Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle rolls over onto its side or its roof. These kinds of auto accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including vehicle collisions, poor road conditions, vehicle defects, and driver error. Regardless of the cause, whenever a car, truck, or SUV rolls over, the occupants of the vehicle can be seriously injured. In many cases, these injuries require intensive medical care and may even necessitate long-term hospitalization.
Local Teen Involved in Rollover on U.S. ALT-27
According to a report published by the Villages-News.com, a 14-year-old Ocala resident avoided serious injury after the 2003 Monte Carlo in which she was traveling overturned. The driver of the vehicle, a 42-year-old Chiefland woman, caused the accident by overcorrecting after her vehicle entered the median. The driver also was not seriously injured.
Rollover Accidents Can Be Caused By The Negligence Of Other Parties
While, in this case, it seems likely that driver error caused the accident, there are instances of rollover accidents that are the result of the negligence of another party. Some other common causes of these kinds of accidents are detailed below.
- Vehicle design defects – In some rollover crashes, the way in which a vehicle was designed is directly responsible for causing it to rollover. In these cases, injured victims may have a valid product liability claim for defective design against the manufacturer of the vehicle. Because these kinds of design defects affect a large number of vehicles, these lawsuits often become part of a class action.
- Defective roadways – Another common cause of rollover accidents that are not caused by driver error are defects in the roadway. The kinds of defects that have the potential to cause a vehicle to roll over include potholes, poorly graded turns, improper drainage, uneven pavement, inadequate signage, malfunctioning stop lights, and shoulder drop-offs. Because these kinds of cases often involve claims made against a government agency, there is often a relatively short time after an accident in which a victim can file a claim. For this reason, anyone hurt in a crash that he or she believes was the result of a roadway defect should call an lawyer immediately.
- Other drivers – In many rollover accidents, the negligence of another driver is to blame. Other drivers can cause accidents in a number of ways, including speeding, drunk driving, failure to yield, ignoring stop signs, or following too closely, just to name a few.
After a rollover accident, it is important for victims to have their case thoroughly analyzed by an experienced lawyer in order to determine whether the victim has a claim, even if he or she believes that he or she may have been partially at fault for the accident.
Contact an Ocala Personal Injury Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
Motor vehicle accidents are capable of causing extremely serious injuries to occupants and drivers alike. For this reason, it is crucial for anyone involved in an accident to discuss his or her options with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation with an Ocala personal injury lawyer, call Piccin & Glynn today at 352-558-8480.