Every year, deadly rollover crashes occur and take lives. A rollover crash is when a car tips onto its side or roof in a crash. If you were seriously injured or lost a loved one in a rollover accident in Colorado Springs, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses. It’s best to speak with a knowledgeable Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney who can help you understand all of your legal options and protect your right to compensation.
An Overview of Colorado Springs Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are particularly severe accidents that often result in catastrophic injuries or death. Consider this recent Colorado Springs rollover crash off of North Carefree Circle where one person was seriously injured.
In a rollover, the car might roll over multiple times before it finally stops, and can crush the passengers while flipping. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollover accidents only account for about two percent of all traffic accidents, but the outcomes are much more severe than other types of accidents and substantially more likely to cause fatalities.
Rollover accidents can involve one or multiple vehicles and typically fall into one of two categories: tripped or untripped.
Tripped Rollover vs. Untripped Rollover Crash
Most rollover accidents are a “tripped rollover”, which is when a single vehicle “trips” and rolls over. Conversely, untripped rollovers are those involving more than one vehicle.
Untripped rollovers of them occur when a larger, top heavy vehicle attempts to avoid a collision and server out of control. The result is a multi-flip “rollover” which often ends in fatalities or life-changing injuries.
If you were involved in a rollover that was not your fault, it’s highly advisable to consult with a Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney.
Are Certain Types of Vehicles More Likely to Be Involved in Rollover Accidents?
Larger vehicles have a higher risk of being involved in a rollover accident due to its higher center of gravity. Having a higher center of gravity, making the vehicle top-heavy, means the vehicle is more likely to topple over when it makes a sharp turn. Thus, larger vehicles are more likely to be in an untripped rollover accident. Vehicles that have a higher likelihood of rollover include:
- SUVs
- Vans
- Pickup trucks
- Commercial vehicles
If you were involved in a rollover accident with a vehicle that was larger than yours, it’s likely that you suffered more substantial damages than the other driver. But you should know that you don’t have to manage a lawsuit alone, especially while you’re recovering from injuries. A Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney who knows how to navigate rollover accident cases can help you navigate the legal process so you can focus on your health and recovery.
Higher Speeds Increase the Risk of Rollover Accidents
The most dangerous rollover accidents are those that occur at high speeds. For example, a recent single-vehicle rollover crash off of South Carefree and Winward Way left the driver dead and the passenger with life-threatening injuries. When a collision occurs at higher speeds, it’s easier to lose control of the vehicle and spin out of control, leading to a rollover. The driver also has less time to react and may overcompensate to regain control of the vehicle, leading to a rollover. And if the vehicle rolls over multiple times, the damages will be severe.
Speeding is a factor in almost half of all rollover accidents. High speed rollovers will almost always cause the involved vehicle occupants to require emergency medical care.
If you were injured in a severe rollover accident that was caused by another person’s reckless driving or speeding, it’s time to call a Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney. They can help you establish fault and hold all responsible parties accountable for your injuries.
How Tire Grip Can Contribute to Rollover Accidents
Tire grip is an important factor for safe driving to maintain good traction and avoid excessive sideways movement. Certain vehicles, like SUVs and pickup trucks, have tires with more grip to prevent rollover-type accidents. When a vehicle doesn’t have the right tires or lacks adequate grip, that can be a risk factor for rollover accidents.
Tires that are excessively worn and lack grip can easily skid and cause the vehicle to roll over. When a vehicle has poor trip grip, bad weather and poor visibility significantly increase the odds of a rollover or other severe crash.
Other Factors That Increase the Risk of a Colorado Springs Rollover Accident
- Location- rollover accidents occur more often on rural roads where there is only one lane of traffic in each direction and higher speed limits. A driver who fails to properly maneuver a turn can easily flip over while going at 75mph on a rural highway.
- Commercial trucks with cargo – overloaded trucks that carry excess weight makes it more difficult to operate the truck. One wrong move could cause the cargo trailer to tip over if the load is improperly loaded or out of balance.
- Curved roads and exit ramps – rollover accidents commonly occur on exit ramps when vehicles are traveling too fast for the winding or curving ramp.
- Drunk driving – nearly one third of all rollover crashes are caused by drunk drivers. Alcohol inhibits a driver’s reflexes and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle by impairing judgment, coordination, and cognitive abilities. They may also have slowed reaction time which is bound to result in a disaster while traveling at high speeds and navigating curving roadways.
- Fatigued driving – this is a major issue with drivers who work long hours, such as commercial truck drivers or delivery drivers. If they are overly tired behind the wheel and fall asleep or take their eyes off the road for just a few seconds, they could cause a rollover crash.
- Dangerous road conditions – icy or wet roads can quickly cause a vehicle to lose control.
Frequent Injuries Associated With Colorado Springs Rollover Car Accidents
Rollover accidents are much more likely than other types of accidents to result in catastrophic injuries or death. Some potential injuries that could result from a rollover accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken Bones
- Bruises
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
How Can a Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney Help You?
If you are stuck with medical bills, lost income, property damage costs, you may be able to recover compensation for all your losses. If the accident was caused by another negligent driver, you can work with a Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney to file a third-party liability insurance claim. They can assess your case details and tell you if you have valid grounds for a personal injury claim.
If so, a Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney will assist you in navigating the legal process and obtaining your rightful compensation. Here are some specific ways you will benefit from working with a Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney:
- Helping you calculate a fair value for your damages. This involves assessing the extent of your injuries, future medical bills, and how your injuries have affected your life.
- Determining liability and gathering solid evidence to support your claim. Establishing liability requires a thorough investigation, which may require hiring a private investigator and other experts to help build a strong case. Establishing liability also means identifying all possible parties that are responsible for compensating you.
- Negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you get the highest possible settlement. If they don’t want to cooperate, our Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorneys can represent you in court.
- A Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney will provide legal counsel to ensure you make informed decisions to get the best outcome.
- We can also work with other experts, such as doctors, forensic experts and accident reconstructionists to gather the necessary evidence to present your case to a judge or jury.
- Having a qualified Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney working on your behalf will ensure you file a claim within the statute of limitations and file all necessary paperwork on time.
Contact A Colorado Springs Rollover Accident Attorney Today
If you sustained serious injuries in a Colorado Springs rollover accident, you probably have anxiety about how you’ll pay for your medical bills, missing work, being unable to provide for your family, and much more. The good news is that our legal team is here to help you get the financial recovery you deserve and help you get your life back in order.
We are here to answer all of your legal questions regarding a Colorado Springs personal injury claim. Call us today for expert legal advice on your rollover accident case. We offer a free initial consultation.
