Rollover accidents devastate lives and can result in severe injuries or fatalities. These accidents have dire consequences, with their unique and violent crash dynamics like ejection risks, roof collapse, and multiple impacts. Speed, vehicle type, road conditions, and driver behavior increase the risk of life-altering injuries. If you or someone close to you has been a victim of a rollover accident, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Families are burdened with the significant costs of medical bills, lost income, and, in unfortunate circumstances, the death of a loved one.

Should you find yourself in this situation, you can sue to recover damages for your personal injury or other financial hardships. You can also pursue a wrongful death claim if you have lost family members. This will help you hold the responsible parties accountable and gain some relief for the future.

Understanding what a car rollover accident is, coupled with the help of a personal injury attorney, will help you navigate the challenges many face in pursuing compensation. This article covers everything you need to know about rollover accidents.

What is a Car Rollover Accident?

A rollover accident occurs when your vehicle flips onto its side or roof, usually flipping several times and stopping only after it has rolled over. These crashes most commonly occur in high-profile vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans with a higher center of gravity. Sharp turns, high speeds, swerving at the last second to miss an obstacle, or simply losing control on an uneven road can all be to blame for most rollovers.

Rollovers fall into two main types:

Tripped Car Rollover Accident

A tripped rollover car accident occurs when an external factor causes the vehicle to fall out of balance and rollover. This can happen if your car collides with objects like a guardrail, curb, or uneven road surface. When a vehicle suddenly hits these obstacles or encounters resistance, the tires catch or sink, and the vehicle tips over.

Tripped rollovers often occur when driving at high speeds, making sharp turns, or hitting unexpected obstacles on the road. Examples of these crashes include:

  • Soft-soil rollovers
  • Slope rollovers
  • Guardrail collisions

In soft-soil tripped rollovers, your vehicle’s tires sink into loose terrain like dirt, mud, or sand. When the wheels encounter sudden resistance to the soft ground, your vehicle’s forward momentum shifts sharply, resulting in a tip and roll. This rollover usually happens on an unpaved road, rural path, or construction site with unstable terrain. The risk of a rollover significantly increases when your vehicle loses balance on these surfaces.

On the other hand, your vehicle becomes vulnerable to slope rollovers when driving on a steep incline, whether it is a hill, an embankment, or the shoulder of a road. Gravity works opposite a vehicle's weight distribution for taller vehicles like SUVs and vans. This imbalance also results in the car leaning and eventually tipping over, even at lower speeds. For example, slope rollovers happen frequently in mountainous areas or on roads with little leveling, where the angles can lead to a rollover.

Rollovers resulting from guardrail or object-tripped collisions occur when your vehicle runs into a rigid object like a guardrail, curb, or another car. The impact will cause your vehicle to flip because it disrupts your vehicle’s motion and balance. These accidents are common on narrow roads or in cases where you have to make a sudden lane change. These rollovers occur when curbs or barriers are close to the vehicle's path. The collision's speed and angle significantly affect how easily the car can roll after impact.

Untripped Car Rollover Accident

Untripped rollovers, however, occur without hitting any object. Instead, they are caused by internal factors such as:

  • Driving at high speeds
  • Incorrectly navigating a sharp turn
  • Poor weight distribution

A vehicle with a high center of gravity will tip over easily when forced to make a sudden maneuver at high speeds. Often, untripped rollovers result from driver error, like driving off the road in a turn or on a slick or uneven road.

How Rollover Accidents Stack Up Against Other Types of Crashes

The 2021 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data shows critical trends in passenger vehicle fatalities. The deadliest were head-on collisions, which cost 15,744 lives. However, these crashes are devastating because they are often two vehicles crashing into each other head-on at high speed, doing significant damage, and they are fatal.

An additional 3,596 deaths occurred in rollover accidents, either in a single vehicle or with other contributing factors. Rollover crashes are especially dangerous because the car flips over and increases the risk of injury. In contrast, rear-end collisions resulted in 1,423 fatalities. Rear-end crashes are not as severe as head-on or rollover accidents, but they still claim many lives.

A significant portion of the fatalities in head-on collisions were from these events if we were looking specifically at single-vehicle accidents like rollovers and other types of crashes. 3,257 deaths were due to rollover crashes, and 6,702 were due to different kinds of single-vehicle accidents of the total. That is a testament to how dangerous a collision involving only one vehicle can be, even without another car being involved.

The data excludes fatalities from crashes involving commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks or utility vans. Thus, the true scope of traffic-related deaths is probably even greater.

How Car Rollover Accidents Occur

Where negligence is involved, specific actions lead to the accident. Here are some examples of negligent behavior:

  • Speeding — Driving too fast or above the speed limit will reduce a driver’s ability to maintain control, especially on curves or imperfections in the road. The car is more likely to lose balance, increasing the likelihood of a rollover.
  • Unsafe lane changes — Abrupt or unplanned lane changes without checking mirrors or signaling can destabilize the vehicle. The vehicle can turn sharply or overcorrect, resulting in a flip if the center of gravity is higher.
  • Driving under the influence — Operating a vehicle while intoxicated makes it challenging to make decisions and to react quickly. An impaired driver is more likely to miss a turn or have difficulty responding swiftly to hazards, increasing the risk of a rollover.
  • Failure to maintain the vehicle — When you neglect vehicle maintenance, like not checking tire pressure, not replacing worn-out tires, or ignoring brake issues, you increase the risk of suffering a rollover accident. This can cause you to lose control and, consequently, a rollover accident.
  • Defective vehicle design or manufacturing — Sometimes, a rollover occurs because of the vehicle’s design or a manufacturing defect. Cars with a high center of gravity or poor stability control systems may be more likely to tip over. If the defect contributed to the rollover, the manufacturer might be found to have caused the accident.

Rollover accidents are not always caused by negligence. In other cases, the vehicle's design plays a role. It is common for SUVs and other vehicles with a high center of gravity to tip over under sharp turns and uneven terrain, even when the driver is cautious. Despite good driving, these vehicles are less stable, and rollovers are more likely.

Environmental factors also cause rollovers. Heavy rain, snow, ice, or generally bad weather increase the chances of losing control, reducing traction and making roads slippery. Drivers can be caught off-guard when encountering sudden road hazards like potholes, debris, or a changing road surface. Also, in larger, taller vehicles, gusts of wind can push a car off course and flip it if driving at high speeds.

Potential Injuries Common in Rollover Accidents

If you are in a rollover accident, you could suffer a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor to life-threatening, depending on the severity of the crash and other factors. The violent motion and force exerted during the rollover can lead to the following injuries:

  • Head and brain injuries — Impact can be so sudden that your head hits hard surfaces inside the vehicle or hard objects outside, causing concussions, skull fractures, or severe brain trauma. These injuries can lead to long-term cognitive disabilities, memory loss, or changes in behavior.
  • Spinal cord injuries — Rollover accidents can generate extreme pressure on your spinal cord to fracture your vertebrae, herniate your discs, or cause permanent paralysis. Sensory or motor loss to the nerves can be damaged, severely limiting mobility and independence.
  • Neck and back Injuries — A rollover can cause a forceful motion that strains, misaligns, or permanently damages the cervical spine. Back surgeries, like slipped discs or fractures, can lead to long-term pain or immobility.
  • Broken bones and fractures — The impact can be so intense that it causes fractures of the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis. You could suffer complex fractures if bones break apart into multiple pieces. You may need repeated surgery, lengthy rehabilitation, or a lifelong impairment.
  • Internal injuries — The rollover force can damage vital organs, including your liver, kidneys, or spleen. Not all injuries are immediately apparent. You could suffer internal injuries, for example, bleeding or organ failure, that can be life-threatening and need urgent treatment.
  • Lacerations and soft tissue damage — Shattered glass, debris, or objects inside the vehicle cause deep cuts and abrasions. Injuries covered by these can be as simple as superficial wounds to more serious lacerations, which will need to be stitched. Soft tissue damage, like tears in ligaments or muscles, can result in ongoing pain or mobility challenges.
  • Chest and rib injuries — A rollover can be violent enough to have you hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or seatbelt, causing rib fractures or chest injuries. Broken ribs could puncture lungs or vital organs and cause pain and internal damage. This could make it difficult to breathe.
  • Psychological trauma — A rollover accident can be more than just physical injuries. This type of traumatic event can cause anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), require therapy, and may even impair your ability to function in everyday life.

How Auto Insurance Covers Rollover Accidents

The type of auto insurance coverage that comes into effect when you are involved in a rollover accident varies.

If your car was damaged in the rollover because of another driver’s negligence, their liability insurance should pay. This coverage pays for damage to your property, medical expenses, and other losses you suffer when someone else is at fault. Because the other driver’s policy could also be responsible for compensation for personal injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills, you may be entitled to this compensation in the other driver’s policy.

Your insurance will cover the resulting expenses when there is a single-vehicle rollover accident. Comprehensive coverage will cover the damages to your vehicle. Typically, comprehensive coverage covers accidents regardless of fault. However, if your policy only covers liability insurance, you will be on the hook for repairing your car. Liability insurance only covers damages to other vehicles or property, not your own. As a result, the type of insurance you have will dictate how much financial responsibility you will have after a rollover accident.

How to Prevent Rollover Accidents

Precautions can prevent many rollover accidents, and taking them can greatly reduce the risks and the severity of their outcomes. Both driver behavior and vehicle maintenance help minimize the chances of a rollover.

The following are key strategies to prevent yourself from being a statistic and get yourself out of potentially devastating rollover accidents.

Driver Behavior

When it comes to your behavior, you should consider the following:

  • Buckle up — The best way to protect yourself in a rollover accident is to wear your seatbelt. It keeps you in your seat and prevents ejection, significantly reducing the risk of severe injury or death. Research consistently shows that seatbelts save lives.
  • Minimize distractions — Using a phone, eating, or adjusting car systems can also prevent you from reacting to sudden road hazards. Focus on driving with both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. In high-risk situations where a rollover is possible, avoiding distractions can help keep you in better control of your vehicle.
  • Drive defensively — Driving defensively means knowing and preparing for potential hazards. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, slow down for road conditions, and remain alert for sudden traffic movements. Defensive driving allows you to react at a moment's notice to emergencies. It helps you avoid rollover accidents when you try to avoid a collision or misjudge the actions of other drivers.
  • Control your speed — Without exception, excessive speed increases the chance of a rollover on curves, sharp turns, or any place with a sharp turn. If you are driving too fast, you will lose control, and vehicles with a higher center of gravity, like SUVs, are especially prone to tipping. Stick to the speed limit and adjust your speed per road condition, like uneven roads, wet roads, and sharp curves.
  • Be cautious on unfamiliar roads — Exercise extra caution when driving on unfamiliar roads. Winding roads, gravel paths, and unknown terrain can catch you off guard and lead to losing control. Be slow and pay attention to the road. Research the road ahead or use a GPS app to familiarize yourself with the route before you start your trip.
  • Avoid overloading your vehicle — Driving on rough terrain or turning with excessive weight in your car compromises its stability. Raising the vehicle’s center of gravity through a heavyweight predisposes it to tipping. Stick with the vehicle weight limit and do not load too much bulky or extra cargo. Overloading can also cause tires, brakes, and suspensions to wear out much sooner than they should, making the vehicle less stable.

Vehicle Maintenance

There are specific considerations you also have to factor in about your vehicle. These include the following:

  • Routine vehicle inspections — Regular maintenance is crucial to keeping your vehicle running as it should and preventing mechanical failures that could inevitably lead to a rollover. Check all the critical components, like brakes and steering systems. Replace worn-out brakes or faulty suspension systems to keep vehicle safety intact.
  • Tire care — Your first connection to the road is your tires. Their condition directly affects vehicle stability. Having the right tires inflated properly helps with grip. Tires with low inflation have a higher risk of bursting, and those with too high are less in contact with the road. Keep your tires properly inflated as indicated by your vehicle’s manufacturer, and check the tire’s treads for damage often to provide the best level of safety for yourself and others as you operate during different driving situations.
  • Wheel alignment — Misaligned wheels can cause uneven tire wear and handling problems. Wheel alignment ensures your tires stay in good, straight contact with the road, allowing better handling and stability. A wrong combination will reduce handling and reduce the risk of rollovers, especially on sharp turns or high-speed riding. Regular checkups will ensure you do not get caught with these issues.
  • Ensure Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is functional — Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is a modern safety system that helps prevent skidding and loss of vehicle control in challenging driving conditions. If your car is equipped with VSC, ensure it functions properly. VSC is a means of applying individual brakes to several specific wheels to prevent a skid. It also helps keep the car stable or controlled in critical situations, which could lead to a rollover. This system is vital and should be checked and kept up to code for safety.

Find a Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

If you have been in a rollover accident, you need to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Rollovers can cause serious physical harm, emotional distress, and significant financial burdens. Like in all other cases, consulting a seasoned personal injury attorney will help you land the guidance, assistance, and support you require to get fair compensation. Since the complex details you need to deal with include establishing liability, negotiating insurance, and dealing with third-party claims, they will be handled by an experienced lawyer.

We at the San Diego Personal Injury Law Firm stand by accident victims through every stage of the legal process. We will fight for you and the compensation you deserve with our expertise and dedication to our roller-over cases and the unique challenges they present. For a free consultation, call us today at 619-478-4059 and take a decisive step toward justice and financial recovery.