An overturned sedan at the side of the road after a rollover accident.If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle rollover accident, you do not have to face the financial burden of the accident yourself. In fact, you may be entitled to compensation from the liable party for your injuries.

In order to fully understand your rights in a case like this, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Bridgeport vehicle rollover accident attorney. A seasoned attorney will work to educate you on your rights, advise you on legal strategy, and allow you to focus on your rest and recovery from your accidents.

Bert McDowell and all of Bert McDowell Injury Law want to help you during this difficult time. Instead of having to navigate an injury claim by yourself, allow us to help guide you.

We will meet with you, listen to the details of your case, and work to devise a legal strategy tailored to you. Our efforts are designed to give you the best chance possible at recovering from your accident and getting your life back on track.

To start, either call us at (203) 590-9169 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case review. We can’t wait to start working and fighting for you and your family.

Bridgeport Vehicle Rollover Accident Attorney

Though rollover accidents are not the most common accident type, making up only about 14% of fatality accidents in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), they still occur regularly. When they do, they can have drastic effects on the lives of the people involved.

Rollover accidents can be particularly dangerous, as many cars are not designed to withstand the crushing forces of being turned on their roof, leaving the probability of sustaining serious injuries higher than many other accident types.

The time immediately after a serious accident can be scary and confusing, and it can be hard to know where to turn. You deserve to be able to focus all your time and attention on yourself and your family, which you can’t do if you are trying to figure everything out on your own.

Fortunately, that is not something that you have to do. If you hire an experienced Bridgeport rollover accident attorney, you will have someone on your side every step of the way. Having an accident attorney can help give you peace of mind as you focus on your recovery.

Seeking the help of an accident attorney can be beneficial for a myriad of reasons. Some of these reasons include:

    • Statute of Limitations — You only have a limited amount of time in which to file a lawsuit or injury claim, and if you wait too late, you will no longer be eligible for compensation. Hiring a lawyer shortly after your accident ensures that you won’t miss your window of eligibility.
  • Insurance Companies — Insurance companies know that many people are not regularly involved in serious accidents, and they often count on your unfamiliarity with the process when they offer you a settlement check. Having an attorney to represent your interests when dealing with the insurance company helps ensure that you are not getting taken advantage of by insurance companies and their lawyers.
  • Accident Causes — Even if you think you know what caused the wreck or why it happened, an attorney has the tools and team necessary to investigate the accident fully. There may have been factors coming into play that you didn’t know to consider, and there may be more than one responsible party for the accident. Having an attorney working for you ensures that no stones are left unturned when it comes to finding compensation for your injuries.
  • Determining Liability — Others may try to blame you for the accident happening, and having an attorney on your side means that the accident will be fully investigated. Otherwise, their blame may limit or prevent your ability to recover any compensation.
  • Going to Court — Having an attorney on your side means that there is a real chance that your case could get taken to court, which is not something that any insurance company wants. An attorney ensures that the insurance company is taking you and your injuries seriously and will give you the best chance at receiving a fair settlement offer or a jury award if they refuse to accept liability.

If you’ve been injured in a vehicle rollover accident in Bridgeport, reach out to Bert McDowell Injury Law today to ensure that you receive all the benefits that accompany being represented by an experienced attorney. We look forward to hearing from you.

What Vehicles Are Most Likely to Rollover?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), some vehicles are more likely to experience rollovers than others. Pickup trucks and SUVs have a higher rate of rollovers than other vehicles due to the fact that they typically have narrower frames and a taller height, which impacts their center of gravity.

This is supported by the data. Rollover crashes accounted for 21% of occupant deaths in cars, 40% in pickups, and 38% in SUVs in 2021 alone.

When vehicles roll, the likelihood that one of their occupants is ejected from the car increases, which is one reason that rollover accidents are more likely to result in a fatality than other types of accidents. Though trucks and SUVs are at a higher risk for turnover accidents, their passengers are less likely to die in multi-vehicle collisions, which is due to the heavier weight of heavy-duty vehicles.

The contributing role of a vehicle’s design or manufacturing flaws could come into play during a rollover accident injury claim. Your Bridgeport personal injury attorney will help you evaluate all factors and determine who could be considered at fault for the injuries you have suffered.

Common Causes of Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle rolls over several times, rolls onto its side, lands on its front or rear, or rolls over or lands on the roof.

A majority of these accidents occur because the center of gravity of the vehicle shifts. Some common causes of these serious accidents are:

  • Trips — Trips are the leading reason why rollover accidents occur. A trip occurs when a vehicle’s tire hits an obstacle in the road, and its forward movement is disrupted. Common tripping hazards include potholes, uneven payment, and debris in the road.
  • Side-Impact Collisions — If a vehicle is hit from the side with enough force, it may cause the vehicle to tip over to its side. If the force is strong enough, it may cause the vehicle to flip several times.
  • Sharp Turns — If a vehicle makes a sharp enough turn, especially while traveling at high or dangerous speeds, it can cause a vehicle to tip over and lose balance.
  • Excess Tire Grip — Though it seems counterintuitive if tires have excessive grip, they are likely to cause sideways force to build, which can ultimately lead to a vehicle tipping over.
  • Road Departures — In accidents where a vehicle goes over the guardrails or otherwise exits the road, it is at risk of a rollover, especially if there are steep inclines involved.

What Collisions Can Lead to Rollover Accidents?

In 2021, a total of 7,640 passenger vehicle occupants died in rollover crashes. The statistics from the IIHS show that:

  • 46% of all rollover fatalities in 2021 were caused by frontal impact collisions
  • 15% of rollover fatalities resulted from side-impact collisions
  • 4% of fatalities were caused by rear-impact collisions

However, almost a quarter (24%) of all rollover accidents resulting in a fatality occurred as a result of no pre-rollover impact, which means that these rollovers were likely caused by “tripping,” vehicle defects, or other driver errors.

What Injuries Are Common in a Rollover Accident?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 2 million car accident injuries in the United States each year. Though the injuries in car accidents can vary widely, some of the most common injuries include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Neck Injuries
  • Broken Bones
  • Contusions and Lacerations
  • Internal Injuries and Bleeding

If you have been involved in a rollover car accident, even if you believe that you are uninjured, one of the most important things that you can do for yourself is to see a medical professional. Doctors are familiar with car accident injuries and know what to look for, and they may be able to diagnose injuries that you didn’t even know that you had.

Early intervention is best for car accident injuries, and it can save your life. Additionally, having a medical record that ties your injuries to the accident in question strengthens your allegations of fault. Without this proof, the liable party may try to argue that you sustained the injuries elsewhere and, therefore, they are not liable for that compensation.

Bridgeport Vehicle Rollover Accident Law Firm

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Bridgeport vehicle rollover accident, you are not alone. Contact an experienced car crash attorney today to hear about your rights and receive guidance about what next steps are right for you and your family.

Bert McDowell has a demonstrated record of working for accident victims across the state of Connecticut. He and his team work tirelessly to give their clients the best chance at recovering the compensation they deserve. Bert McDowell Injury Law is so confident that they can help you that they do not get paid unless they are successful in fighting for you.

Don’t rely on greedy insurance companies to offer you a settlement that will cover all of your financial needs — instead, reach out to Bert McDowell Injury Law to set up your free case review when you call us at (203) 590-9169, fill out our online contact form. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin fighting for you.