When life takes a turn for the worse and you now have to dedicate your time and resources to your recovery, it could become a hassle fighting for the compensation you need. An experienced attorney could help you fight for your recovery. A St. Louis rollover accident lawyer can assess your claim and determine if civil litigation is the right course of action for you.
Common Trends Surrounding St. Louis Rollover Accident Scenarios
Rollover accidents can happen on highways, in rural areas, and in urban areas and they often involve speed and impact. When a vehicle is traveling at a high speed, it does not take much to cause it to lose control.
If two vehicles are traveling at a high rate of speed on a highway and one vehicle barely hits the second vehicle on the side when changing lanes, the vehicle could spin causing the vehicle to roll. When a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed rolls, there is a likelihood of the victim’s vehicle tumbling multiple times. In an urban area when vehicles are traveling at lower speeds a car may still roll over after an accident, but there is less likelihood of multiple rollovers.
Surprisingly, rollovers are also common in single-car accidents. The two most common single-vehicle rollover accidents involve a person turning at a rate of speed that is too high for the conditions and overcorrecting the vehicle. When drivers do this, the subsequent results could end with a flipped car.
Ultimately, there are two things these scenarios often always have in common: a flipped vehicle and sustained losses.
The Unique Nature of Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are not quick. In a T-bone accident, the crash takes just a matter of seconds depending upon the speed. A rollover accident takes longer because the car may continue to roll for multiple seconds before it comes to a stop on its side, top, or wheels. That makes rollover accidents different and exceptionally dangerous for those in the vehicle.
In a rollover accident, a passenger in the vehicle could suffer impact from the source of the initial hit, like in other accidents. But when the vehicle rolls, the driver and passengers are hit from every side possible. Their injuries often reflect the multiple impacts from all different sides. People are also much more likely to be thrown from the vehicle in a rollover accident than other types of crashes. When that happens, victims risk being crushed by the vehicle itself and sustaining catastrophic injuries.
In a head-on collision or T-bone collision, the airbag is triggered immediately. Airbags are designed to absorb the initial impact to lessen the injuries. When the airbags deflate after the initial impact, they are not available to absorb additional impact as the vehicle continues to roll. Individuals in rollover accidents often suffer severe injuries once the airbags have deflated, from head injuries to serious contusions and broken bones.
Preventative Measures for Rollover Accidents
A driver cannot control somebody else’s negligent conduct. To combat this, defensive driving is a must. Drivers must always be on the lookout for other people and pay attention to what other drivers are doing on the road. It is not unusual to see a driver texting when they are driving at high speeds on a highway which presents a danger to everyone.
So, how could someone protect themselves? One of the most important things a ride could do is to not ever ride with somebody who is texting and driving or is being inattentive because that behavior may result in a crash. Likewise, never ride with anyone who is driving while impaired due to alcohol or drugs. While it is impossible to fully protect yourself from other people’s negligent conduct, always wear a seatbelt, and have a car with extensive airbags if possible.
How to Avoid Rollover Accidents
A person might not be able to prevent being involved in a rollover accident when they are driving carefully down a road and a drunk driver comes from the opposite direction, crosses the line and hits their vehicle.
However, an individual may be able to avoid being involved in a rollover accident by:
- Avoiding distractions
- Driving defensively
- Driving for road and weather conditions
- Not taking corners too fast
- Driving a vehicle with a low center of gravity
- Not speeding
How to Document a Rollover Accident
After a rollover accident, you should talk to your lawyer and tell them as much as you know about what happened. It is best to document things after you have a lawyer so that communication is protected by the attorney-client privilege. You could share everything you remember and everything you have discovered about the accident since it happened.
How An Attorney Help Rollover Accident Victims
A St. Louis rollover accident attorney could be the shield between you and a claims adjuster for the individual who caused the crash. Lawyers can assist by collecting medical records for the injury victim, pursuing an investigation into the cause of the crash, and seeking compensation for their injuries.
Connect with An Experienced Legal Professional
Because of the serious nature of your crash, it could be invaluable to retain the services of an experienced legal counsel. A St. Louis rollover accident lawyer could help you seek the maximum compensation you need after sustaining a serious injury because of another driver’s negligence.