SUV Rollover Lawyer

Are you the victim of an SUV rollover accident? Many people assume SUVs are one of the safest vehicles on the road. Their large chassis, added weight, and elevated driver view of the road makes them a safer option than a smaller, lighter vehicle when involved in a collision.

The reality is SUVs are no safer than sedans or hatchbacks. The elevated driver position seems appealing but creates a higher center of gravity in the vehicle. That means the SUV is easier to roll than sedans and hatchbacks.

Suppose you're involved in an SUV rollover accident due to another driver's negligence. In that case, you can appoint an SUV rollover lawyer to get you the settlement you deserve and full compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.

An experienced lawyer at California Law Firm helps you file a personal injury claim to recover your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. Our SUV accident attorneys fight on your behalf until you receive the justice and legal settlement you deserve.

How Common Are SUV Rollover Accidents?

Some Americans are particularly interested in buying a large sport utility vehicle for daily use as they assume larger vehicles will keep them safe on the road. Nothing can be further from the truth because SUV rollover accidents are an everyday occurrence in California.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show the dangerous nature of such vehicles with a higher center of gravity.

  • Each year, 280,000 rollover crashes happen in the USA.
  • Rollover accidents account for more than 10,000 deaths every year.
  • The number of fatal SUV rollovers has doubled since 1991.
  • SUV rollover crashes increase the chances of serious injuries by 36% or more.
  • One-fifth of all fatal crashes involve SUV rollovers.
  • A single vehicle is involved in more than 90% of SUV rollover accidents.

An SUV rollover accident could result in severe injuries to the spinal cord, organs, skull, brain, muscular and nervous systems. In many cases, it can result in a wrongful death. Our California Law Firm offers you specialist SUV rollover attorneys to handle your claim and secure the compensation you deserve.

Why Are SUVs More Dangerous than other Passenger Vehicles?

SUV vehicles and other heavy and light trucks have a higher center of gravity compared to regular passenger vehicles. This feature makes SUVs more susceptible to accidents and rollovers, unlike motorcycles, which have other safety issues. SUV manufacturers are held responsible for vehicle crashes in many cases.

The weak safety restraint system and unstable roof structure of their passenger vehicles often lead to fatal SUV accidents. Moreover, if the car manufacturers do not deliver roll bars supporting the roof, it may cause roof collapse and severe injuries to the occupants. Ford Explorer, Isuzu Rodeo, and Toyota 4Runner are some of the popular SUVs commonly involved in SUV rollovers and fatal crashes.

Types of SUV Rollovers

There are four types of rollover accidents depending on how and why the SUV rollover accidents happen.

Ramp Rollover

When sports utility vehicles drive over a ramp or elevated objects, they can roll. This type of rollover is called ramp rollover.

Sideways Skid Rollover

These types of SUV rollovers happen when the two rear wheels of your SUV lose traction, causing them to spin and force the SUV into a rollover as the tires gain traction again.

Lateral Force Rollover

While traveling around a curve at high speed, an SUV creates a lateral force to the side, thanks to its higher center of gravity. This rollover is called lateral force rollover.

Site-Slop Rollover

A site-slop rollover happens if an SUV leaves the paved road and attempts to drive on the sand verge. The displacement of balance and road angle initiates a slide, resulting in a rollover.

Safety Tips to Prevent SUV Rollover Accidents

SUV owners need to do everything they can to improve the safety of their vehicles when driving. When you can prove to the insurer that you drive safely, there's a better chance of receiving a better settlement value.

  • Stay within speed limits. Speeding is the most common cause of SUV rollover accidents.
  • Don't overload your SUV beyond its rated maximum weight capacity.
  • Wear a seatbelt and ensure all passengers are buckled up.
  • Ensure your SUV is well-maintained.
  • Recognize your visual limitations and wear glasses if needed.
  • Avoid multi-tasking and sharp changes of steering.
  • Don't drink before and while driving a car.

Why Do SUV Rollover Accidents Happen?

Before filing a lawsuit, you need to understand the main causes of an SUV accident. This section helps you comprehend the nature of your case. Let's unpack the major causes of SUV rollover accidents.

Inconvenient Steering Maneuver

When the driver overcorrects the wheel or jerks it to one side, it causes the vehicle to roll.

Collision

Side impact collision with other vehicles or stationary objects will cause a rolling event.

Extra Weight

Overloading the SUV increases the top-heavy center of gravity, making it much easier to roll the SUV.

Unsafe Road Conditions

Unmaintained roads with defects like potholes and ditches can cause rolls when the front wheels enter the fault and displace the center of gravity, forcing a roll.

Excessive Speeds

As we mentioned earlier, speed is the main reason behind an SUV accident in most cases. High speeds lead to serious accidents and injuries, especially when the vehicle has an accident on a slope and extends the roll distance of the SUV during the accident.

SUV Design and Construction

SUVs come in several models from dozens of manufacturing brands. Some offer different safety features to others. If you're driving a model circa 2000, you probably have fewer safety features than a new model.
However, even the latest SUVs may present lower levels of safety than others. If the driver doesn't engage all of the safety features, they increase the risk of experiencing a rollover accident. Here are a few examples of failed safety systems in SUVs.

Absence of the ESC System

Many SUVs don't feature an Electronic Stability Control or ESC system. Hence, the car is susceptible to more damage in an accident. Sometimes the ESC system fails and causes SUV rollovers.

Unstable Roof

SUVs generally lack proper safety features regarding protection offered by the vehicle's roof. When the roof structure is weak and unstable, it can crush the driver and passengers inside the car.

Tempered Glass

Tempered or laminated glass isn't as strong as you think and shatters during a rollover. The glass shards can penetrate the victim's skin and eyes, causing serious tissue injuries.

Faulty Handle Springs

If the SUV handles are faulty, they won't hold the door locked during a rollover crash. As a result, the passengers might eject from the car during a collision, sustaining severe injuries.

If you experience an SUV rollover accident, contact our California Law Firm. Our experienced attorneys will discuss your legal options and offer accurate, free legal advice.

What Injuries Can an SUV Rollover Accident Cause?

SUV accidents can cause different types of injuries, ranging from mild to severe injuries to death. Here are the common injuries sustained by SUV rollover victims.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI may cause paralysis, cognitive deficits, progressive dementia, and premature brain death.

Spinal Cord Injury

According to the WHO, this injury can lead to deep vein thrombosis, chronic pain, osteoporosis, and urinary tract infections.

Neck Injuries

These injuries include whiplash, vertebral fractures, sprains and strains, and disk injuries or herniations.

Back Injuries

These injuries can lead to paralysis, numbness, severe pain, and difficulty breathing.

Bone Injuries

Accidents can break or badly fracture bones, causing temporary or permanent immobility.

Our California law firm offers you access to specialist SUV rollover lawyers to assist you with evaluating the extent of your injuries and claim your medical expenses and the costs of future treatments.

Who Is the Liable Party in an SUV Rollover Accident?

It's essential to determine the liable party behind an SUV rollover. In California, liability insurance ensures accident victims get financial compensation for personal injuries.

Our accident reconstruction experts know how to construct accident scenes and the cause of the rollover. We'll file a claim against the responsible party and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. In our experience, the most common parties responsible for rollover accidents include the following.

Drivers or Motorists

Suppose the accident involves another vehicle, and you feel the accident occurred because of the other driver's negligence. In that case, our accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.

We could do the same if the accident was caused by a negligent motorcyclist. Their insurance companies cover the financial costs of your claim.

However, our personal injury attorneys might not be able to help recover compensation if any of the following factors are involved in the accident.

  • Poor weather conditions were the reason behind the multi-vehicle accident.
  • There isn't sufficient proof to prove liability.
  • If the accident was caused because of your negligence.

Driver Employers

For commercial passenger cars, driver employers are held responsible for the rollover accident. Our SUV rollover attorneys can sue the employer for hiring or contracting inexperienced drivers.

Vehicle Manufacturer

Some accidents happen due to the weak structural design of the SUV. The vehicle manufacturer can be held responsible for SUV accidents if –

  • The vehicle has poorly manufactured tires and broken safety parts.
  • Seatbelts of the car are faulty and not strong enough to brace the driver.
  • Their vehicle chassis and frame lack reinforcement features.
  • Roll bars aren't installed in the SUV.
  • The SUV has faulty seats.
  • Mechanical failure occurs regularly.

Government Agencies

Some roads are so badly made and poorly maintained they get easily destroyed in poor weather conditions. The government agencies that build the road can be regarded as the liable party because of poor road construction and faulty roads.

It's a complex process to gather critical evidence and determine the party liable for the accident in these cases. Contact our California Law Firm for help from our accident lawyers to handle it for you.

How Can SUV Rollover Lawyers at California Law Firm Help?

California Law Firm is dedicated to bringing justice to the victims of SUV rollover accidents. Our highly qualified lawyers offer you a free consultation where you can explain the merits of your case. We'll tell you if you have any legal recourse.

  • Meet and interview the victim and the family members to collect pertinent information and evidence about the damages.
  • Investigate the accident area to comprehend the circumstances and find the cause of the crash.
  • Retrieve the victim's initial medical bills and ensure they get proper treatment.
  • Send a demand letter to the responsible party to notify the victim's intention to file a lawsuit.
  • File a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the client.

After filing the lawsuit, our lawyers will fight to get you fair compensation for the economic and non-economic losses. Our experienced attorney will help you to recover –

Medical Expenses

The California law states that the at-fault party is responsible for the medical bills and expenses of the accident victims. Costs may be covered by the responsible person or the insurance company. Our personal injury lawyers will help you calculate the costs and claim them from the insurance company.

Lost Income

California law allows the victim of a personal injury case to claim lost income. This refers to the wages the victim would have received if the accident didn't happen. Our expert lawyers will help you to recover your lost wages.

Lost Earning Capacity

Lost earning is the income the victim will lose in the future because of the injury caused by the accident. At California Law Firm, our team will claim your lost earnings.

Pain and Suffering

Accidents cause you physical pain as well as mental anguish that results in long-term trauma. Our attorney will include this type of damage to the rollover lawsuit so that you receive maximum compensation. To convince the jury, our team will also collect all the medical documents and get you a reasonable recovery of your medical expenses.

Wrongful Death

If an accident is fatal, the victim's family can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. Our team will help the family of the deceased to receive economic as well as non-economic compensations.
The damages will include the expenses of burial and funeral, the lot income of the deceased, and compensation for the pain and suffering of the deceased's family.

Contact Us

If you're a victim of an SUV rollover accident, you can bring the responsible party to justice under the law and claim the compensation you deserve. You need an experienced attorney to lead you through the complexity of the law.

From our California Law Firm, you can find the finest SUV rollover lawyers in California with experience representing people from all backgrounds. We believe justice is for all, and the attorney-client relationship should be fair and confidential.

We provide our clients with a free consultation and a highly skilled legal team. Contact us to find the best SUV rollover lawyer in California and receive the settlement you deserve.