One minute you’re driving in Hollywood, FL and the next you’re in a car accident where your car flips. It’s a terrifying moment, and one likely to cause serious or even permanent injury. In this situation, you don’t want to hesitate. Contact rollover accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL right away to start protecting your rights.

If you need to speak to a Hollywood attorney with experience in rollover collisions and serious car accidents, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation. Our father-son attorney team has decades of experience and has recovered more than $100 million in court wins and settlements for clients.

What Is a Rollover Car Accident?

It’s just what it sounds like: a rollover car accident happens when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof. Usually, this happens during a collision, when the force of a crash or truck accident can cause a passenger car to flip. However, it can also happen during sharp turns or swerves, or other situations when a driver may lose control of the car.

Rollover accidents are notorious for their severity, as they can lead to violent, life-threatening injuries. Unlike other types of crashes, where vehicles may only experience a single impact, a rollover can cause the vehicle to continue tumbling, sometimes over great distances, before coming to a stop. This means that there are multiple moments of impact.

In fact, in many rollover accidents, a vehicle’s occupants are thrown around inside the car. Occupants can be ejected from the vehicle or crushed by collapsing parts of the car. As a result, rollover accidents are among the deadliest crashes on our roads.

While many think of rollover accidents occurring in high-speed crashes, they can also happen in low-speed scenarios. A vehicle’s design or the road’s unevenness can also cause rollovers, even if a driver isn’t speeding. For example, in motorcycle accidents, a rollover can happen if a driver swerves to avoid a crash or runs over an uneven bit of road.

Causes of Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents can happen for many reasons, but the most common causes are:

• Vehicles with a high center of gravity. Vehicles like SUVs, vans, and trucks are designed with a high center of gravity to offer more space. However, when a driver is forced to make a sharp turn, swerve, or experiences a sudden stop, the vehicle’s high center of gravity increases the likelihood of a rollover.
• Speeding. When a vehicle is traveling too fast for the road conditions, it becomes harder to control, especially when the road is winding, uneven, or wet. Speeding around curves or during rain, snow, or icy conditions can destabilize a vehicle and increase the risk of a rollover.
• Swerving. Rollover accidents often occur when a driver is forced to swerve suddenly, often to avoid a collision. In these instances, if the tires catch the edge of the road or a curb, the vehicle can tip over. Rollovers in these situations are especially likely if a driver is speeding and swerves suddenly.
• Poor road conditions. Roads that are full of potholes, have poorly placed guardrails, or lack proper signage can cause drivers to lose control. When a vehicle hits a pothole or is forced onto a rough section of road, it can cause the driver to swerve, and in doing so, the risk of the vehicle tipping over increases.
• Vehicle defects. Issues such as defective tires, weak suspension systems, or poorly designed safety mechanisms (like seatbelts or airbags) can contribute to a vehicle’s likelihood of rolling over in an accident or can cause injuries. If such defects are present and lead to injuries, the manufacturer may be held liable in a product liability case.
• Driver negligence. Distracted driving, such as texting or talking on the phone while driving, increases the likelihood of accidents, including rollovers. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs a driver’s ability to control the vehicle, making rollovers more likely, especially in challenging weather or road conditions.

You can’t control how other motorists drive, but knowing the risk factors can help you avoid rollover accidents. Choosing the right vehicle, obeying speed limits, and driving carefully can keep you and others safe on Hollywood’s roads.

Since so many common causes of rollover car accidents are preventable, if you are injured in a rollover accident, it may be useful to consult with rollover accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL, who can investigate your accident and give you answers about the cause of your injuries.

Injuries Suffered from Rollover Accidents

Injuries from rollover accidents are often severe because of the violent nature of the crash and the continued tumbling of the vehicle. Common injuries in tip over accidents include:

• Head injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are potentially life-threatening injuries that are a danger in rollover accidents, particularly if passengers are ejected from the vehicle or slammed against the roof, windows, or door. Even if a person is wearing a seatbelt, the jarring motion of a rollover can cause the head to hit hard surfaces inside the vehicle. Even the violent shaking of the car in a rollover can lead to a serious TBI that can lead to memory loss, cognitive impairment, and other, potentially permanent, injury.
• Spinal cord injuries. The sudden jerking motion and impact can cause severe damage to the spine, resulting in partial or total paralysis. These injuries may require extensive rehabilitation.
• Fractures. The violent motion of a rollover can cause broken bones, particularly in the limbs, chest, and ribs. A common fracture happens in the hands or arms, when passengers instinctively try to brace themselves as the car starts to roll. Since there are multiple moments of impact before the car comes to a complete stop, it’s possible to suffer multiple broken bones or even compound fractures, where one bone breaks in multiple spots.
• Internal injuries. Internal injuries may happen when passengers are crushed by the weight of the vehicle or when they are thrown against hard surfaces. This can lead to internal bleeding and life-threatening damage to major organs, like the heart, liver, and lungs.
• Fatalities. Sadly, fatalities are common in rollover accidents, especially when vehicles are not equipped with adequate safety features and in situations where passengers are thrown from the car. Those who die in rollover accidents often suffer from severe head or neck injuries or internal trauma.
• Burns. In some cases, when a vehicle rolls gas can spill or the gas tank can become damaged. This can cause a serious fire and burn injuries. Fire and burns are especially common in motorcycle accidents, since the gas tank is protected less than it is in a car or truck.

The severity of rollover accidents mean they should be treated as an emergency. If you’re in a rollover, it’s almost always best to call 911. In the chaos of this type of accident, it’s not always possible to tell whether you’ve hit your head or have sustained internal injuries. You may be conscious and feel okay, even if you’re seriously injured. Adrenaline from the accident can even mask symptoms. It’s best to let emergency responders or an emergency room evaluate you and determine if you need medical care.