What Causes a Rollover Accident?

Investigating the cause of your rollover accident is an important initial step of our representation. We can look into every avenue to find evidence of what happened and why it was not your fault. Proving the cause can help place the liability fully and fairly on the other involved party, even if that party is not another motorist.

Five of the most common causes of rollover accidents are:

  • T-bone collisions: When a vehicle hits the side of another vehicle, especially at a high rate of speed, it causes a T-bone collision. The impact at such an angle can be enough to easily flip even larger, heavier vehicles.
  • Poor vehicle design: Many rollover accidents are caused by poor vehicle design, such as SUVs that are top-heavy and prone to tipping. If a bad vehicle design contributed to your rollover accident, then we can discuss the option of filing a claim against the automaker.
  • Overloaded truck trailers: Commercial trucks that haul tall trailers full of cargo can be at risk of tipping over if the trailer becomes overloaded. Too much weight toward the top can make the trailer top-heavy. Even a strong wind can push a top-heavy big rig over.
  • Inclement weather: When the weather is harsh like snow or hail, the risk of rolling over in an accident can go up significantly. If bad weather caused your rollover accident, then we can see if poor roadway design contributed to it, which could make a local transportation department liable.
  • Reckless driving: A reckless driver can cause other motorists to roll over. For example, a driver who is forced to swerve to miss another driver who is about to hit them might accidentally flip their own car.

Injuries Caused by Rollover Accidents

As mentioned, passenger vehicles are not designed to protect motorists in a rollover. The top can crumple entirely if the vehicle flips, putting everyone inside the vehicle in danger. We can work on rollover accident cases that involve all sorts of accidents because we have extensive experience with catastrophic injury cases.

Rollover accident victims can suffer these injuries and more:

  • Head injuries: As a car rolls over, one of the worst injuries that can happen is a head or brain injury. A blow to the head can cause immediate and permanent damage. Cars without side airbags might have no protective equipment at all to prevent a head injury.
  • Back injuries: While being rocked around in a rolling vehicle, your back can feel the worst of it. Lower back injuries and lingering back pain are common after a rollover accident. To reduce this risk, it is important to always buckle up.
  • Bone fractures: Particularly violent rollover accidents can result in multiple broken bones, especially if the victim was firmly braced during the crash.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: People who have survived a rollover accident are often traumatized by the event and how disorienting it was. If you have PTSD symptoms from the rollover accident, then please let us know about it. Your case’s value could increase. Learn more about how you can get PTSD from a car accident from our article we created.

How Our Attorneys Can Help with Your Claim

The Indianapolis rollover accident attorneys of Christie Farrell Lee & Bell are ready to help you with all aspects of your case. From start to finish, you can depend on us to handle everything. Meanwhile, you should just focus on your health and get some rest.

Let us help with your claim by:

  • Investigating your accident
  • Calculating your damages
  • Determining liability
  • Filing a claim or lawsuit
  • Negotiating for a settlement
  • Litigating in court if needed

Contact Our Firm Now to Learn More

Ready to start a claim after a rollover accident in Indianapolis? We are ready to help you however we can. Please reach out to our firm to schedule a free initial consultation. Let us help you pursue full compensation, just like you deserve.

Call 317-488-5500 to discuss your case. Seriously injury cases are all we do!

Rollover Accident FAQ

  • Is it safe to remove someone from a flipped vehicle?
    Typically, paramedics and EMTs advise that people in a rollover accident be removed from the vehicle quickly if possible. If there is a fuel leak, the car could ignite, so leaving someone inside the car is not safe. However, if you were pulled from your vehicle after it flipped and you think that might have worsened your injuries, then you should let our attorneys know.
  • Can I file a lawsuit if my loved one passed away in a rollover accident?
    If you lost a loved one in a rollover accident, then you can still pursue justice and compensation, except you will file a wrongful death claim in their name. The damages in this claim will be different but will still focus on bringing you financial stability and a sense of closure.
  • Do airbags deploy in a rollover?
    Front airbags might not deploy in a rollover due to the force of the impact coming from the wrong direction. If a vehicle has side airbags, then they should deploy in a rollover. If no airbags deployed in your vehicle when it rolled, then it could be a sign of a manufacturing defect.
  • Are SUVs more likely to roll over?
    A sports utility vehicle or SUV is susceptible to rolling when compared to the average sedan or compact vehicle. The problem with some SUVs is that the center of gravity is so far off the ground that it becomes prone to tipping and rolling when turning at high speeds or in a crash. When an SUV is designed so poorly that rolling over becomes a frequent problem, the automaker could be held liable for damages.