Car Accident Law Firm in Baltimore

Rollover Accidents

Any car accident can be dangerous and result in potentially serious injuries or death. However, some wrecks are known to be much more dangerous than others. For example, a minor fender bender is far less serious than a head-on collision. One of the most devastating types of car accidents are rollovers, which occur when a driver loses control of his or her vehicle, causing the car or SUV to flip over onto its side or roof. Due to the extreme force of impact that occurs when the vehicle flips, rollovers account for the highest fatality rate among vehicle car accidents, fatally injuring over 10,000 people every year.

Vehicles at Greater Risk for Rollovers

While any car or truck can be involved in a rollover accident, SUVs and 15-passenger vans are particularly vulnerable because they have a higher center of gravity, as well as a narrow wheel base. As a result, if a driver is forced to make a quick, sharp turn, the vehicle can begin to tip and roll onto its side or roof. Similar risks exist for 15-passenger vans, particularly when there are many of passengers on board, which can shift the center of gravity to the rear of the vehicle, causing the van to fishtail. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 81 percent of rollover accidents involving 15-passenger vans result in at least one fatality, compared to 33 percent in other vehicles.

Causes of Rollovers

Vans and SUVs are not the only vehicles that can be involved in a rollover accident. The following conditions can increase the chances of any vehicle flipping over onto its side or roof:

  • Inclement weather. When the roads are slippery due to ice, rain, or snow, the vehicle’s tires can lose their grip on the road, making a rollover more likely.
  • Multi-vehicle crashes: Rollovers are common in multiple-vehicle crashes, particularly if one vehicle hits the side of another car, truck, or van.
  • Road defects: Avoiding obstacles such as potholes or other defects in the road can also cause the driver to swerve, making a rollover more likely. 
  • Sudden turn: When changing direction suddenly, and at a high speed, the momentum of the vehicle can be enough to cause it to flip. 
  • “Tripping hazards:” When a driver must quickly swerve to avoid an obstacle in the road, causing the wheel of the vehicle to hit a curb, or other type of tripping hazard, this can cause a rollover. 

Common Injuries in Rollover Accidents

Unfortunately, victims of rollover accidents frequently sustain multiple injuries, often affecting the head, neck, thorax, abdomen, upper limbs, and lower limbs. Some of the most common rollover accident injuries include:

  • Amputation
  • Broken bones
  • Dental injuries
  • Emotional injuries including PTSD
  • Lacerations and bruising
  • Nerve and organ damage
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury

If you have been involved in a rollover accident, it is crucial that you notify the authorities immediately and seek medical attention if you are able. Depending on the nature of your injury and the part of the body that was affected, you may not immediately experience any obvious signs of injury, including pain, blood, swelling, discoloration, or other symptoms. However, you could have a serious injury that could become life-threatening if you forego medical treatment. The condition could worsen, or become fatal if left untreated.

Baltimore Auto Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Rollover Accidents

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a rollover accident, do not delay in contacting the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We understand the traumatic nature of these wrecks and we are committed to securing the maximum financial compensation for your injuries. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.