Rollover crashes are among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents. It is not uncommon for passengers to be ejected from a vehicle during a rollover crash, which may lead to serious injuries or death.
What Causes Rollover Crashes?
Rollover crashes actually only make up 1 percent of all crashes on public roadways, but rollover crashes comprise about one-third of all accident fatalities.
Many rollover crashes are caused by motor vehicle defects. Defects may be present in a vehicle’s design, or they may occur during its manufacture. For example, many SUVs, vans, trucks, and other large vehicles may be designed in a way that makes them very top-heavy.
If a crash occurs because the vehicle rolls over due to the uneven distribution of the vehicle’s weight, a design defect claim may be appropriate.
In other cases, the wrong types of material may be used during the manufacture of a vehicle, or certain components may be installed improperly in the vehicle. For example, if the tires are not installed properly on a vehicle, a rollover crash could occur if there is a problem with the tires.
After a rollover crash, it may be possible to file an automotive products liability claim.
ATV and UTV Rollover Crashes
All terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) are popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, teenagers, and a number of other individuals. Though these vehicles are enjoyed across the country, they can be quite dangerous. Like certain types of motor vehicles, ATVs and UTVs are especially susceptible to rollover crashes.
ATVs and UTVs are at risk for rollover accidents largely because of their design. UTVs, which are designed to have a driver and passenger sit side-by-side, are more likely than ATVs to experience rollover accidents because the body of these vehicles is narrow. In addition, they are top-heavy.
The Most Common Causes of Rollover Crashes
There are four triggers that are commonly seen in rollover crashes. These include:
- Traveling at an incline
- Turning quickly
- Spinning out after hitting an object
- Losing traction
If the vehicle has a defective design, or if a vehicle has been manufactured or assembled improperly, the vehicle is more likely to rollover during one of the above scenarios.
Legal Claims for Rollover Crashes in Texas
If you were injured in a rollover crash in Texas, it may be possible to file an automotive products liability claim if a defect in a vehicle was the cause of your injuries.
How do you know if a defect in a vehicle was the true cause of your accident? Hiring an experienced Texas automotive products liability attorney is the first step. These attorneys carefully review the evidence compiled after an accident—such as accident reports, accident reconstruction reports, photographs, eyewitness statements, and vehicle manuals—to understand how the accident occurred.
If there is evidence that the vehicle’s defective nature caused the accident, the attorney pursues an automotive products liability claim on behalf of the injured victims.
However, there are deadlines in place that limit how long injured victims have to pursue legal claims, so it is important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Compensation in a Texas Rollover Crash Claim
The amount of compensation available in a Texas rollover crash claim depends on the facts of the case. Whereas some rollover crash cases may be worth five figures, others may be worth seven figures. These claims carefully examine the victim’s damages, which may include:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of employment benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- The expenses involved with altering a home to accommodate an injury (wheelchair ramps, handrails, etc.)
- If the accident has resulted in a death, it may be possible to claim funeral and burial expenses, as well as the estimated value of the deceased’s earnings
Other types of damages may also be available. With an attorney’s assistance, all avenues of recovery will be thoroughly explored.
Contact Brooker Law, PLLC Today to Discuss Your Rollover Crash Claim
At Brooker Law, PLLC, our experienced Dallas motor vehicle accident attorneys are prepared to assist clients with their rollover crash claims, whether they involved ATVs, UTVs, SUVs, or other vehicles. We can help them obtain the money they need to move forward with their lives. To schedule a free consultation with our firm, contact or call (214) 217-0277 today.