Roller accidents occur when vehicles roll onto their side or top during an accident. Rollover accidents are rare—the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that only 2.1% of the nearly 9.1 million passenger car, SUV, pickup, and van crashes in 2010 involved a rollover—because manufacturers design most vehicles to prevent them. It takes a lot of force to flip a car over, and most accidents do not apply the amount of force necessary to flip a car.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a rollover accident, you may want to contact a lawyer to see what your legal options are. If another driver caused the accident, then you may be able to seek compensation for the accident. It could be worth your while to consult a Los Angeles rollover accident lawyer to see if you have a case. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to speak with our legal team for free.
Causes of Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents happen for a variety of reasons, all of which force the vehicle to spin vertically and end up on its top or side. The causes of rollover accidents include:
- Speeding: The NHTSA found that nearly 40% of fatal rollover crashes involved excessive speeding. Speeding can lead to a rollover if the vehicle is traveling too quickly for all the wheels to stay on the road during turns or in slippery conditions if the vehicle slides and turns sideways. The friction of the sideways tires can flip a vehicle at high speeds.
- Uneven roads: Roads with large variations in the surface of the roadway can cause one side of the car to drop or rise above the other at high speed, leading to a rollover.
- Tire blowouts: Having a tire blowout at high speed can cause a car to start to roll either from the force of the tire popping or the added friction from the deflated tire or rim hitting the ground.
- Tire falls off: Improver installation of a tire can lead to the nuts coming off. The tire will work itself loose and the rim will strike the ground, causing the car to drag and possibly flip.
- Collisions: Any vehicle can roll over if hit from the side at high speed. Occasionally, rollovers happen when a car rear-ends another with one side of the car. Sideswipes can also cause rollovers.
- Uneven or top-heavy loads: Vehicles are designed to be bottom-heavy to keep all the wheels on the ground. Loads that are too far to one side or make the vehicle top-heavy can cause the vehicle to flip at highway speeds.
- Oversized loads: Trucks carrying loads that are larger than their flatbeds often have balance problems. They are both top-heavy and unbalanced, making them more likely to roll over.
- Sharp turns: Sharp turns taken too fast can cause a car to roll. Most turns on high-speed roads are marked with lower speed limits for this reason.
- Snow/sandhills: Snow and sand can build up on roads to create hills, which can cause one side of a car to lift off the ground, potentially causing a rollover.
- Car pileups: Multicar pileups can have multiple impacts per car, significantly raising the chances of a car being hit on the side or traveling up and over another vehicle when hit, which can result in a rollover.
There are many other rollover causes not covered on this list. Rollovers are serious accidents. If you are in one, seek medical attention for everyone involved as soon as possible. Even if you do not feel injured, seek treatment. Many injuries do not appear immediately, and the records from your care provider can be used as evidence in potential legal action later. You can call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free no-obligation consultation with a team member, who can help you determine what records to save for later use.
Reasons to Hire a Los Angeles Rollover Accident Lawyer
If you are in an accident involving a rollover, it is important to seek medical attention prior to deciding whether to pursue advice from a lawyer. You will likely have extensive expenses after the accident, which is especially true in the rollover of heavy commercial vehicles where damage is more extensive. You may be able to collect compensation that will help with the added expenses if another driver is responsible for your damages.
A Los Angeles rollover accident lawyer can help you develop a case and file before the statute of limitations expires. There is a timeframe that starts the day that the accident happens during which you can file a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 sets a two-year filing window for personal injury lawsuits, while property damage cases have a three-year limit under California Code of Civil Procedure § 338.
Another reason you might want to hire a lawyer is that a lawyer can negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Most cases never make it to court; they settle out of court early. You could benefit from having a lawyer review any potential settlements before you agree to it. Early settlement offers may not cover your long-term expenses caused by the accident. A lawyer can renegotiate the settlement and ensure that it more accurately fits your needs.
For a free legal consultation with a Rollover Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
When to Seek Legal Action
Rollover accidents do not always require legal action. Whether you seek legal action is a matter of personal preference since it is relatively easy to file a lawsuit in the United States. However, lawsuits can be expensive—especially if the judgment is not in your favor. If you have high expenses as the result of a rollover accident that you were not responsible for, it might be a good idea to hire a lawyer to help you recover compensation.
If your car was not damaged significantly or you do not incur medical expenses because of the accident, then the better option may be to avoid the lawsuit. Before you decide, you may want to consult with a Los Angeles rollover accident lawyer about the case.
Los Angeles Rollover Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation
Rollover accidents can be scary, while dealing with the long-term effects can be financially and emotionally draining. Having a lawyer who can help you through the process can make it easier to manage your case and to recover compensation from the driver at fault. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to speak to our legal team about your case and how we may be able to help you seek compensation. The consultation is free, and we have a team that can guide you through the process.
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