Rollover crashes leave everyone involved vulnerable and can cause severe or even fatal injuries. If you’ve been injured in a rollover accident in Charlotte, NC, our attorneys can help. Our Charlotte rollover accident lawyers have experience helping injured victims and their families claim compensation for injuries and losses.
According to 2018 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were a total of 281,685 crashes in North Carolina, 125,454 total persons injured, and 1,442 casualties. These are scary numbers, particularly when you consider that so many people lost their lives, and many others were forced to live with life-changing injuries.
From years of experience, we know recovering compensation can make a world of difference for you and that it can provide you with the support you need to get your life back on track – or at least have a chance to try.
If you’ve suffered injuries or loss as a result of a rollover crash because of another’s fault, the experienced car accident lawyers at Ted A. Greve & Associates can assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve. For a free, professional legal consultation and to get your questions answered, contact us at (800) 693-7833.
What is Negligence, and How Can it Cause a Rollover Crash?
Negligence is an important concept in car accidents and all personal injury cases in general. Negligence is so crucial that most of the hard work for your rollover accident will steer towards establishing that the defendant’s actions/inaction amounted to negligence.
Simply put, negligence determines if your rollover accident can result in a lawsuit. So, what does negligence mean in a legal setting, and how does it lead to a car accident?
The legal system defines negligence as failure to exercise a reasonable level of care towards others. Here, reasonable care is used to mean what a prudent individual would do when faced with similar situations.
A driver or road user is negligent if he/she has acted recklessly or thoughtlessly, causing injury or harm to others. A negligent road user can cause a rollover accident by doing something he/she shouldn’t, such as driving under the influence, speeding, or driving while distracted.
Common Causes of Rollover Crashes
Negligence is the leading cause of all types of car accidents, including rollover crashes. But negligence can take many forms. Besides, rollover accidents may result from other circumstances such as weather conditions. Some common causes of rollover car accidents in the state of North Carolina include:
Speeding
The NHTSA reported that around 40% of fatal rollover crashes were speeding-related. These crashes are so dangerous since the faster someone is driving, the shorter their reaction time. Over speeding also means that the driver has less control of the car, which decreases his/her ability to avoid a rollover crash.
Type of Car and Vehicle Defects
Any type of car or model can be involved in a rollover crash, but certain vehicles such as SUVs and pickups or other vehicles that have a higher center of gravity have an increased risk. This is because a high COG (center of gravity) reduces a vehicle’s stability and makes it easier for it to tip over or overturn. Passengers traveling in narrow and tall cars are susceptible to fatal injuries in the event of a rollover accident.
Reckless or Aggressive Driving
Reckless and aggressive driving puts both the driver and others at risk of getting injured. These individuals disregard overall safety and traffic rules. Common traits of reckless driving include failing to use signals, tailgating, failing to yield right of way, and so on. These aggressive and reckless acts increase the risk of a rollover accident.
Rural Roads
Most rural roads lack clear division and barriers. As a result, such routes are more likely to be the scene of fatal rollover crashes.
Drunk Driving
Approximately 50% of rollover crashes involve a drunk driver. Driving when impaired significantly reduces the driver’s attentiveness and reaction time. Even drivers with low alcohol levels in their system may experience impaired eye-hand coordination, increasing the chances of a rollover crash.
Roadway Hazards
Dangerous roads and construction zones can bring about a rollover crash. For instance, the absence of warning signs may lead a driver into a construction zone. When the driver attempts to maneuver from the site, they veer off the road, and the car overturns or trips over a construction tool, making it topple.
Tire Failure
A worn-out or defective tire may fail and make the driver lose control of the vehicle and cause a rollover accident. Some tires may even blow up and make the car trip by itself.
What Are the Common Injuries Associated with Rollover Crashes?
In a rollover crash, a car flips over the side or roof, sometimes colliding with other obstacles, including other vehicles. The driver and passengers can either be tossed and crushed inside or ejected from the car, resulting in fatal injuries.
The most common injuries associated with overturn or rollover crashes include:
Internal Injuries
There may be internal bleeding, and internal organs may be bruised, pierced, or otherwise damaged by broken parts of the vehicle, objects in the car, or objects outside the vehicle upon ejection from the car.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The impact of the crash and the compression of an overturn accident can exert pressure on the spinal cord leading to spinal cord injuries such as quadriplegia, paraplegia, localized paralysis, or even permanent damage to the spinal cord.
Neck, Head, and Brain Injuries
During an overturn car accident, vehicle occupants are usually tossed and whipped around inside the vehicle. As a result, the neck and head may incur injuries such as slipped or herniated spinal discs, whiplash, skull fractures, and concussions. Head injuries can lead to brain injuries such as cerebral contusion that can cause long-term nerve damage or brain injuries.
Broken Bones and Deep Lacerations
A rollover or overturn crash leaves all parts of the body vulnerable. The impact of the crash can cause deep lacerations, broken ribs, and crushed limbs.
What Damages Can Victims Expect to Recover from an Auto Accident Claim in Charlotte?
If you get injured in a rollover accident, you may face a severe financial setback. Unpaid medical bills might start piling up; you may lose income/wages due to missed work. In addition, you could experience diminished earning prospects in the future.
North Carolina civil statutes allow you to pursue compensation from the individual or organization responsible for your losses and injuries for two types of damages:
Compensatory Damages
These are damages awarded to the victim as compensation for the losses and damages incurred, including as a result of the accident, including personal and property damage. They take two forms:
Economic Damages
These can easily be tied to a dollar sign. They include:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages
Non-Economic Damages
These damages cannot be easily tied to a dollar sign. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment
Punitive Damages
These are usually awarded to punish the defendant in particular instances because of malicious or extremely reckless acts.
How is Fault Determined in Car Accident Claims in North Carolina?
Unlike most states, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland use the contributory negligence system to determine fault. The contributory negligence system is very harsh and quite unfair to victims. This is because, under this system, a victim whose actions contributed to the crash in any way cannot recover compensation. That means that even if the defendant was 99% at fault and you were only 1% to blame, you still lose your right to seek compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Rollover Crash in North Carolina?
There are strict deadlines regarding reporting an accident and filing a car accident claim in North Carolina.
The deadline for filing a rollover accident or any other personal injury claim in North Carolina is three years, starting from the accident date. Note that this deadline is not the same as the time limit for reporting the crash to your insurance company.
You should report the crash to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Keeping track of all filing time limits helps your case proceed smoothly and increase success chances.
Why Do I Need to Get a Lawyer for a Rollover Accident?
After a serious rollover accident, it’s imperative you know your rights, and you need reliable professional legal guidance and answers to your questions. Our rollover accident lawyers serve clients in many ways after a crash, including:
Case Preparation
Here, we will listen to get to understand how the crash occurred, hear your concern, address your worries, discuss legal options, conduct a detailed investigation, and handle the necessary paperwork, including filing all required documents with the courts and insurance providers.
Settlement Negotiation
Our lawyers have insurance expertise and will identify all insurance policies that may provide compensation for your losses and injuries. They will also negotiate aggressively and passionately with the appropriate insurance companies on your behalf to get you full compensation.
Trial Preparation
Our lawyers always prepare for your case as if it will go to trial. This gives us more leverage in negotiating for a settlement. If a fair settlement isn’t reached, our lawyer will be more than ready to represent you in court.
How Much Will it Cost to Work with a Reputable Car Accident Lawyer?
At Ted A. Greve & Associates, we understand that you may be experiencing financial stress after an accident. That’s why we take your case on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay us out-of-pocket when we take your case. We will not charge you even a dime unless we obtain compensation for you.
Let Our Charlotte Rollover Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
Coping with the aftermath of a rollover accident is difficult enough; you don’t have to struggle with the loss of income or long-term injuries in silence! The personal injury lawyers at Ted A. Greve & Associates would love to help with your Charlotte car accident claim. Please call (800) 693-7833 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
