Given the nature of rollover collisions, it’s not surprising that they’re one of the leading causes of severe injury and death in crash victims. While rollovers only account for about 2.5 percent of all car accidents annually, they cause 30 percent of all traffic accident fatalities.
According to state crash data, there were 73 rollover collisions in Sacramento, California, in 2023, which represented 41 percent of all overturned vehicle accidents in Sacramento County that year.
If you’ve been injured in a vehicle rollover accident in Sacramento, it’s important to consider your legal rights. As a victim, you deserve to be compensated for your costly medical bills, loss of income, and suffering. An award-winning Sacramento car accident lawyer at Singleton Schreiber can help you explore your options and fight for a maximum financial recovery.
What Causes Rollover Accidents?
While there are several reasons why a vehicle can potentially roll over, there are two primary causes: trips and high-speed turns.
A rollover is likely to occur when a vehicle’s tire “trips” on a hazard on the road surface - such as a curb, pothole, or piece of debris. When the tire strikes the object, the vehicle experiences an increase in lateral force, which causes it to roll. A driver might “trip” on a hazard because they fail to see it because they’re distracted, drunk, or drowsy.
Vehicle rollovers are also common when a vehicle makes a sharp turn at a high rate of speed. If a vehicle doesn’t slow down before turning, it can destabilize and roll. High-speed rollovers are most likely to occur when a motorist is driving aggressively or becomes distracted at the wheel.
Any vehicle has the potential to roll over in an accident, but these collisions are most often seen with SUVs, light trucks, and other vehicles with high centers of gravity. You can learn about how likely your vehicle is to overturn in an accident by checking out its Rollover Resistance Rating.
Rollover Collisions Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
When a rollover isn’t deadly, it can leave victims to struggle with painful, debilitating injuries. Injuries to the head, neck, and spine account for 60 percent of all rollover accident injuries.
These can cause:
- Limited motor function
- Paralysis
- Chronic physical pain
- Nerve damage
- Brain injuries
- Eye injuries
Crash victims who suffer these catastrophic injuries are likely to incur costly medical bills - both now and in the future - and find themselves unable to return to work in the same capacity. These injuries can also interfere with a person’s ability to engage in their favorite hobbies and activities, resulting in a reduced ability to enjoy their downtime.
When someone causes a rollover accident because they’re negligent, they have to be held fully accountable for resulting injuries or wrongful deaths. Our car accident attorneys in Sacramento can help you and your family after an unexpected rollover. You’ll have a limited time to take legal action, so don’t hesitate to call our Sacramento injury attorneys to discuss your case for free today.
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