Douglasville Rollover Accident Lawyer
A rollover accident can leave people involved in the crash with devastating injuries. If you have been injured in a rollover accident that was someone else’s fault, the lawyers at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., will fight for you to seek justice and compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.
What Is a Rollover Accident?
A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle tips onto its side, or its roof. During one recent year, rollovers were responsible for 29 percent of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Rollovers accounted for nearly half of the single-vehicle crashes during that year as well as a significant percentage of multiple-vehicle accidents.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Douglasville Rollover Accidents?
Rollover accidents can happen with any type of car. However, due to their high center of gravity, they occur more often with SUVs, trucks, and vans. The higher the car is off the ground, the higher its center of gravity, and the higher the probability of a rollover accident.
Today’s manufacturers have minimized the risk of rollover accidents by redesigning vehicles and installing advanced safety features. This is why older SUVs, trucks, and vans are more likely to roll over than newer ones.
Beyond the vehicle’s design, other common causes of Douglasville rollover accidents include:
- Tripping — Georgia’s roads can play a significant role in rollover accidents. Roads that are poorly maintained and have potholes, cracks, and/or hazardous curves can cause tripping, or the shifting of weight to one side when the vehicle encounters the hazard. The shifting weight can cause the vehicle to roll over.
- Speeding — Driving over the speed limit, especially on a curve or other sudden sharp turn, can cause a rollover accident.
- Driving inappropriately for the weather — Rain, fog, and other inclement weather creates treacherous driving conditions. Slippery roads and reduced visibility can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a rollover accident.
- Being struck by another vehicle — A rollover can occur when another vehicle hits your car with enough force to cause it to roll, usually due to speeding or reckless driving.
What Types of Injuries Happen in a Rollover Accident?
Rollover accidents can result in devastating injuries. Injuries that frequently result from such an accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — These injuries come from a violent blow or jolt to the head, or from an object that pierces the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Damage to the brain can have short- and long-term effects, including paralysis and death.
- Spinal cord injuries — The force of the impact with another vehicle and any direct impact your spine suffers can cause severe spinal cord injuries. A complete spinal cord injury can result in paraplegia, quadriplegia, monoplegia, or another serious, irreparable condition.
- Broken bones — These injuries are common in a rollover accident. Ribs, collar bones, arms, legs, hips, wrists, and ankles are vulnerable in a rollover crash.
- Psychological trauma — The National Institute of Health (NIH) notes that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur in victims of serious motor vehicle accidents. The injured person may experience intrusive thoughts or nightmares about the accident and may even avoid getting into cars altogether for fear of being injured in another accident.
When you have been injured in a rollover accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve compensation for your injuries and losses. That’s why working with an experienced Douglasville rollover accident attorney is essential when it comes to seeking the justice you deserve.
How Do You Prove Who Is Responsible for Causing a Rollover Accident in Douglasville?
To secure compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered in a rollover accident, you must show that someone else was responsible for the crash. Proving that another party was at fault requires evidence that shows how the other party caused the collision. When you hire an attorney, they will know how to identify all potentially liable parties.
Different types of evidence will be required to prove fault, depending on the identity of the at-fault party.
Parties who could be liable for a rollover accident in Douglasville include:
- Other driver — If the driver of the vehicle that hit you engaged in negligent behavior such as speeding, distracted driving, or drunk driving, they could be liable. Your lawyer can get copies of the police report or phone records to prove the driver’s fault.
- Vehicle manufacturer — If a faulty part or system caused the rollover, either on the vehicle that hit you or on your own vehicle, the manufacturer could be liable for the accident. An investigation of the condition of the vehicle may produce evidence that the part or system caused the wreck.
- Government agency — If the roadway where the rollover occurred was poorly maintained and a defect caused your vehicle to trip, or if the design of that portion of the road contributed to your rollover, the government agency responsible for the roads could be liable. Your lawyer would need to obtain expert opinions that these factors contributed to the crash.
Can I Seek Compensation from the Person Responsible for Causing My Accident?
Georgia law allows rollover accident victims to seek compensation from the at-fault party. If you were injured in a rollover crash, you could seek compensation that includes:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment, including permanent disabilities
- Decreased quality of life
- Property damage.
Is There a Limited Time to File a Car Accident Claim in Georgia?
In Georgia, accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. Two years can fly by fast. So, hiring an experienced attorney as soon as possible after you have been injured is the key to pursuing compensation for your injuries. If you file your lawsuit after the deadline passes, a court can dismiss your case.
Contact a Douglasville Rollover Accident Lawyer
At Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., we have more than 85 years of combined experience. We have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, standing true to our catchphrase, “Respect. Reputation. Results.” We will treat you like family. Contact us today if you have been injured in a rollover accident caused by someone else. Let’s work together to pursue the justice you deserve.
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