Rollover accidents are one of the most deadly types of crashes. Passengers often sustain severe head and neck injuries due to the car flipping over. These are frightening accidents that can be traumatic for anyone involved.
If you sustained severe or catastrophic injuries in a rollover accident, you need a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney to help protect your rights.
What Is a Rollover Crash and Why Are They More Dangerous?
A rollover accident is when a car flips onto the side or roof, most commonly seen with bigger vehicles. Any car can flip over, but they are more common with larger cars due to the higher center of gravity (e.g., trucks and SUVs) and narrow track widths. Large trucks and SUVs may also be more likely to be driven on rural roads where rollover accidents commonly occur.
While rollover crashes only account for 3% of all accidents, they are one of the most dangerous. According to insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data, rollover crashes make up 35% of traffic-related fatalities.
Over 280,000 rollover accidents annually that cause over 10,000 deaths in the US (NHTSA). Over half of the people who died were not wearing a seatbelt.
SUVs have the highest fatalities in rollover crashes, followed by pickup trucks, vans, and passenger cars.
Another reason rollover accidents are so dangerous is that vehicle occupants can get thrown out of the vehicle when the car flips or rolls. This often leads to severe or catastrophic injuries, if not death.
Driver error does cause a substantial amount of car accidents, but not all. For example, some rollover accidents are caused by vehicle defects or poor road design. If so, a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney can help you determine who is liable for your injuries and hold them accountable.
Tripped Vs. Untripped Rollover Accidents in Tampa, FL
A rollover vehicle can be in one of two categories: tripped or untripped. Tripped rollovers are caused by external forces, such as a curb or a collision. On the contrary, untripped rollovers are caused by ground fiction, speed, and oversteering.
Tripped Rollovers
Tripped rollovers occur after a vehicle hits something and slides sideways. The rapid change in direction paired with the momentum of the vehicle will cause the car to flip.
Tripped rollover accidents are caused by external forces or objects that cause a car to flip. An example of a tripped rollover is a collision with another car. If two cars are traveling at high speeds and swipe each other or hit head on, they could potentially roll over. Another example would be if a vehicle crashes into an object like a guard rail and then loses control.
Untripped Rollovers
Unlike a tripped rollover, an untripped rollover is caused by the vehicle’s own movement. Gravity causes the car to flip over when it loses control. An example of an untripped rollover is a large, top-heavy vehicle that turns too fast. Another example would be when a car abruptly turns to avoid a collision but then loses control and flips over.
The speed, momentum, and gravity will cause the large vehicle (usually trucks and SUVs) to lose control and flip. Only about 5% of rollover accidents are untripped. That means the other 95% are caused by accidents with other objects or other cars.
Common Injuries from Tampa Rollover Accidents
Due to cars flipping over in a rollover accident, they’re more likely to yield catastrophic and severe injuries. Some accidents commonly seen in rollover accidents include:
Bruises
Bruises frequently happen in car accidents, but a violent crash like a rollover will cause more substantial bruises. Safety measures like airbags and seatbelts save lives but can also leave injuries on the upper body.
Broken Bones
A vehicle flipping over causes immense and violent force, often throwing the passengers around in the car. In addition, a body getting slammed in the car can cause broken bones.
Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Whether the airbag fractures the face or the aggressive flipping motion of the car causes a broken neck, a rollover accident is likely to cause some head or neck trauma. You may also get a traumatic brain injury ranging from a concussion to permanent cognitive impairment.
Spinal Cord Injury
If the impact of a car flipping can cause sudden trauma to the spine, resulting in a spinal cord injury. When the spine gets severely crushed or decomposed, the injured victim can experience paralysis or loss of movement. Other symptoms of spinal cord injury can range from incontinence to sexual dysfunction, altered sensations, and difficulty breathing.
Lost or Amputated Limbs
Severe car crashes like a rollover might trap the passengers in. Or, the car may crush the victim, requiring limb amputation.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
Any trauma from the car or loose objects can cause trauma. Internal bleeding often occurs with severe seat belt trauma since it covers the area from the shoulder to the pelvis.
There are countless possible injuries from rollover accidents that are usually harsh. It’s rare for a rollover accident victim to walk away with a few cuts and scrapes. Therefore, after a rollover accident, get medical care ASAP. You don’t want to risk letting an undetected injury worsen or become life-threatening. Furthermore, delaying treatment won’t benefit your Tampa personal injury claim. Consult a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney for professional legal advice regarding your injuries.
Long-Term Consequences of Rollover Accidents in Tampa, FL
If you sustained severe injuries from a rollover car accident, that could have long-term consequences and change your life. Here are some challenges you might live with after a rollover accident:
- Permanent Disability that can affect your self-image, ability to work, and quality of life
- Brain Injuries that cause a drastic change in your physical capabilities
- Financial Strain on you and your family to cover accident-related expenses
- Reduced quality of life from unexpected injury and consequential losses
- Inability to work the same job or find meaningful work
- Psychological distress (anxiety, depression, PTSD)
There can be many more long-term impacts of a car accident in your life. To minimize these long-term impacts, you should immediately get an appropriate medical assessment. Then follow your doctor’s orders.
As an injury victim of debilitating or permanent injuries from someone else’s negligence, you have a right to seek damage compensation. Speak to a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney to find out what damages you qualify for.
Is It Worth It to Hire a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney?
Yes. Handling a complex rollover accident claim is not easy. It takes a skilled, experienced legal professional to get a successful outcome. Find an experienced Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney who knows how to navigate Florida’s legal system. They can guide you in the right direction and help you avoid mistakes that could hurt your claim.
Furthermore, you probably don’t want to be bothered with legal proceedings, paperwork, communications, and other actions while you’re injured. Instead, you should be healing and focused on your recovery. Building and filing a case is not easy; it takes time and resources, which is difficult to dedicate while recovering. Therefore, a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney will give you peace of mind. They can handle your case and ultimately get you the compensation you deserve.
A Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney Will Help Determine Liability in a Rollover Accident
Determining liability in a car accident is not always clear-cut. Perhaps you were partially at fault for causing the accident. Or the other party denies their liability. Whatever the case, a competent Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney knows how to gather evidence to demonstrate the other party’s negligence. Then we can hold them accountable and pursue reimbursement for your losses.
A Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney Will Negotiate With Insurance Companies for You
Insurance companies quickly offer shoddy settlement offers that are nowhere near what you deserve. They might offer you a settlement immediately after the accident, so you don’t have time to strategize or speak to a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney.
However, we recommend avoiding communications with insurance adjusters until you consult with a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney. Their offer is almost always unfairly low and won’t cover your expenses.
Contact a Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney
You must protect your rights if you or someone you love was injured in a rollover accident. Tampa Rollover Accident Attorney can help you understand your legal options and the damages you can recover.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
