If you are going through this devastating ordeal, just know that you may have legal options available that can help you secure the compensation you need to take care of these expenses, get the medical care you require, and ensure your family is taken care of, even if you are no longer able to work.
More importantly, with a seasoned car accident lawyer in Phoenix, AZ, you will not have to go after this money alone. Rather, you can have a skilled legal team fighting for your rights, going after the justice you deserve, and providing you with the legal support you require during this challenging time in your life.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident refers to a car crash that happens when a motor vehicle tips onto its side or roof at any point during the accident.
These crashes tend to result when the motor vehicle is involved in a collision with another car or with a fixed object. However, because these accidents can also occur when a car leaves the road, it can lead to vehicle occupants getting ejected from the car, increasing the chance of fatalities.
Finally, these rollover accidents can also cause cabin intrusion, which occurs when the automobile’s structural integrity folds inward, causing the car to look as if it is crumbling.
Common Causes of Rollover Accidents in Phoenix
Although a rollover accident can occur for several reasons, in Phoenix, these accidents frequently tend to happen because of:
- Motorists driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Fatigued driving or distracted driving
- Poor road design
- Dangerous road conditions, including construction, debris, or poor weather
- Design flaws or equipment failure
- Turning the steering wheel too quickly
- Going over a curb or another object
- A motor vehicle hitting a car from the side
- Trucks that are not loaded properly
- Speeding
- Certain vehicles, since vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs, have higher centers of gravity that make them more prone to rollovers
However, if you endured harm because of a rollover accident for a reason not indicated on the above list, do not let that stop you from contacting an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer can not only review your case in detail and determine if you have a valid claim, but we can also help you figure out your legal options going forward.
Injuries to Watch out for Following a Rollover Accident
While the severity of the injuries that result following a rollover accident will depend on the circumstances of the collision, in general, some of the more common injuries that tend to arise from these accidents include:
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Spinal cord damage, as well as paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Back trauma
- Neck injuries
- Amputations
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Local Issues That Can Affect Rollover Accidents In Phoenix
Rural areas, where the speed limit is 55 miles or higher, account for almost 75 percent of all deadly rollovers. As a result, small rural towns near Phoenix, where the roads are more likely to be undivided and have no barriers, are more prone to these devastating accidents, as well as long stretches of highways, such as Interstate 10, Interstate 17, and U.S. Route 60.
The Statute of Limitations to Pursue Legal Action
Another local issue that individuals should watch out for following a Phoenix rollover accident is the statute of limitations. This regulation dictates the amount of time people have to pursue legal action following an alleged offense or accident. Consequently, in Phoenix, individuals will only have two years following a rollover accident to file a lawsuit. If they do not file within this time, they can be barred from pursuing legal action to obtain the compensation they need.
In addition, if exceptions apply to this rule, this time period can also change. That is why to make sure you do not miss this filing deadline, it is often in your best interest to reach out to a knowledgeable Phoenix car accident lawyer as soon as you can.
A Phoenix car accident lawyer can determine how much time you have to file a legal case, then prepare and submit motions and legal documents to the proper court before time runs out.
The Compensation You May Be Able to Get Following a Phoenix Rollover Accident
If you can file a lawsuit following your Phoenix rollover accident, you may recover monetary damages. These damages often fall into these categories:
Economic Damages
These damages refer to the actual losses that result from an accident that are easy to verify.
They include:
- Fees related to medical services following the accident, including surgeries, doctor visits, hospitalization, ambulance rides, medications, and other medical treatments
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Ongoing medical treatments
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Personal property damages
- Expenses associated with the replacement of certain at-home services, including child care services
- Other charges stemming from the rollover accident
Non-Economic Damages
These damages refer to compensation for the more subjective losses that result from an accident.
They include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional issues
- Embarrassment, humiliation, or mortification
- Disfigurement
- Loss of love
- Loss of care
- Loss of affection
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of other pleasures of the relationship
- Loss of quality of life
Yet, to determine which of these damages you can pursue following your Phoenix rollover accident, you should go over your case with a knowledgeable Phoenix car accident attorney. Your lawyers can review your accident, determine the extent of your losses, determine which of these damages apply to your case, and help you go after the money you deserve.
Protecting Yourself and Your Rights After a Phoenix Rollover Accident
After a Phoenix rollover accident, your health needs to be your priority. However, if the scene is safe and you can do so, take these steps to help your legal claim:
Obtain a Police Report
After you contact 911, the police and emergency medical personnel can come out and get you the emergency help you need. Plus, the police can also perform their own independent investigation into the collision and write down their findings in their police report. Your attorney can use this police report to help your case since it will often provide them with valuable details regarding what happened and who was at fault.
Get a Medical Report
Although most rollover accidents tend to result in catastrophic injuries, in the rare instance where your injuries appear to be minor, you should still get to a doctor right away. These medical professionals can verify that you do not have any severe trauma, such as a traumatic brain injury that can take days to manifest, as well as provide you with a medical report that can help your attorney prove the extent of your injuries and establish a direct link between the harm you endured and the rollover collision.
Obtain Evidence
If possible, try to take as many photos and videos of the accident scene following the rollover accident, including pictures of:
- Your injuries that you can see
- The motor vehicles involved in the collision and their placement on the road
- The damage to these cars
- Traffic lights or signs near the scene
- Road defects and skid marks
- The weather at the time of the crash
- Anything else that can demonstrate what happened
Yet, do not panic if you cannot collect this evidence on your own. After you retain an experienced Phoenix rollover accident attorney, these legal professionals can get to work gathering this evidence for you.
Get Information From Others
After the incident, if you can, try to get the names and other information of those involved in the crash, including their contact details, phone numbers, insurance information, car information (make and model), and driver’s license numbers.
Plus, if there were individuals who saw the collision, try to get their names and contact information as well. These witnesses can usually offer valuable testimony to help corroborate your claim.
Watch Out for the Insurance Companies
Although most people believe that an insurance company will want to help them following an accident, this is not how these companies operate. They, like other establishments, are in the business of making money. By offering you less than you deserve or denying your claim, they achieve this goal. That is why insurance companies and their adjusters will try everything to get you to say something to hurt your case.
For these reasons, before you speak with the insurance company, it may be in your best interest to speak with an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your car accident lawyers can explain the dishonest practices that these insurance companies may try on you and take on these discussions with the insurer for you, ensuring you do not say or do something that can hurt your legal claim.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today and Find to Fight for Your Rights
Going after the money you need after a Phoenix rollover accident is not an easy feat. Not only do you need to prepare compelling arguments, but you also must gather relevant evidence to prove your case.
However, as you recover following the collision, this is probably the last thing you want to worry about. Fortunately, with an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney on your side, you will not have to go after this financial recovery yourself.
Instead, once hired, your Phoenix car accident lawyer can:
- Review your case
- Figure out whether you have a viable legal claim and your legal options.
- Gather the evidence needed to show fault and damages after investigating your rollover crash.
- Hold all those responsible for the collisions accountable for the harm you sustained.
- Hire experts, including medical doctors, accident specialists, and economists, to help prove your case.
- Handle the settlement negotiations and go after a just offer.
- Proceed to trial if settlement negotiations are not going well and fight for maximum compensation.
If a Phoenix rollover accident injured you or a family member, do not wait to get the legal help you need. Instead, contact an injury lawyer near you for your free evaluation and learn how they can fight for the justice you deserve.
Jason Hutzler
Jason Hutzler is the founding partner of Phoenix personal injury law firm Hutzler Law, and represents individuals throughout Arizona. His practice is primarily dedicated to personal injury and car accident claims, leveraging his deep expertise as a former insurance adjustor to navigate the complexities of insurance negotiations.