Our New York SUV Rollover Accident Lawyers Help Victims Get Fair Compensation for Their Injuries
While many claim “SUVs are generally safer than sedans,” this not entirely true. SUV’s may be larger and offer some extra protection in an accident. However, unlike ordinary passenger vehicles, many SUVs are prone to rollover accidents. SUVs have a higher center of gravity than other cars, creating additional risks. They might not be as safe as we think.
Rollover accidents are some of the deadliest crashes that drivers of SUVs and similar vehicles experience. More than 280,000 rollover accidents happen every year, resulting in approximately 10,000 fatalities annually. These frightening numbers are mainly due to the SUVs build and weight. In fact, the chances of an accident and injury increase if your SUV is loaded with cargo.
If you have been injured an SUV accident, such as a rollover, our experienced New York personal injury lawyers can help. At Levine and Wiss, PLLC, our SUV accident lawyers know what it takes to achieve success in accident cases. We have the resources to investigate your case, organize evidence, and prove that your injuries warrant fair compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are fully compensated for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries after an accident.
How Do SUV Rollover Accidents Happen?
Although any vehicle can roll over, SUVs are more prone because they have a higher ground clearance and are top-heavy. The higher center of gravity makes them inclined to topple over, especially if there is a sideways force that affects the vehicle’s balance.
For example, when a driver drives an SUV and makes a sharp turn, there is substantial outward pressure that could contribute to a rollover. The turns can create a pendulum effect, with larger swings when the driver turns back, which may lead to a loss of control and a rollover accident.
Other factors that can contribute to SUV rollover accidents are wet roads, ditches, weak brakes, tire blowouts, poor road maintenance, overloading the vehicle, poor tire tread, and failure of the vehicle’s anti-lock braking systems.
Most rollover accidents happen when the car ‘trips’ on something. Approximately 95% of rollovers result from these trips, such as a pothole, a soft roadside shoulder, or a curb. An example of this is when an SUV is driving down a highway at regular speed. If the SUV hits a pothole, the force can cause the SUV to bounce, lose control, and rollover. Rollovers often result in multi-vehicle crashes.
Victims of rollover accidents may include the SUV driver and passengers, pedestrians, and the drivers and passengers of other cars on the road. If the SUV’s rollover velocity is fast, there is a higher chance that it may travel far from the point of impact (or accident) before coming to a stop. If it rolls over several times before coming to a halt, it can easily hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
Injuries Due to SUV Rollover Accidents
Many injuries result from SUV rollover accidents. Injuries may range from mild to severe, and sadly, even death can occur. Some injuries may require months or years of treatments and can cause suffering and disability for a lifetime.
Here are some common injuries caused by SUV rollover accidents.
Broken or Fractured bones
Like other accidents, bones may be fractured in SUV accidents. A person can be impacted with a strong force, causing broken bones. The vehicle may also hit other pedestrians, also causing fractures to them as well.
Internal hemorrhage
There are times when small fragments of bones break and begin to puncture internal organs. This is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention and surgery.
Spinal cord damage
A person’s vertebrae run from his neck down to his tailbone, supporting the whole structure of the body. Because of forceful movements in an SUV rollover accident, a passenger in the SUV, or another vehicle that hit the SUV, can have his spine damaged. Spinal damage may range from slipped discs (or herniated discs), causing sciatica pain to permanent or temporary paralysis.
Paralysis
Paralysis results from damage to the spinal cord. When there is severe damage to the spinal cord, nerves within the spinal canal get severely damaged. These spinal nerves are responsible for almost all of our motor movements and even our breathing and intestinal tract.
Loss of a limb
A person involved in an SUV rollover accident may lose a limb, either through purposeful amputation or accidental dismemberment, because of the impact. The loss of a limb may also happen to pedestrians who may be hit by rolling vehicles.
Lacerations and wounds
These are the most common injuries from SUV accidents. Wounds range from mild to severe, with some requiring stitches or surgical repair.
Traumatic brain injury
Because of the sheer danger of rollover accidents, there are also some instances when the brain gets damaged. A blow to the head can cause mild concussions or even permanent brain damage that may last a lifetime and change a victim’s way of life.
Can Anyone Be Held Liable for SUV Accidents?
The short answer is yes if someone’s negligence caused the accident.
For example, suppose a tire blowout causes an SUV rollover accident, injuring its passengers and those in other vehicles. Investigators determine that the cause of the blowout was the result of a manufacturer’s defect. In this situation, the manufacturer who failed to inspect the tires’ safety or adhere to the safety standards set by law might be legally responsible for compensating the accident victims.
Negligence might also be attributable to another driver. Consider this: A sedan runs a red light, and an SUV tries to make a sharp turn to avoid a collision. The SUV rolls over and became involved in a multi-vehicle accident. In this scenario, the sedan driver who ran the red light might be liable for damages for driving negligently and causing the accident.
Depending on the circumstances of each accident, there may be someone liable for the SUV rollover accident. The SUV manufacturer, tire manufacturer, driver of the SUV, or another driver might be negligent. Our lawyers can determine who is at fault for your SUV rollover accident and seek damages from that party.
Claiming Damages for Personal Injuries Due to SUV Rollover Accidents
If you find yourself in an SUV rollover accident, as a passenger, driver, or even a pedestrian, you may be eligible to file a claim. If there is evidence of negligence, you might be entitled to collect substantial damages for your injuries.
Remember to keep all records that you have regarding the accident. If you require medical attention, make sure to keep copies of all medical records and receipts. Collecting everything ensures you have solid proof of damages should you choose to file a lawsuit for damages due to negligence.
Consulting with our New York SUV accident lawyers is a good place to start. Call our lawyers today to find out if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries after a rollover accident.
Our NY SUV Accident Lawyers Can Help You Collect Compensation
Our accident lawyers offer experience and resources needed to prove negligence when injured clients seek our help. Our lawyers can ensure that you don’t settle for less than you deserve. We can negotiate with insurance companies or file a lawsuit if necessary to obtain the fair compensation that reflects your injuries’ value.
Call our SUV accident lawyers today to protect your legal rights. Find out how we can help you seek compensation after being injured in an SUV accident.
