A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. This can range from a single tip-over to multiple rolls and is more common in vehicles with a higher center of gravity, such as SUVs, trucks, and vans.
The lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wright could help victims of rollover car accidents in Orlando by navigating the complexities of legal proceedings, investigating the cause of the accident, and securing compensation for damages. If you or a loved one has been injured in a recent rollover crash, contact our personal injury attorneys to set up your free initial consultation and discuss your potential case.
Leading Causes and Injuries in Rollover Accidents
Rollover collisions are among the most dangerous types of crashes, resulting in a disproportionately high number of severe injuries and fatalities. Driver negligence plays a significant role in such accidents. Common negligent actions that cause these crashes include:
- Exceeding the speed limit–this significantly increases the risk of losing control, particularly when navigating curves or attempting sudden maneuvers.
- Impaired judgment and reaction time due to alcohol or drugs
- Texting or talking on the phone–these and similar actions divert a driver’s attention, making them prone to errors
- Drowsiness behind the wheel–this can cause drivers to swerve or lose control due to delayed reaction times
- Tailgating, speeding, or making sudden lane changes–this can force other drivers to react abruptly
- Oversteering when attempting to avoid a hazard or regain control after drifting off the road
- Weight imbalance, especially in large trucks or SUVs, this can affect the vehicle’s stability
Vehicles involved in rollovers can experience multiple violent impacts with the ground or other objects, increasing the severity of injuries to occupants. The risk of ejection from the vehicle is significantly higher than in other types of crashes, and this often leads to occupants sustaining catastrophic or fatal injuries.
The vehicle’s roof and sides can collapse during a rollover, trapping or crushing occupants and causing severe injuries, such as head trauma, spinal cord damage, and internal organ damage. Compared to other types of collisions, vehicle tip-overs in Orlando can involve significant impact forces, especially at high speeds, and lead to a greater potential for serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Laceration
- Abrasions
How Can Victims Get Compensation After a Rollover Accident?
In Orlando, victims of vehicle turnovers could pursue compensation for their injuries and damages through various avenues, including insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. The state’s no-fault insurance system, known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), covers a portion of medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was at fault.
PIP coverage has a limit of $10,000 and typically covers 80 percent of medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages. To receive PIP benefits, you must seek treatment within 14 days of the accident.
Recovering Compensation Outside of PIP
If your injuries are severe and exceed your PIP coverage limits, or if you suffer from permanent disfigurement, disability, or loss of consortium, you could file a lawsuit. You could also sue the at-fault driver if they were uninsured or underinsured.
Recoverable compensation could include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are quantifiable losses such as medical bills (past, present, and future), lost wages (including time off for treatment), and property damage (car repairs or replacement). Non-economic damages are more subjective losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (i.e., loss of companionship of a spouse).
Even in a no-fault state, proving fault can be essential for recovering compensation beyond PIP limits. Police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction reports could all be used to establish fault. An experienced Orlando rollover crash lawyer could provide invaluable assistance and help you recover the full breadth of monetary damages owed.
Call Our Attorneys for Legal Help After a Rollover Car Crash in Orlando
Rollover car accidents in Orlando can lead to serious injuries, and victims frequently face high medical bills, lost income, and long-term care needs. Our auto accident attorneys could ensure that all potential claims are explored, including those against the at-fault driver, the vehicle manufacturer, or even a government entity (if road conditions contributed to the accident). Our legal team at Colling Gilbert Wright has built a strong reputation as dedicated advocates for negligence victims in auto accident claims, and most of our cases are referrals from past clients or fellow attorneys.
Recent financial recoveries include a $5.3 million settlement against a driver and her employer for burn injuries resulting from a fiery automobile accident, and a $410,687 settlement for a 61-year-old drywall repairman who sustained auto accident injuries that aggravated pre-existing arthritis in his neck and back. If you have been injured in a recent rollover crash, please contact a car accident lawyer at The Florida Firm today to schedule your free case consultation.