When an individual has been injured in a car accident, there are many concerns. From medical bills to physical therapy to lost income, the trauma caused by a car crash can quickly add up. The injury and accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm have been representing clients in Georgia and beyond for over a decade. We will help you understand your rights and do everything possible to get you the settlement you deserve for your injuries. Reach out to us at (470) 323-8779, or contact us online to set up an appointment to discuss your case.
There are a variety of reasons why rollover accidents occur. In a rollover accident, a driver loses control of his vehicle and rolls over. The car can turn upside down, rotate at a 360-degree angle, or move from one side to another before it stops. Often, rollovers result in critical injuries or fatalities due to the force of the vehicle being tossed around or crushed. Victims of rollover accidents may find themselves thrown around inside the car during a rollover or may be ejected from the car entirely.
The law in Georgia compels its drivers to exercise care when on the roads. If they fail to do so and cause harm, they can be held liable for any injuries suffered.
Causes of the Rollover Accidents
Driver Control
The leading cause of rollover accidents is a driver’s loss of control. Distractions such as talking on a cell phone or eating and drinking may cause you to lose focus and control of the vehicle. This can affect your car’s center of gravity and cause you to roll down the embankment and get stuck. When a driver loses focus and correct hand placement on the wheel, a loss of control can ensue.
Watching the road ahead is essential when driving. Slow down and pay attention to your surroundings while you’re driving.
Driving drowsy can be as dangerous as drinking and driving. If you’re feeling fatigued, pull over to the side of the road, take a short break, or turn on the radio to help you stay alert. If you’re drinking coffee or an energy drink, have a tall glass of water before hitting the road. It dilutes what you’ve already had to drink, which can keep you awake longer.
Risky Manoeuvres
Cars are commonly affected by rollovers due to tire friction. When the vehicle is overloaded, the driver takes sharp turns or drives at top speeds. As a result, the tires are under high pressure. This causes friction between the tires and the road, often resulting in a rollover. In simple terms, if a driver takes a sharp turn or goes around a curve too quickly, the shift in weight can make the vehicle tip over. This can be especially dangerous for vans, trucks, and heavily loaded vehicles.
Multi-vehicle Crash
Although single-vehicle rollovers are the most common type of accident, multi-vehicle accidents account for 30% of all rollovers. A rollover may occur when a vehicle is struck on its side or the driver’s door. A rollover may also happen if your car has not slowed down enough to negotiate a curve in the road. Your vehicle will roll over if it slides across the side of an object like a telephone pole, light post, or guardrail.
High Speed
Excessive speed plays a prominent role in many rollover accidents. Many of those rollovers occur as a result of rear-end collisions. In the event of a rear-end collision, one vehicle strikes another from behind, causing the trailing vehicle to lose control and tip over. The speed associated with these types of crashes is hazardous because they often happen at high speeds, making it even more likely that the trailing vehicle will tip over.
Drunk Driving
The effects of drugs and alcohol on the body alter the way a driver processes information and make decisions. When drivers are impaired, they lose the necessary skills and judgment to react appropriately in emergencies. When driving under the influence, everything can seem like it is happening in slow motion or that there is an intentional delay with the driver’s reactions. Reaction times and the ability to process information and make judgments and decisions can be slowed down, thus creating a dangerous driving environment. A car is more likely to roll over when the driver is drunk.
Vehicle Defects
Vehicle designs that lack stability or have poor tire quality are considered design defects. A vehicle’s basic design may be flawed due to its wide stance, short wheelbase, roof height, short overhangs, sloping trunk, or rear engine placement, among others. Designers are mainly responsible for preventing these types of defects. Apart from basic designs, some vehicles are purposefully designed with complex shapes that make them look sporty. However, these more dynamic designs may also increase the risk of rollover accidents if they lack stability.
What if You’re Involved in a Rollover Accident?
If you are involved in a rollover car accident, do not exit your vehicle unless absolutely necessary. If you must exit the car, take extreme caution to avoid putting yourself into another dangerous situation. Call 911 after getting out of your vehicle, but if that is not possible, immediately call roadside assistance for help. Be prepared to provide your location, car model and license plate number, condition of occupants (if known), injuries, and any other relevant details to the operator on the other end of the line. Do not try anything on your own. Instead, wait for emergency personnel or roadside assistance to arrive.
Do you need a Lawyer after a Rollover Accident?
Rollover accidents are tragic and often life-altering. Such car accidents can kill and injure both drivers and passengers at a moment’s notice. Therefore, you must immediately seek legal representation from a reputable Atlanta rollover accident attorney if this has happened to you.
The amount of time, energy, and negotiation that goes into successfully representing an accident victim is enormous. Every step of the process requires direct contact with insurance companies who won’t always act in your best interest. Once you’ve settled on a monetary settlement for your claim, there’s still much more to be done to ensure you receive fair compensation for all damages incurred during the rollover wreck. Your lawyer must see you through all stages of your case – from filing suit to relocating your car—and make sure that you receive unconditional satisfaction.
Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that if you contributed 49 percent or less to your harm, you could still sue the person who caused your injuries for the remaining 51%. But you cannot claim any compensation if you’re more than 50% responsible for your car accident. You should consult with a car accident lawyer in Atlanta so they can help you understand your case and the different ways you can file the lawsuit.
Damages That Can Be Recovered in a Rollover Accident
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you probably wonder how much damages you are entitled to recover. There are several different types of damages that you may be able to recover from your injuries, depending on the circumstances of your case. The most common types of damages are compensatory damages, punitive damages, and nominal damages.
Compensatory damages are designed to compensate you for your injuries or any other losses incurred due to the accident. These amounts are commonly called “economic” or “actual” damages because they cover the losses you suffered. Compensatory damages can include:
- Medical expenses.
- Wage loss.
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment in life.
- Future medical bills.
- Property damage and funeral expenses.
What is the Statute Of Limitations to File a Rollover Injury Lawsuit in Atlanta?
In Georgia, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the person at fault. This statute begins to run on the date of your car accident, not when you are ready or able to file your lawsuit. Because the statute of limitations varies from state to state, we recommend contacting us when your injury stabilizes, or your medical condition is diagnosed to ensure you recover the maximum amount. We recommend contacting us as soon as you’re ready to make a claim. This will help preserve your rights under this law.
Seek professional help
For every Georgia driver and their family, seeking justice and compensation in the aftermath of a severe injury or death caused by an impaired, distracted, or reckless driver is essential. Our compassionate team of attorneys will fight for justice for you and your family through years of litigation. While your injuries may be beyond what you can handle on your own at the outset, every case is different.
We will provide you with the basic information about how the law works and educate you about additional steps that can be taken to safeguard your rights and better protect them moving forward. This information could help you assert strict responsibility for your injury or collect compensation.
As a full-service personal injury law firm, we understand how upsetting rollover accidents can be. Whether your vehicle was struck from behind by a distracted driver or you were rear-ended on an interstate, we are here to help you explore all legal options. Contact us today to learn about our services and how we can help you pursue financial recovery.
