Oklahoma City Rollover Accident Attorneys

Rollover accidents are one of the most violent and destructive types of crashes. The sheer force of these crashes can toss an occupant around like a rag doll, forcing them to collide with the interior of the vehicle, crushing them under the weight of the roof, or ejecting them from the vehicle entirely. Injuries are often serious, if not fatal. Unfortunately, serious injuries are also synonymous with expensive injuries. If you are catastrophically hurt in a rollover accident, the last thing you want to worry about is how to pay for your medical expenses.

The Oklahoma City car accident attorneys at Abel Law Firm know just how serious a rollover accident can be. While you struggle to recover, your family struggles to pay the bills. If someone’s negligent actions or a defective part contributed to your accident, why are you footing all the bills?

The experienced legal team at Abel Law Firm wants to help you recover the compensation you are owed following a serious rollover accident. Even if you were the only vehicle involved, you may still have a case. Talk to the team at Abel Law Firm about your accident and your legal options. Call (405) 239-7046 for a free initial consultation.

What Constitutes a Rollover Crash?

Technically, a rollover crash is an accident where a vehicle tips over onto its side and then rolls onto its roof. A car may roll once, or it may roll multiple times before coming to rest in any number of positions. A rollover accident occurs when there is a sudden shift in weight and center of gravity. This sudden shift of weight is so great that the vehicle begins to tip. Once a vehicle begins to tip, its momentum causes it to rollover. Depending on the speed of the vehicle and the circumstances of the accident, a vehicle has the potential to complete several full rotations before coming to a stop.

What Makes Rollover Accidents So Dangerous?

Rollover crashes aren’t just serious, they are often deadly and are considered one of the most dangerous types of accidents. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that rollover crashes have a higher fatality rate than other types of crashes. Although rollover crashes only accounted for about 2.1 percent of the total number of crashes in 2010, they accounted for nearly 35 percent of all deaths from passenger vehicle collisions.

The National Center for Statistics and Analysis has found that the number of fatal SUV rollover accidents has more than doubled since 1991. SUVs and light trucks account for a large number of vehicles involved in rollover accidents. While a number of factors can lead to a rollover accident, these types of vehicle may be more prone to being involved in a rollover because they have a higher center of gravity, they have fairly narrow track widths, and they are more likely to be driven on rural roads where road conditions can be treacherous. These types of vehicles may also offer drivers a false sense of security on dangerous road conditions such as snow or ice.

Causes and Liability in Rollover Accidents

It may be surprising, but numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 85 percent of all rollover-related fatalities are the result of single-vehicle crashes. While many accidents are the result of driver error, there are also a number of other causes that can lead to rollover accidents. Some of the most common causes of rollover accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Speeding
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Equipment/ parts failure
  • Poor road design

Depending on the cause of the accident, you may be entitled to compensation from one or more parties. Although a number of rollover crashes are single-vehicle crashes, many of these accidents are actually caused by another party’s negligence. For example, if another driver’s actions cause you to overcorrect to avoid a collision and you end up rolling your vehicle, the other driver may be held liable for their actions.

In some circumstances, defective parts or equipment failure may be to blame for an accident. If a defective part or design flaw in a vehicle causes a rollover accident or is to blame for serious injuries, the manufacturer of the part or vehicle could be held liable for damages. A government entity may even be liable for a rollover accident if a poorly designed road or large pothole is responsible for a serious rollover accident.

The circumstances surrounding your rollover accident will ultimately determine who can be held liable for damages. Even when only a single vehicle is involved, determining who is at fault for a rollover can be difficult. A variety of factors may be at play. Securing an experienced attorney after a rollover accident means you have a team that can thoroughly investigate and reconstruct your accident. This means that the liable parties can be established and then held accountable for the negligent actions that contributed to your accident.

Since rollover accidents can be so severe, they often lead to catastrophic injuries. Medical bills can skyrocket, and the cost of all of these bills and future medical care costs often aren’t covered in an insurance company’s first settlement offer. Whether you are going through your own insurance company or the insurance company of the at-fault party to recover compensation for your rollover accident, an attorney can help you negotiate a full and fair settlement. Insurance companies will try to get away with giving you the bare minimum possible for your claim. After an accident as serious as a rollover, the bare minimum just won’t cut it.

How An Experienced Rollover Injury Lawyer Can Help

After a serious rollover accident, you may be left fighting for your life. Every day is spent struggling to recover your physical and mental health. Do you really want to worry about trying to recover your financial health too? At Abel Law Firm, our compassionate team of personal injury lawyers will work with you to protect your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one have been hurt in a rollover accident, contact the Oklahoma City car accident team at Abel Law Firm for advice. We will review your case, lay out your legal options, and advise you on the best course of action for your particular situation. Call our office at (405) 239-7046 today to set up a free consultation.

Voted Oklahoma's Best Personal Injury Law Firm

Oklahomans across the state have recognized the Abel Law Firm's unique heritage as a statewide institution. Founded by Ed Abel, and today led by his son, Luke Abel, our personal injury law firm has become synonymous with empathy, compassion, and the highest professional performance serving our neighbors. Our family has sought to leave a profound impact upon the State of Oklahoma. We appreciate that former Governor Mary Fallin recognized that dedication when she declared May 1st "Ed Abel Day."

To be named Oklahoma's Best Personal Injury Law Firm is humbling. We are grateful to have won this prestigious honor. We work every day to earn the trust of those we serve: Oklahoma families who are facing some of the most difficulty days of their lives due to the negligence of others. It is our intention and resolve to continue to be deserving of the faith Oklahomans have placed in our family's law firm. Thank you!

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