Some of the most serious crash injuries come from rollover car accidents. The damage done when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof can be life-altering, and you may have the right to take legal action against those at fault.
With the help of a rollover car accident lawyer here in Cleveland, you can file your insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your losses. At Tittle & Perlmuter, our Cleveland car accident lawyers will investigate your crash and determine who is to blame.
We’re ready to support you through every moment of your claim. To request a free legal consultation, contact our law firm today
What Is a Rollover Crash?
A rollover car accident happens when your car falls onto its side, rolls onto its roof, or flips 360 degrees. It may even roll multiple times, increasing the risk of injury to its occupants. You and your passengers may suffer catastrophic injuries since any loose object can be thrown around the passenger cabin, including people or animals.
How Dangerous Are Rollover Crashes?
Along with causing more severe injuries, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that rollover accidents accounted for 10% of passenger vehicle deaths, 18% of pickup truck deaths, and 15% of SUV fatalities in 2023.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducts rollover research to help manufacturers reduce risk from vehicle design and production.
Common Causes of Rollover Accidents in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio
The IIHS report also shows that 47% of rollover accident deaths involved only a single vehicle in 2023, while just 13% happened in multi-car crashes. This means a majority of rollovers happened when a vehicle tips over or rolls, due to common causes such as:
- Driving in rainy, snowy, or icy conditions without adjusting driving habits
- Overcorrecting in a swerve to avoid debris or another vehicle (known as an untripped rollover)
- Hitting a curb with a tire (known as a tripped rollover)
A drunk or intoxicated driver is more likely to speed, jerk the wheel suddenly to avoid a crash, or take turns too quickly, leading to rollover accidents. They may also cause you to have a rollover if they sideswipe your vehicle. Whether you have been hit by another driver and rolled over or you were a passenger in a vehicle where the driver caused the accident, a rollover car accident lawyer can assist you in building your case.
Who Can Be Liable in a Rollover Accident
There are many people or companies that could be held liable for your injuries in a rollover accident. Some potential parties include:
- A careless driver, you are riding with
- Negligent motorists who speed or drive aggressively
- A manufacturer that released defective components, tires, or vehicles
- A driver who dropped debris on the road
- A truck driver who failed to inspect their tires, leading to a blowout
- A road construction company that failed to provide adequate signage or that caused unsafe road conditions
- A government agency that failed to maintain safe roadways
Identifying each at-fault party and determining how much fault they carry is complicated. Your rollover accident lawyer will use a range of evidence types to untangle the details of what happened and develop a tailored strategy for your case.
Evidence That Proves a Rollover Case
Your rollover accident attorney can use materials you collect at the scene, along with other critical evidence, to establish fault in your case. Such evidence may include:
- Additional photos gathered from the scene
- Dashcam video footage from your vehicle or witnesses
- Videos from surveillance, security, and Ohio traffic cameras
- Event data recorder (EDR) or “black box” data from passenger vehicles or commercial trucks involved in the crash
- Medical reports detailing your injuries
- Auto repair shop estimates
- Reports from accident reconstruction specialists
The goal is to show that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, but failed to uphold that duty. Your rollover accident attorney must also demonstrate that the defendant’s actions directly caused your injuries and that they are therefore liable for your associated costs. Meeting all those criteria allows your attorney to prove negligence and have the best foundation for recovering compensation.
Injuries and Damages in Rollover Accidents
Rollovers often result in serious car accident injuries, including the following:
- Head trauma and facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and spine damage, including spinal cord injury (SCI)
- Crushing injuries from a roof collapse
- Broken bones
- Organ damage and bleeding
- Loss of limb
Because of the often catastrophic nature of these, you may require long-term care and rehabilitation. You may even need lifetime assistance and medical treatment, limiting the ability to care for yourself or hold a job.
It is vital that you speak with a rollover car accident lawyer near you immediately to assess the full value of your claim. At Tittle & Perlmuter, we will work tirelessly on your behalf to pursue payment for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and your pain and suffering.
Ohio Rules That Affect Your Accident Claim
You do not have much time to file your lawsuit after a car accident in Ohio. Insurance discussions can take several weeks, but the Ohio personal injury statute of limitations only allows two years to initiate legal action under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10.
Your rollover accident attorney will also assess whether you bear any blame in the crash. That is because Ohio’s modified comparative negligence law (Ohio Revised Code §2315.33) mandates that you cannot recover any compensation if you are 51% or more at fault. If you are only 20% at fault, you can still seek financial recovery, but your settlement will be 20% less than your total damage demand.
What to Do After a Rollover Crash
There are important steps to take after a car accident to collect evidence.
- Your first job is to get medical care, whether by calling 911 or asking someone to call for you. Even if you feel fine, you should call 911 and ask medical first responders to examine you.
- Take photos of the vehicles and your injuries, and ask witnesses for their contact information. Exchange personal and insurance details with any other drivers, as required by Ohio Revised Code Section 4549.02. Preserve all the evidence to share with your rollover car accident lawyer.
- When you notify your insurance company, give only the basic details of the crash and avoid recording a statement until you speak with your attorney. Insurance companies may try to get you to agree to a low initial offer or use any statements against you to deny your claim.
- Reach out to Tittle & Perlmuter to find out your best options for compensation. Our attorneys focus on taking this burden off your shoulders and strive to secure the maximum compensation available.
How a Cleveland Rollover Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Your lawyer at Tittle & Perlmuter will listen to your side of the story, then get to work investigating all aspects of the case. We work with various experts to gain a full picture of how the crash occurred and how severe your injuries are. We treat you with compassion, respect, and honesty.
We can manage your insurance claims and negotiate a fair settlement that meets your compensation needs. Filing paperwork for a personal injury lawsuit can encourage an insurer to make a better offer more quickly, reducing the time you must wait to pay your bills. Throughout the process, we keep you updated on our progress and can prepare your case for trial if the insurance provider fails to meet our demands.
Insurance companies dislike going to trial and may try to pressure you into a lower settlement. At our firm, we will stand up for you like David against Goliath. Our team understands when to compromise and when to take more aggressive action to get what you deserve. At Tittle & Perlmuter, we believe that our case results demonstrate our dedication to every client’s success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rollover Car Accidents
Our team proudly offers several guides for personal injury victims, and we can answer your frequently asked questions about rollover car accidents, such as the following:
Can I still recover compensation if I wasn’t wearing a seat belt in a rollover crash?
Since not wearing a seatbelt is a known factor in increasing the severity of car accident injuries, it is likely the insurance company will use this to argue a greater level of fault on your part. You may still be able to recover compensation unless your fault exceeds 51%.
What if the rollover was caused by a tire blowout or vehicle defect? Can the manufacturer be liable?
It is possible to hold tire or auto manufacturers accountable in a rollover accident. Your rollover accident lawyer will need to gather production and design records from the factory, along with any information about recalls. The goal will be to demonstrate that the manufacturer knowingly produced a defective tire or vehicle without issuing a recall or replacement, and that the known defect was a direct factor in causing your rollover accident.
How is fault determined if the vehicle rolled after being hit by another driver?
If another driver hit you while distracted or in a sideswipe, our lawyers can use evidence to demonstrate how the other motorist caused your vehicle to rollover. Authorities and your rollover accident attorney can identify the initial point of impact, use photos of skid marks and debris, and gather other information showing how all drivers acted to determine each party’s level of fault.
What if insurance claims I “overcorrected”? Does that reduce my compensation in Ohio?
Unfortunately, it might result in reduced compensation under Ohio’s comparative negligence laws. Insurance companies will search to find any reason to push blame onto your side of the equation as a way to possibly reduce what they have to pay. With help from a skilled rollover accident lawyer, you can present evidence that minimizes or negates those claims.
Contact a Cleveland Rollover Accident Attorney Near You
At Tittle & Perlmuter, we are committed to helping you during your most vulnerable time in life. We offer free case reviews to answer your questions and help you understand how to move forward. You do not have to stand alone. To discuss your legal options with our rollover accident lawyers in Cleveland, contact our law firm today.
