Rollover Accidents

By a large margin, the most common cause of deaths in motor vehicle accidents is rollovers. Smaller and lighter vehicles such as passenger cars are more frequently involved than larger vehicles including SUVs and pickup trucks, because the forces on the occupants in the passenger vehicles are more substantial and there is less structure to prevent serious injuries and death. However, SUVs and pickup trucks are more difficult to control in rollover accidents, and drivers may overcompensate when sensing that they are losing control of the vehicle, with less ability to take evasive maneuvers and avoid the accident.

The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel has significant experience representing the victims of rollover accidents. Our dedicated litigators know that the injuries in rollover accidents are often devastating, physically, financially, and emotionally, for the victims of these accidents and their families. Severe pain and suffering, long-term hospital and medical treatment, overwhelming and frequently long-term medical expenses, loss of employment, loss of earnings and earnings capacity, inability to perform activities of daily living, and loss of enjoyment of life are often the result of the accident. Have you been seriously injured in a rollover accident in Westchester County, White Plains, the upper Hudson Valley, New York, or the surrounding area? If so, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel for a free consultation with a member of my team.

Why Should You Speak to An Attorney After a Rollover Accident?

Injuries suffered in a rollover accident are likely to be more severe than in most other accidents as a result of the forces exerted on the body as the vehicle is flipping over, including shattered bones, disfigurement, burns, paralysis and death. It is essential that you have the services of attorneys who will fight the auto insurance companies and their attorneys from the inception of the case through trial, if necessary, to recover the maximum possible compensation for your physical, emotional and financial damages and expenses.

We conduct an immediate investigation of the accident, secure all possible photographs of the scene, the vehicle(s) involved in the accident, contact and obtain statements from all potential witnesses, hire investigators as necessary, locate additional evidence that may not be immediately available, and retain experts as needed with regard to the causes of the accident and the injuries caused, including biomechanical engineers and medical experts who can attribute various injuries to specific defects in the vehicle, roadway issues or the negligence of other drivers involved in the accident.

What Are Common Rollover Accident Injuries?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2022, 7,418 passengers were killed in passenger vehicle rollovers, with these fatalities accounting for 29% of all passenger vehicle occupant fatalities. While 23% of rollovers weren’t caused by a crash before the rollover, in 77% of instances the passenger vehicle hit another vehicle or another object before the rollover.

Not all rollover accidents involve passenger vehicles. Larger commercial trucks are also at risk of rollovers due to their top-heavy design. Rollovers of tractor trailers and other large vehicles can create multi-vehicle collisions and crushing injuries.

For occupants who survive rollovers, there are a number of serious injuries that can result:

Head Injuries. When a car flips, the head can strike various parts of the vehicle or be subjected to sudden, violent motions. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) resulting from this can lead to long-term cognitive impairment, memory loss, and permanent disability.

Spinal Cord Injuries. Spinal cord injuries can range from fractures to complete paralysis, and the long-term consequences can severely affect the victim’s quality of life and ability to return to their previous work and activities.

Broken Bones. When a vehicle rolls, occupants can experience broken arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis bones.

Seat Belt Injuries. In a rollover, your seatbelt can save your life by keeping you from being thrown from the car. However, if the car lands on its roof you could be suspended by the seatbelt. If you try to get out of your seatbelt, you can get entangled and the edges of the material can cause lacerations.

Internal Injuries. The impact of a rollover can cause internal bleeding or damage to vital organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys.

Burn Injuries. In rare cases, a vehicle can flip with enough force to cause fuel spills. Or, the gas tank may become damaged during the rollover. In rare cases, this can cause a fire and burn injuries, which can be especially dangerous if you become trapped in the car and can’t easily get out.

Neck and Back Injuries. The violent motion of a rollover can cause whiplash or neck strains. This can lead to chronic pain and restricted movement.

Chest Injuries. During rollover, your chest can smash against the interior of the car. Extra pressure can be exerted by airbags or by the seatbelt, which, while saving your life, can also cause broken ribs or damage to the lungs and heart. A collapsed lung, bruised ribs, and other chest injuries can impact your ability to breathe and can result in chronic pain.

Facial Injuries. The force of a rollover can cause your face to smash against the inside of the windshield. In these crashes, it’s also not uncommon for the windshield to break or for objects in your car to fly around. Even something small like a travel coffee mug can cause serious injuries to the face when it becomes airborne in a crash. Lacerations, fractures, dental damage, eye injuries, and even permanent scarring can result.

Rollover accidents can be life-altering. If you’ve been in this type of crash, you may face long-term physical therapy, emotional distress, a significant financial burden from medical expenses, and changes in your daily life. In some cases, rollover accident injuries can result in permanent disability, meaning you may face new limitations. You may not be able to return to your job or you may need personal care or help around the house.

If your injuries were caused by the negligence of someone else or by willful action, you have the right to seek compensation for your pain and suffering, medical costs, lost wages, and other losses. Working with an experienced rollover accident attorney is crucial. An attorney can investigate the cause of the crash, can determine whether the car’s design flaws played a role, and can find all liable parties in your case. Your lawyer will pursue compensation for you, so you have the financial resources to replace your car, pay for medical care, and more.

How Much Could My Claim Be Worth?

Every case is different. Depending on the severity of your injuries, who the liable parties are, the impact of the accident on your life, and the negligence that caused the accident, two similar-seeming rollovers can mean very different settlements or verdicts.

The best way to get an accurate assessment of how much you may be able to claim is to speak with a personal injury attorney. You can always contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel for a free consultation to find out more about your situation and your options.  

When you are the victim of a rollover accident or any type of car accident and suffer significant injuries, we have the dedication, experience, and background to guide you each step of the way toward resolution of your case by means of settlement, arbitration, mediation, or trial. We have worked with car accident survivors in Westchester County, New York, and across the upper Hudson Valley and beyond. Our goal in every case is to get our clients fair compensation that covers as much of their medical care and damages as possible. We’re not afraid to go up against powerful insurance companies and corporations to get you fair compensation, and we have a trusted network of private investigators, medical professionals, and other experts to help us build a strong case.

We pride ourselves on ensuring that all clients’ inquiries and concerns are responded to promptly, and without exception, within 24 hours. Contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your case in detail.