Tampa and Sarasota Rollover Accident Attorneys 

Rollover accidents are among the most dangerous types encountered by drivers. Our taste in vehicles has changed over the years toward vehicles with higher centers of gravity. Trucks, vans, and SUVs all tend to be taller vehicles. Those vehicles tend to roll over more easily.

When a rollover occurs, the vehicle may tip over onto its side, roll over onto its roof, or roll multiple times before coming to a standstill. Because of the severity of injuries typically involved, it is a good idea to work with a rollover accident attorney in the handling of your claim for injuries. These cases require experienced rollover accident attorneys handling the accident reconstruction and its relationship to your injuries.

How Rollovers Occur

Many of these accidents occur with only one vehicle involved. The vehicle may hit a pothole, curb, gravel, or a guardrail which causes a part of the vehicle to be lifted off of the pavement. The vehicle then tips or rolls over. This is often a function of road conditions over which the driver has no real control. But sometimes, the driver’s speed, coupled with those conditions, can make the accident more severe. Over 80% of rollovers involve only one vehicle.

The average rollover involves two quarter turns. That often leaves the vehicle at rest on its roof. Injuries for non-seat belted passengers can be catastrophic. Adding another vehicle to the mix makes the damages much more severe. The additional force involved in any type of collision, such as a sideswipe, can increase the number of rolls and injuries.

Liability in Rollover Accidents

In rollover accidents, the question of who to file a claim against can be a surprisingly complex one. When road conditions are the cause of the accident, it is possible to file a claim against the municipality or other entity liable for the road condition. This could be the Florida Department of Transportation or the Department of Public Works in the county in which the accident occurs.

It may also be possible to file a claim against the vehicle’s manufacturer if the design or manufacture contributed either to the rollover itself or to the severity of the injuries.

When the rollover occurs as the result of a collision such as a sideswipe, the injured parties can file a claim against the other driver. Most single car rollovers are handled by filing a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim against the driver’s own insurance company. The coverage amount is not high but can help.

Liability can often be a complex subject. Speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and the like can all affect liability. The good news is that Florida is a pure comparative negligence state. That means that even if the driver shares some of the fault, the driver can recover their damages, reduced by their percentage of liability.

Speak with a Tampa or Sarasota Rollover Accident Attorney

These accidents often have serious injuries and complex liability issues. If you or a loved one have been injured in a rollover accident, there is help put there for you. We at Matthews Injury Law provide thorough and compassionate legal services to our clients. Call or contact us today to see what we can do for you. We have offices conveniently located in Tampa and Sarasota, so please fill out our contact form to learn more.