Las Vegas rollover accidents have the potential to cause intense pain, render you immobile, cause you to be hospitalized, or even end your life. This type of auto accident can be particularly deadly as the vehicle turns over onto its side or even completely upside down. If you are involved in a rollover accident or any other type of car accident, our attorneys can help make you whole and return your life to normal.
How Las Vegas Rollover Accidents Happen
Rollover accidents are especially common amongst truck and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Trucks and SUVs have a comparably high center of gravity in comparison to cars. These vehicles are certainly heavy, and they are also quite tall compared to other vehicles on the road. If a truck is carrying a heavy load in the bed or towing, the chances of a rollover accident are that much greater.
Trucks and SUVs tend to roll over when there are high winds, sudden braking, and rapid changes of directions such as maneuvering curves and highway on/off ramps. It is next to impossible to avoid a truck or SUV that rolls over across several lanes. Lanes of traffic tend to be shut down by emergency personnel after these accidents happen.
Rollover Accident Statistics Everyone Should Know
Las Vegas rollover accidents typically occur upon a frontal or side collision with other vehicles or an object. As noted above, attempting to maneuver winding roads can also cause a vehicle rollover accident. This type of accident is especially dangerous as there is a good chance the driver or passengers of the vehicle will be ejected, or the vehicle might veer off the road. Debris can fly around too, so even being near an accident can be terrifying and dangerous.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports more than 10,000 people perish in rollover accidents each year. Though rollover accidents are fairly uncommon, they account for one-third of all deaths amongst those riding in passenger vehicles.
Even location plays a role in the odds of a rollover accident. Country roads are typically wide open without any sort of protective barriers. Rollover accidents are that much more likely on such rural roads. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports nearly three-quarters of all deadly rollover accidents occur in country settings where the speed limit is almost always 55 – 65 miles per hour.
NHTSA data also shows more than 90% of vehicles involved in deadly single-vehicle rollovers resulted from routine driving actions such as maneuvering a curving road or even driving straight ahead. This statistic makes it clear that driver behavior is of the utmost importance in the quest to prevent rollover crashes.
Tips to Prevent Rollover Accidents
Though you cannot control the actions of other negligent drivers, you can take steps on your own to prevent a rollover accident. Las Vegas rollover accidents are often caused by excessive speeding that causes a high center of gravity, making it that much easier for the vehicle to tip over.
In some cases, simply turning the wheel too quickly when rounding a turn, failing to turn enough to stay on the road and even over-correcting a steering error can lead to a rollover.
Though driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cause any type of accident, driver condition is that much more important in the context of rollover accidents. All it takes is a couple beers or a shot or two of hard liquor to impair judgment, vision and coordination. Close to half of fatal rollover accidents involve alcohol.
Driver impairment diminishes vehicle control. Even a brief period of dozing or inattentiveness behind the wheel can spur a quick attempt to correct the vehicle’s course and consequently cause a rollover.
Drowsy driving can also impair a driver’s reaction time and cause unnecessary risks for everyone else on the road. Drowsy driving is one of the biggest dangers on the road for motorists. Make sure that you are driving alert and help prevent one of the Las Vegas rollover accidents.
Early signs of drowsy driving include:
- Yawning or blinking often
- Past miles seemingly like a blur
- Passing your exit
- Lane drifting
- Rumble strip riding
If you experience any of these symptoms, pull over and rest until you feel awake and aware enough to drive. There is no excuse for drowsy driving; however, schedules may not allow for naps. Call a taxi, order a rideshare from an app or call a friend to help you out. This applies to drinking as well.
The offices of Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys do not advocate for drinking and driving. Stay safe and stay alive. Make other arrangements.
Be sure to check your vehicle’s tires and brakes at the automaker’s suggested intervals. If your tires or brakes do not respond as designed, your vehicle will be that much more likely to roll over. Tire blowouts and defects can commonly contribute to rollovers.
Another factor to be aware of is the weather. Roads become slick and difficult to navigate.
Check your tire tread with one of these easy methods:
Penny Test
Insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If his face is fully visible, it’s time to replace your tires. This also means your tire depth is less than 2/32 of an inch.
Quarter Test
Insert a quarter with the Washington facing you. If the tire touches his head, you have at least 4/32 inch remaining. Replacement will be imminent.
Tread Wear Indicator
Tires come with an indicator bar molded into most of their models. The bars are at the bottom of the tread grooves in several locations. If these are visibly flush with the adjacent ribs, no more than 2/32” of tread remaining. Replace your tires.
How to Proceed After a Rollover Accident
An accident, no matter what type, is terrifying. Our sympathy goes out to all victims of rollover accidents. Even if you are slightly at fault for the accident, it is in your best interest to ask for help from our experienced personal injury attorneys for your best chance.
The first step following the accident is to obtain medical assistance. Have your injuries and medical treatment fully documented. Getting checked over by a medical professional will help in the long run. This information will help prove just how violent and life-changing the rollover accident was for you and your vehicle’s passengers.
Once you have obtained the proper medical treatment, reach out to our Las Vegas rollover accident attorneys. We are here to help in your time of need. Our legal team understands you are traumatized, fatigued, depressed and in desperate need of assistance. Trust us to handle the legal aspect of this unfortunate incident and you will be able to focus on returning your health to normal and getting back to work. We have years of experience to get you the justice you deserve.
Our rollover accident attorneys will gather all evidence, interview witnesses, tabulate the cost of medical care, lost earnings, and even quantify the cost of your pain and suffering. We will pursue financial compensation for everything related to the rollover accident, so you can dedicate yourself to rebuilding your body and your mind.
Help Protect Your Rights in a Las Vegas Rollover Accidents with the Lerner and Rowe Accident App
Local law enforcement agencies recommend people gather as much information as possible after an accident.
Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys’ accident app provides helpful tips and tools on what to do and not do after an accident. The app also walks you through what information to collect and exchange, photos to take, and much more!
The app also allows you to send accident data directly to Lerner and Rowe’s personal injury law office immediately after the accident occurs.
Even if your rollover accident resulted in only couple hundred dollars’ worth of medical bills, it still makes sense to let an attorney pursue justice on your behalf. Most of those involved in rollover accidents have lifelong health complications stemming from the negligence of the at-fault driver or institution. Medical bills related to the accident might pile up as time progresses.
Furthermore, there is a chance the rollover accident will result in whiplash, aches, pains and other problems days, weeks or even months after the incident.
If any such problems occur, you will likely find it difficult to work. Our personal injury attorneys are here to obtain compensation for diminished earning capacity, lost wages, future medical care costs and everything else related to the rollover accident.
Let us handle the legal challenges while you attempt to piece your life back together following this unfortunate event. Instead of accepting the insurance company’s low-ball offer, our legal team will fiercely advocate on your behalf to ensure you are compensated for your automobile damage, injuries, pain, suffering, loss of a loved one and anything else negative that results from the rollover accident.
Victims of Las Vegas Rollover Accidents Deserve Compensation
Our personal injury attorneys are here to help in the aftermath of your accident. We have successfully litigated countless Las Vegas rollover accidents. Reach out to us at 702-877-1500 to schedule an initial consultation.
Our office is typically open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. yet we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to field your call. You can also contact us by filling out an online form or through our website’s LiveChat feature. If you have been involved in any sort of accident that you suspect is even partially the fault of another person, reach out to us today. Our consultations are free. You will not pay a penny unless we win your case.