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Woman suffering catastrophic injuries following an automobile accident
Attorneys for Rollover Car Crashes and Injuries in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Car crashes in which a vehicle turns over onto its side or roof can be very dangerous, and they may result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful deaths. When a vehicle turns over or rolls multiple times, the occupants can be thrown around violently inside the car, or they may even be ejected entirely. These accidents are particularly devastating because of the crushing forces involved and the potential for roof collapses, flying debris, and fires.
People who have been injured in rollover accidents will need to understand their rights and the steps they can take to recover compensation from the parties that were responsible for their harm. At Schwartz Injury Law, our Arlington Heights car accident attorneys can provide crucial assistance to victims of rollover crashes. We conduct thorough investigations to identify all liable parties, and we advocate for full financial recovery for our clients so that they will have the resources they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
Why Do Rollover Accidents Occur?
Cars may roll over due to driver behavior, road conditions, vehicle characteristics, and other factors. Some common causes of rollover crashes include:
- Sharp Turns at High Speeds: Drivers who take curves too fast can cause their vehicles to tip and roll. Top-heavy SUVs, vans, and trucks will be more likely to turn over in these situations.
- Tripping on Objects or Uneven Surfaces: When a vehicle strikes a curb, median, or pothole at a high speed, it may become destabilized, leading to a rollover.
- Collision Forces: A side-impact crash from another vehicle can cause the struck vehicle to roll over. This type of accident can occur when a larger vehicle strikes a smaller vehicle while traveling at a high speed.
- Defective Vehicle Design: Some vehicles are more likely to roll over due to a high center of gravity or other issues. For example, defective tires may blow out, making a vehicle more likely to tip over.
Injuries Resulting From Rollover Crashes
The violent nature of rollover accidents can lead to severe injuries. Victims may experience multiple forms of bodily harm, including:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: A person who hits their head on the roof, windows, or frame of a vehicle can experience injuries to the brain. Flying debris may also strike a person on the head and inflict serious injuries.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The wrenching motion a person may experience when they are thrown around the interior of a vehicle can damage the nerves in the spinal cord, potentially resulting in paralysis.
- Broken Bones and Crush Injuries: Fractures may occur in multiple parts of the body due to the impact of a collision. When the roof or frame of a vehicle is crushed, different body parts may be trapped, leading to severe fractures or amputations.
- Severe Lacerations: Broken glass and metal fragments can cause cuts that may lead to serious blood loss or infections.
- Serious Burns: After rolling over, gasoline may spill near a vehicle and catch fire, putting a vehicle's occupants at risk of severe or life-threatening burn injuries.
Who May Be Held Liable for Rollover Accidents?
Determining liability for a rollover crash often requires a detailed investigation. Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Negligent Drivers: A driver's reckless or careless actions may lead to the rollover. For example, an aggressive driver may force another vehicle off the road, causing it to turn over after it leaves the pavement.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: If a design defect, such as a high center of gravity or weak roof supports, contributed to a rollover accident or worsened the injuries experienced by victims, the manufacturer may bear responsibility, and they may be held liable through a product liability claim.
- Government Entities: When poorly maintained roads, missing signs, abrupt edges, or other safety issues on the road led to a rollover accident, a municipality may be held liable for the crash.
- Commercial Vehicle Operators or Their Employers: Truck accidents involving rollovers can be especially dangerous, and a truck driver or trucking company may be held responsible for negligence that led to a collision.
Contact Our Arlington Heights Rollover Accident Attorneys
After a rollover crash, a full investigation will need to be performed to identify the liable parties and ensure that victims can recover compensation. At Schwartz Injury Law, our attorneys work with clients to make sure they will be able to move forward from these difficult situations. Contact our Arlington Heights, IL rollover car accident lawyers at 847-582-0157 and arrange a free consultation with our team.