Mitchell | April 14, 2021 | Car Accidents

Being in any type of traffic accident can cause catastrophic injuries. However, some types of car accidents have a higher risk of life-threatening injuries and permanent impairments. Head-on crashes are one type of crash that can cause great bodily harm. Rollover accidents are another type of car accident that has a high risk of severe injuries and death.

Why Are Rollover Accidents More Dangerous Than Other Collisions?

In a rollover accident, your body follows the direction the vehicle travels. If you are not wearing a seat belt or the seat belt disengages, your body is tossed around the inside of the vehicle as it rolls over. Also, you could be thrown from the vehicle as it rolls over.

The potential for severe injuries and death increases substantially if you are thrown from the vehicle or if your body is tossed around inside the vehicle. For one, you could be crushed by the vehicle if you are thrown outside of it. You could also strike another object after being thrown from the car. 

Inside the vehicle, you could sustain multiple broken bones and fractures, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries if your body bounces around the vehicle. 

Even if your seat belt keeps you in your seat during a rollover accident, objects within the vehicle can move about as the car rolls over. Those objects can strike your head and body, causing severe trauma and injuries. 

Another factor in a rollover accident is the doors and windows breaking. Depending on how the vehicle rolls over, your head could slam into the ground if the door is torn off or the window shatters. As the vehicle rolls over, you may lose consciousness and have no way of trying to mitigate the injuries by leaning toward the vehicle’s interior.

Cabin intrusion is another common occurrence in rollover accidents. As the vehicle rolls, the vehicle’s frame is bent and crumples into the vehicle’s interior. The passengers can be crushed as the car frame is bent inward.

The good news is that most modern vehicles have safety features that can reduce the risk of severe injuries and fatalities in rollover accidents. Airbags, seatbelts, and reinforced frames work together to protect the occupants from injuries in a rollover crash.

How Do Rollover Accidents Occur?

The causes of rollover accidents vary, but many of the factors involve human error. Generally, a rollover accident occurs when the vehicle loses balance. Typically, the cause of the imbalance is an outside force, such as going around a curve too fast or hitting an object, such as a curve. However, rollover accidents may also be caused by high winds or being sideswiped by another vehicle.

Driving behaviors can increase the risk of a rollover accident. 

Factors that might contribute to the cause of a rollover accident include, but are not limited to:

The person who causes a rollover accident can be financially liable for damages caused by the crash. The types of damages in a car accident claim include medical bills, physical pain, loss of income, permanent disabilities, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Rollover Accidents?

During a rollover accident, your body may sustain numerous impacts. Each of those impacts has the potential for causing severe injuries. It is common for an accident victim to sustain multiple injuries in a rollover crash.

Injuries in a rollover crash include:

  • Severe neck, back, and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Amputations and loss of limbs, especially when ejected from the vehicle or crushed inside the interior of the vehicle
  • Severe brain and head injuries, including traumatic brain injury, concussions, skull fractures, and contusions
  • Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
  • Multiple fractures and broken bones
  • Lacerations and scarring caused by flying debris, broken glass, and torn medal

In many cases, the occupants of a rollover accident may be unconscious. Emergency responders take them directly to the hospital for treatment. 

If you were involved in a rollover accident, it is essential to seek medical treatment and follow up with your doctors. Medical records are crucial for proving the extent of your injuries in a personal injury claim. Failing to follow your doctor’s treatment plan could reduce the value of your injury claim.

It is also helpful to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer evaluates the case and explains your legal rights. Make sure you understand the value of your injury claim and your legal rights before accepting a settlement offer or signing any documents for an insurance company. You deserve fair and just compensation for injuries and damages caused by another driver.