Rollover Accidents

Illinois Car Accident Attorneys Fighting for Victims of Devastating Rollover Crashes

Rollover accidents are some of the most catastrophic and violent types of vehicle crashes, often resulting in severe injuries or death. When a vehicle flips onto its side or roof, occupants are subjected to extreme forces that can cause life-altering trauma. These accidents can happen for various reasons, including loss of vehicle control, collisions, or tire blowouts, and the consequences for victims can be devastating.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our Illinois car crash lawyers understand the serious impact that rollover accidents have on victims and their families. These accidents frequently lead to severe injuries, permanent disabilities, and wrongful death, leaving victims to face not only physical pain but also emotional and financial burdens. Our Illinois personal injury firm is committed to seeking justice for rollover accident victims, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve to rebuild their lives.

Understanding the Biomechanics of Rollover Accidents

In a rollover crash, the vehicle’s structure is compromised as it flips, often multiple times, resulting in multiple points of impact. The forces exerted on the body during a rollover are more complex and dangerous than in most other types of accidents. Victims may experience:

• Head and Neck Trauma: Violent rolling causes the head to strike the vehicle’s interior, leading to concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and neck injuries such as whiplash. In severe cases, the roof may crush inward, exacerbating injuries.
• Spinal Cord Damage: The compressive forces during a rollover can lead to spinal cord injuries, often resulting in paralysis or even death.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Occupants are often violently thrown around inside the vehicle, leading to multiple fractures and broken bones, including broken arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
• Internal Injuries: The severe impact can cause significant internal injuries to organs such as the liver, spleen, and lungs, requiring emergency medical care.
• Ejection from the Vehicle: Occupants not wearing seat belts or in vehicles where seat belts fail may be ejected, often resulting in fatal injuries.
• Traumatic Amputations: Violent rolling of a vehicle can cause fingers and hands to be dragged on pavement, leading to degloving injuries or even traumatic amputations.

The violent and multi-directional forces at play in rollover accidents make them among the deadliest types of car crashes. Those who survive often face a long road to recovery, enduring pain, surgeries, and rehabilitation.

Why Rollover Accidents Are So Deadly

Several factors contribute to the seriousness of rollover accidents:

• High Center of Gravity in Vehicles: Vehicles with higher centers of gravity, such as SUVs, vans, and trucks, are more prone to rollovers, particularly during sharp turns or swerving at high speeds.
• Roof Crush: In many rollover crashes, the vehicle’s roof collapses, leading to severe head, neck, and spinal injuries. Roof crushes increase the risk of fatal injuries in rollovers.
• Multiple Impacts: Unlike frontal or rear-end crashes, rollover accidents involve numerous points of impact as the vehicle flips. Each impact can result in additional trauma for the occupants.
• Lack of Vehicle Stability: Factors such as poor vehicle design, defective tires, and road conditions can all contribute to a loss of vehicle stability, increasing the risk of a rollover.

Common Causes of Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, often involving a combination of vehicle design flaws and external factors, such as:

• Speeding: Excessive speed, particularly on highways or winding roads, can cause drivers to lose control, leading to a rollover.
• Tire Blowouts or Defects: A sudden tire blowout can cause a vehicle to lose stability, resulting in a rollover. Tire failure is a common cause of rollover accidents on highways.
• Driver Overcorrection: In emergency situations, such as avoiding an obstacle or another vehicle, drivers may overcorrect, causing the vehicle to tip and roll.
• Tripping Hazards: A vehicle may “trip” on an object, such as a curb or guardrail, causing it to flip over.
• Alcohol or Drug Impairment: Drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol are more likely to lose control of their vehicles, leading to rollovers and other serious accidents.

Seeking Justice After a Rollover Accident

At John J. Malm & Associates, we are committed to seeking justice for rollover accident victims. The injuries sustained in a rollover crash often require extensive medical treatment, ongoing care, and rehabilitation, placing a financial strain on victims and their families. In the most tragic cases, families may lose a loved one and face insurmountable emotional and financial hardship.

Our experienced DuPage County car accident attorneys fight to hold negligent parties accountable, whether the accident was caused by a defective vehicle, faulty tire, or another driver’s reckless actions. We investigate the circumstances of each accident, gather crucial evidence, and build a strong case to help victims recover maximum compensation for their injuries.

Case Results: Achieving Justice for Rollover Accident Victims

At John J. Malm & Associates, we have successfully recovered significant settlements for rollover accident victims and their families. Some of our notable case results include:

• Confidential, Illinois: A confidential settlement was reached with a vehicle manufacturer in a product liability case. The lawsuit alleged that the subject vehicle was unsafe due to a defect that made it prone to sudden rollovers.

Why Rollover Accident Cases Are Complex

Rollover accident cases can be complicated, requiring thorough investigation and expert testimony to prove liability. Multiple factors may contribute to a rollover, including defective vehicle design, dangerous road conditions, and driver negligence. Our team of experienced attorneys is skilled in handling the complexity of these cases, working with accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and medical professionals to ensure that every aspect of your case is addressed.

“Rollover accidents often leave victims with catastrophic injuries that require long-term care. Our firm is dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of victims and their families, ensuring they receive the compensation needed to rebuild their lives.” — Illinois car accident attorney, John J. Malm

Contact the Illinois Rollover Accident Attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a rollover accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. At John J. Malm & Associates, we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and seeking justice for victims of these devastating crashes.

Contact our experienced Illinois personal injury attorneys in Naperville and St. Charles today for a free consultation. We are here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.