If you have been in a rollover accident, you know it is a terrifying experience. This type of crash can cause catastrophic vehicle damage and serious, life-altering injuries. Rollover accidents also account for around 35 percent of all passenger vehicle crash deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
A variety of factors can contribute to a rollover accident, including the condition of the roadway, the actions of another driver, or problems with the vehicle itself. If another party’s negligence caused your accident, they should take financial responsibility for the resulting harm. A Sarasota car accident lawyer with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help. Call us today.
Rollover Accident Liability
Rollover accidents are categorized as tripped or untripped. The majority of tripped accidents involve a single-vehicle rollover. The cause of this type of crash is usually a condition with the roadway or something in the roadway. For example, “soft” shoulders, guardrails, steep slopes, tight curves, snowbanks, and curbs can all cause tripping. If an issue with the roadway’s maintenance or design caused your accident, the party responsible for the road could be liable for your injuries.
However, road conditions may not be the only factor in a rollover. Sometimes, drivers are forced to make a defensive maneuver because of another motorist’s reckless driving. For example, another driver may have contributed to your rollover if they forced you to drive onto the shoulder or abruptly change lanes. Of course, rollovers can also occur when two vehicles collide. If another driver was driving dangerously, breaking traffic laws, driving drunk, or committing some other violation, they might owe you compensation for your accident.
A vehicle manufacturer could be liable for your rollover if a vehicle parts defect or design defect led to your crash. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pickup trucks, and vans can be more prone to rolling over because of their high centers of gravity. Faulty tires and brakes may also contribute to rollover crashes. If vehicle problems were a cause of your crash, a Sarasota rollover accident lawyer might be able to help you with a product liability case against the maker of the vehicle or its parts.
Rollover Accidents Can Cause Serious and Lasting Injuries
Vehicle accidents can cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Common car accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Arm and leg injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Head injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Chest injuries
- Severe cuts and bruises
Some of these injuries may heal over time, but others can leave lasting physical and mental damage. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, while a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may lead to irreversible cognitive deficiencies. Even whiplash can have long-term effects, such as months or years of chronic pain and loss of mobility.
The party that caused your accident should compensate you for your past and future medical needs. Health care bills can add up, especially if you need surgery or must stay in the hospital for treatment. Some injuries require a lengthy recovery, which may mean long-term nursing care, physical therapy, and other rehabilitative services.
You may also be entitled to pain and suffering damages for your physical injuries and mental anguish. You can seek compensation for anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you lost a loved one in a rollover accident, you could seek awards for the pain and suffering caused by their death, as well as awards in their name.
Severe injuries can leave accident victims unable to work. You may want to enlist the help of an attorney if you need to take an extended period of time from your job while you recover. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine know that bills do not stop coming in just because you are hurt. We know you have a rent or mortgage payment, medical bills, and bills for other household goods and services. We will work to get you financial awards as soon as possible. Call our offices to get started.
Florida Insurance Laws
Because Florida is a no-fault insurance state, there are restrictions on when you may seek compensation from another driver. In no-fault states, drivers file accident injury claims with their own insurance provider. The state mandates all drivers carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) to pay for injuries caused to themselves or a covered passenger, no matter who is at-fault for the accident.
According to Florida Statutes 627.737, you may step outside the no-fault system and seek compensation from another liable party if you or a loved one suffer:
- Loss of a bodily function
- A permanent injury
- “Significant and permanent” scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to find out if you have the right to pursue additional compensation. If you have the legal grounds for a lawsuit, you must file your case in civil court within four years of your injuries, or two years from the time of your loved one’s death, according to Florida Statutes 95.11.
Take the Stress Out of Fighting for Awards
Dealing with insurance companies and trying to get compensation can be a huge burden on top of your injuries. The last thing you need to worry about is arguing over claims or preparing for court. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is here to offer you the responsive legal care you need and deserve.
Let a Sarasota rollover accident lawyer represent you throughout the process of seeking awards. We can file documents, negotiate with insurers, review your settlement offers, and fight for the best possible outcome for your case. Perhaps most importantly, we will use the available evidence to support your claims and prove another party is responsible for your crash. We can do the work of collecting medical records, police reports, videos, photos, witness statements, and more.
If you work with our team, you owe us nothing out of pocket and nothing up front. We do not get paid unless we win financial awards for you. Call our offices to learn more with our no-cost, no-risk consultations.
We Can Help.
