Experienced Las Vegas Rollover Accident Lawyer

Why Rollover Accidents Are So Dangerous

A rollover accident happens when lateral forces overcome a vehicle’s stability, causing its center of gravity (CG) to shift, resulting in the vehicle tipping. A high speed, sharp turn, a side-impact collision, striking an object like a guardrail, and improperly loaded cargo are examples of factors that can destabilize a vehicle.

Vehicles with a higher CG, such as SUVs and pickups, are more likely to roll over because they become unstable more easily during a sharp turn, sudden maneuver, or collision.

IIHS report shows that in 2023, rollover crashes accounted for 21% of occupant deaths in cars, 38% in pickups, and 34% in SUVs. 

Rollover accidents contribute to serious injury rates compared to other crash types. Several factors contribute to this, including:

Roof Crush

The likelihood of a car’s roof collapsing inside during a rollover accident can be high. This can result in occupants sustaining traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

Ejection Risk

The chaotic motion of a vehicle in a rollover crash can throw occupants out of the car, particularly unbelted ones, increasing the risk of life-altering injuries. Roof crush and window damage increase the chances of ejection.

Multiple Points Of Impact

A rollover accident typically has three points of impact. When the vehicle collides with another object or runs off the road, this is the first impact, which causes the rollover sequence. The second impact occurs when it strikes the ground or other objects, contributing to further motion. The third impact is when an occupant’s body moves inside the car, striking interior parts like the dashboard, windows, and the roof. These multiple points of impact make rollover accidents so dangerous.

A rollover accident is among the most violent types of traffic accidents. Working with a Las Vegas catastrophic injury lawyer is crucial when you are injured in this type of crash.

Common Causes Of Rollover Accidents In Nevada

Here are the common causes of rollover accidents:

1. “Tripping”

When a car’s tires hit an obstacle or an uneven surface, such as a curb, guardrail, or pothole, its stability will be disrupted since the vehicle’s forward motion would have been abruptly interrupted. The loss of balance can cause a car to tip onto its side or roof.

2. High-Speed Maneuvers

The outward centrifugal force pushing on a car and its passengers grows faster with speed. This makes it harder for the tires to maintain grip. If centrifugal force exceeds the tires’ grip, the likelihood of skidding increases, which can result in a rollover accident.

3. Vehicle Type

As aforementioned, vehicles with a high CG like SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans, are more prone to rollover accidents. An SUV rollover attorney can help you fight for your rights. And a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer can help you understand the inherent risk of pickup trucks.

4. Tire Failure

Tire failure, such as a tire blowout and tread separation, can lead to a sudden loss of control, causing a vehicle to swerve or spin out of control, increasing the likelihood of a rollover accident.

5. Impact From Another Vehicle

A side collision can deliver enough force to lift a car’s tire off the ground, causing the vehicle to tilt. Moreover, the accumulated force from several vehicles in a multi-vehicle collision can contribute to a car tipping onto its side or roof.

6. Road Conditions

Poorly maintained roads in the Las Vegas area report a high number of rollover accidents because they create hazardous conditions that destabilize vehicles.

Who Can Be Held Liable For A Rollover Crash?

If a party fails to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would use in similar circumstances, resulting in a rollover crash, they can be held liable.

This party can be:

Another Driver

A driver’s reckless action can cause a rollover accident. For example, when they speed, drive under the influence of alcohol, or engage in distracted driving, and, in turn, cause the initial impact that leads to the rollover sequence. A  rollover crash lawyer in Las Vegas can help you build a solid case against a negligent driver.

A Vehicle Manufacturer

If a rollover accident is caused by a design defect that made the vehicle unreasonably dangerous, the vehicle manufacturer can be held liable. For instance, when a faulty stability control system fails to correct a loss of control by not activating (braking or reducing engine power) when needed. 

A manufacturer may also be answerable when an accident is caused by manufacturing defects, for example, when a defective tire causes a crash or a weak roof structure worsens it.

A Government Entity

If a road’s design creates a hazardous condition, such as a dangerous curve, contributing to a rollover accident, a government entity can be held liable. This can also be the case when an accident occurs due to poor road maintenance, for example, when it’s caused by a pothole or eroded shoulder. 

Consider working with an experienced Nevada auto accident attorney when seeking compensation from the government. 

A Mechanic or Parts Supplier

If faulty repairs or defective parts contribute to a rollover crash, a mechanic or parts supplier may be required to compensate injured victims.

Seeking Full Rollover Accident Compensation In Las Vegas

Being injured in a rollover accident can substantially impact your life. It’s vital to seek maximum compensation. 

Below are the damages you can claim:

Economic Damages

These are quantifiable losses resulting from an accident. You can prove these damages with documented evidence of your financial losses. 

Examples of economic damages include:

• Past and future medical expenses (Hospitalization, medication, surgeries, rehabilitation, assistive devices, home and vehicle modifications, nursing care, and mental health treatment).
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity (Actual income lost from time off work, any tips or bonuses you would have earned, and lost future income).
• Property damage (Cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal item that was damaged in the accident).

Non-Economic Damages

In rollover accident claims in Las Vegas, victims can be compensated for losses that are not financial (non-economic damages). These are intangible losses — it’s difficult to put a dollar value on them.  

Examples include:

• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress and mental anguish (Anxiety, depression, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder, and so on).
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement.

You can prove these losses using a personal journal where you keep detailed notes of how your injuries affect your daily life, testimony from family and friends who can tell who you were before, and how you are now after the injury, professional opinions from experts, and medical records. 

You should gather adequate evidence to receive a fair Las Vegas rollover accident settlement. Also, note that the Nevada comparative negligence law will apply. Your percentage of fault will be considered when recovering damages.

Punitive Damages

If the actions of the party that is liable for the accident involved oppression, fraud, or malice, you can claim punitive damages in your case. These are damages awarded for the sake of example and by way of punishing the defendant rather than to compensate the victim for losses. 

To recover punitive damages in your car accident settlement in Las Vegas, you must provide clear and convincing evidence.

How a Las Vegas Rollover Accident Attorney Can Help You

Working with a rollover accident injury lawyer in Las Vegas can considerably help your case. Attorneys are skilled in conducting thorough investigations. They know the evidence to gather and usually work with other professionals to get more information, for example, an accident reconstruction expert to prove how a rollover happened and who was at fault. The investigation will help them learn more about the accident, including all potential liable parties.

Additionally, your lawyer will work with medical and financial experts to value the full extent of your losses, especially future needs. This ensures you receive what you deserve and won’t cover losses out of pocket later.

A Las Vegas car crash lawyer will also help you negotiate with insurance companies. Lawyers are experienced in dealing with insurance adjusters who try to minimize payout. Your lawyer will help you fight for a fair settlement. And if this can’t be reached, they will be prepared to take the case to court.

Nevada’s Statute Of Limitations For An Injury Claim

Generally, a person has two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada. Therefore, it’s essential to act quickly to preserve evidence and build a strong case. Learn more about Nevada auto accident laws to avoid losing your eligibility for compensation. 

Conclusion

Rollover accident claims can be complex because of the possibility of several liable parties and severe injuries. This type of claim requires specialized legal expertise to establish liability and receive fair compensation. 

Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, has the experience and resources to handle these challenging cases. Our Las Vegas rollover accident lawyers are skilled in protecting the rights of injured victims. We will help you throughout the injury claim process.

Don’t face insurance companies alone. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case when injured in a rollover accident. We will help you receive the compensation you deserve. 

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