Kansas City Rollover Accident Lawyer

A rollover accident is one in which a vehicle flips, or rolls, sideways, forward, or backward. When a vehicle rolls over, it increases the risk of serious injuries and deaths to the driver and passenger. Although vehicle manufacturers design cabs to withstand rollovers, occupants may still suffer crush injuries, traumatic amputations, or ejection-related injuries. Rollovers have many common causes and potential defendants. Come to our law firm in Kansas City for high-quality legal representation by top-rated personal injury lawyers.

What Causes a Vehicle to Rollover?

Vehicle rollovers are often preventable with the right precautions and safe-driving techniques. The majority of rollovers are single-vehicle incidents, where the driver, a defective vehicle part, or a dangerous roadway causes the car to flip or roll. In two-vehicle crashes, a car may roll over when another strikes it a certain way. After a rollover, victims will need to assign fault to pursue compensation. There are many potential causes for rollover accidents, leading to different defendants. A few common reasons include:

• Speeding. Driving too fast for conditions is a recipe for a major car accident, especially when the roads are wet. Speeding around curves can easily lead to rollovers. Rollovers involving speeding are more likely to be fatal than non-speed related crashes.
• Vehicle “tripping” on something. A curb or pothole can “trip” a car, causing it to lose control and roll forward or sideways. Data shows that about 95% of single-vehicle rollover accidents occur due to tripping.
• Alcohol impairment. Impaired drivers can suffer from a lack of judgment and poor reaction time. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to jerk the wheel or perform other unsafe maneuvers that can lead to rollovers.
• Location of the road. Rural roads tend not to have barriers that stop cars if they lose control. For this reason, cars traveling on rural roads (especially those with speed limits of 55 miles per hour or higher) are more inclined to rollover.
• Type of vehicle. Some cars are more inclined to roll over than others. Taller vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs have higher centers of gravity and are top-heavy. This can make them more susceptible to rollovers than other vehicles.
• Tire blowouts. Defective tires can wear down faster than ordinary tires, leading to a dangerous blowout. A tire blowout in the wrong circumstances can cause a car to roll over, especially if the car runs off of the road.

Defendants in a rollover accident case may include another driver, part manufacturer, or the entity in charge of roadway maintenance. The Kansas City municipal government may be to blame for your rollover if a dangerous roadway condition caused the crash. For example, if Kansas City knew about a pothole but did nothing to fix the situation, then the pothole tripped your car and made it rollover, you may have a case.

Types of Vehicle Rollovers

Vehicle rollovers are typically classified into one of two categories: tripped and un-tripped. Tripped rollovers are caused by an external object such as a collision with another vehicle or a curb. An untripped rollover is caused by cornering forces that destabilize the vehicle, such as friction with the ground or steering input. Between these two categories, there are several types of vehicle rollovers that can cause serious injuries, such as:

• Soft soil
• Guard-rail
• Steep slope
• Curbs
• Snowbanks
• Uneven pavement

Common Injuries in a Vehicle Rollover Accident

Car accident injuries vary in severity depending on how strong the impact is. It’s common for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians to suffer from broken bones, brain injuries, spinal injuries, and more. Even if a victim of a car accident doesn’t feel pain immediately, it’s important for them to get checked out immediately by a medical professional. A personal injury attorney in Kansas City can help determine what your next steps should be.

What Vehicles are Prone to Rollover Accidents?

The make and model of a vehicle can significantly increase the likelihood of rollover accidents happening, along with if it would be able to protect the driver through an accident. While all vehicles are susceptible to rollover accidents, the tendency to roll over can increase when it comes to speed, a center of mass, steering sensitivity, and the narrowness of the axle track. In many cases, SUVs and full-size vans are commonly seen in rollover accidents.

Speak to a Kansas City Rollover Accident Attorney

Suing Kansas City is possible, but it’s not easy. It requires certain deadlines and rules for filing. Going up against insurance companies or other parties can also take a toll on you, especially if you’re also nursing serious injuries. Always seek help from a Kansas City rollover accident attorney after a harmful rollover. For more information about rollover accident claims, speak to our Kansas City injury lawyers at Wendt Law Firm P.C. during a free case evaluation.