Check your tires at least once a month and add air as necessary. Replace worn or damaged tires since this increases the risk of a blowout or tread separation.
  • Avoid overloading your vehicle with cargo, especially when placing items on top of the car. Place heavier cargo towards the bottom.
  • Learn how to recover from a skid, which differs depending on whether your vehicle is a front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel/four-wheel drive and has antilock brakes.
  • Watch for hazards that can trigger a rollover, such as debris, potholes, or black ice.
  • Don’t speed. Slow down when taking tight curves or when driving in adverse road/weather conditions.
  • Avoid turning the steering wheel sharply since this can cause a vehicle to skid and roll over.

Will Auto Insurance Cover a Rollover Accident?

Whether auto insurance covers a rollover depends on what caused the accident. For example, if another driver hits your vehicle and causes a rollover, you may have a claim against their liability policy. If a defective or faulty auto part caused the rollover, the company that manufactured, serviced, or modified that component could be liable for your injuries. But if you’re ultimately responsible for the rollover accident, you would need to turn to your insurance company for compensation through your collision/comprehensive coverage or MedPay, if you purchased it. Our Roanoke car accident lawyers can help.

What Compensation Can I Recover if the Other Driver Caused the Rollover?

If another driver is at fault for the rollover that injured you, they could owe you compensation for losses like:

  • Medical bills
  • Rehabilitation expenses
  • Long-term care expenses, if you suffer permanent disabilities
  • Lost wages
  • Reducing earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Reduced quality of life caused by disabilities or permanent disfigurement/scarring
  • Vehicle repairs or replacement costs

Contact a Roanoke Rollover Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a rollover accident someone else caused, let a Roanoke rollover accident lawyer fight for your right to compensation. Contact Lichtenstein Law Group PLC today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about the claims process and how we can help. Roanoke personal injury lawyer.