A rollover accident is any crash that causes a vehicle to tip onto its side or flip onto its roof. Occupants of the car or truck that rolls are sometimes ejected from the vehicle. In other cases, they may be trapped inside, and emergency services personnel may have to extract them.
Injuries from these crashes are often severe, and fatalities are common. When you or a loved one are harmed due to rollover car accidents in Flagstaff, contact Phillips Law Group right away. Our trusted auto collision attorneys have been representing accident victims and their families in this community for decades, and we can help you get appropriate compensation for your losses.
Rollovers Are Especially Dangerous
Rollover accidents usually happen when a driver loses control of their vehicle. The driver is often speeding, impaired, distracted, or driving too fast for challenging weather or road conditions. According to the Insurance Information Institute, about seven percent of fatal crashes are rollovers that do not involve other vehicles.
However, that statistic only covers single-vehicle crashes. Sometimes, a collision with another vehicle forces one of the vehicles to flip. This is most likely when the crash happens at high speeds, but sometimes road conditions can cause a rollover after a collision at low or moderate speeds.
The occupants of the vehicle that rolls are often killed. Survivors often have catastrophic injuries. Occupants of other vehicles, as well as nearby pedestrians and cyclists, can also be harmed in rollover crashes. Anyone who sustains injuries in an accident that was not their fault should immediately consult a Flagstaff rollover crash attorney.
Catastrophic Injuries Are Common
Some people walk away from rollovers without serious injury, but those people are fortunate. Many survivors and their families must cope with catastrophic injuries that often lead to permanent disability.
Occupants who are ejected from the vehicle may suffer spinal cord injuries and moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries. When people are trapped in the vehicle, they could suffer excessive blood loss and, sometimes, oxygen deprivation that leads to brain damage. If the vehicle catches fire, they could suffer burns and smoke inhalation injuries.
Almost everyone involved in a severe rollover accident in Flagstaff will sustain cuts and bruises, soft tissue injuries, and severe psychological trauma in addition to other possible injuries. The driver and other parties who contributed to the accident must compensate the victims for all associated losses.
Get Legal Advice Early
When someone sustains a severe injury in an accident that was not their fault, insurance companies for the responsible parties often take active measures to head off a lawsuit. They may approach the victim or their family members with a quick settlement offer.
It is imperative to resist speaking with an insurance company representative before speaking with a Flagstaff rollover accident attorney. The company’s offer may seem like a significant sum, but it will be a fraction of the claim’s value. When an injured person has legal representation, the insurers must communicate directly with the lawyer and are more likely to negotiate in good faith. The team at Phillips Law Group is not afraid to take matters to court if negotiations do not yield the desired results.
Statute of Limitations
Securing legal representation early also preserves an injured person’s rights. Road conditions often contribute to rollover accidents, making a local government or public agency potentially liable. Arizona Revised Statute §12-821.01 requires someone with a claim against a public entity to send an official notice within six months of the incident leading to the claim and file a lawsuit within one year. We can investigate to determine whether a public entity could be a defendant in the rollover, and if so, ensure all necessary paperwork is filed within the legal deadlines.
Contact a Flagstaff Attorney After a Rollover Accident
People who sustain injuries in rollover car accidents in Flagstaff need aggressive legal representation. Insurance companies for the responsible parties will not negotiate fairly unless forced.
Phillips Law Group has been achieving favorable outcomes for accident victims and their families in this community for decades. Delay can weaken your case, so get in touch to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of the team today.
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