Vehicle rollovers account for a small fraction of auto accidents but cause nearly one-third of all motor vehicle accident fatalities. The risk of dying in a rollover accident increases exponentially when a driver or passenger is ejected from their vehicle. In fact, vehicle ejections are responsible for two-thirds of all rollover accident fatalities.
Motorists in Santa Rosa must know that their vehicle poses a risk for overturning, especially when they take turns at high speeds, don’t slow down before making sharp turns, or fail to keep a proper lookout for hazards in the road on which the vehicle’s tire could trip. When a driver’s negligence causes a vehicle rollover accident in Santa Rosa, they have to be held accountable.
The Santa Rosa car accident lawyers at Singleton Schreiber are fierce advocates for rollover crash victims. If you’ve been injured or have suffered the wrongful death of a close family member in a recent rollover collision, now’s the time to call our award-winning Santa Rosa personal injury lawyers for help.
As nationally acclaimed civil trial attorneys with decades of collective experience, we’ve helped clients recover more than $3 Billion in settlements and jury awards. Let us take on the driver who caused your rollover accident, their insurance company, and anyone else who might attempt to stand between the compensation you need to move on with your life. We’ll do everything we can to make things right.
Your first consultation is free. Contact our Santa Rosa law office for assistance today.
What Causes a Vehicle to Overturn?
There are two primary factors at play in a rollover car accident: lateral force and a vehicle’s center of gravity. A vehicle is susceptible to rolling over when a tremendous lateral force is applied. The sideways force causes a shift in the vehicle’s center of gravity, causing it to become unstable. The balance of the vehicle’s weight shifts, causing the vehicle to overturn.
While any vehicle can potentially overturn under the right circumstances, vehicles with particularly high centers of gravity are most susceptible. These include SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans. The higher the vehicle’s center of gravity, the easier it is to shift the vehicle’s balance.
What can cause lateral force and a shift in a vehicle’s center of gravity?
Some of the most common causes of rollovers include:
- Speeding up or failing to slow down when approaching curves on a highway, and
- Executing sharp turns without reducing a vehicle’s speed.
In these scenarios, sharp turns or swerves at high speeds throw the vehicle off balance.
Vehicle rollovers can also occur when the tire trips on a hazard on the road’s surface. When the vehicle’s tire strikes an object - like a pothole, a curb, or even a piece of debris - it loses traction and can make it difficult for the driver to maintain control. The vehicle can begin to move sideways, exerting additional lateral force that becomes unmanageable. In some situations, the vehicle may tip on its side, overturn, or roll several times before coming to a complete stop.
What Driving Behaviors Can Contribute to Vehicle Rollovers in Santa Rosa?
Many times, rollover car accidents can be avoided. Most rollovers are the result of human error, or negligence, or auto defects.
Some of the most commonly cited causes of vehicle rollovers in Santa Rosa include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drugged driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Following too closely
- Braking errors
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Illegal turns
Anything that might cause a driver to swerve or make sharp, sudden movements can potentially increase the risk of a rollover, especially if the vehicle has a high center of gravity.
What Are Common Rollover Accident Injuries?
In 2023, 11 rollover accidents were reported in Santa Rosa, California. While no fatalities were reported, at least 13 people were injured in these collisions.
It’s common for rollover accident victims to suffer catastrophic injuries, including, but not limited to:
- Nerve damage
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injury
- Neck injury
- Paralysis
- Chest injury
- Crush injury
- Amputation injury
- Soft tissue injury
- Bruising and contusions
- Bone fractures
- Burn injury
- Wrongful death
Don’t underestimate the potential severity of a rollover accident. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of serious injuries can be delayed, especially if you’ve experienced shock from being in such a violent accident. Make sure to report your rollover to the local Santa Rosa Police Department, seek timely medical treatment at the closest emergency room, and then call the top-rated legal team at Singleton Schreiber for assistance.
How Much is My Rollover Accident Claim Worth?
Rollover accidents can cause serious physical injuries. The severity of the injuries you sustain in a crash can directly influence how much money you might be able to recover through an insurance claim or car accident lawsuit.
It’ll be important to weigh the following factors when calculating what your rollover car accident case is worth:
- The type of medical treatment required to help you recover from your rollover accident injuries
- The length of time you’ll miss at work after the rollover
- Shared fault or responsibility for the rollover crash
- Your age and earning capacity
- Steps taken to mitigate your damages after your vehicle overturned
- Available insurance coverage and policy limits
Working with an experienced California car accident attorney in Santa Rosa can also help you maximize your financial recovery. Rollover crash victims in Santa Rosa turn to Singleton Schreiber for help with these incredibly difficult cases.
Call Singleton Schreiber For Help After a Vehicle Rollover Accident in Santa Rosa, CA
Focus on recovering from your rollover accident injuries and count on Singleton Schreiber’s top-rated legal team to lead your fight for compensation.
When we take your case, you’ll be able to rely on our local litigators to invest national resources into your case to:
- Investigate the underlying circumstances of your rollover crash
- Gather key evidence, such as dashcam footage, witness statements, forensics reports, and property damage
- Consult expert witnesses whose insight can be instrumental in helping you recover maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering
- Build a winning legal claim that forces the party responsible for your rollover crash to make you a fair settlement offer
- Fight for your best interests at trial, if and when that’s necessary
You’ll have a limited time to demand compensation after a rollover crash in California, so call our top-rated Santa Rosa car accident attorneys for help today. There’s absolutely no charge for an initial case evaluation with our skilled legal team.
