A rollover car accident occurs when a vehicle falls onto its side or roof in a collision. Depending on the force of the wreck, the vehicle may roll over multiple times. Rollover car crashes can involve only one car, but they can also occur when two or more vehicles collide. This type of accident can happen due to many factors, including speeding, defective tires, or poorly maintained roads. Regardless of what caused the wreck, drivers, their passengers, and even their loved ones can suffer significant losses as a result.
After you have experienced a major rollover car accident in Walterboro, understanding what to do next can feel overwhelming and complex. Rollover crashes are more likely to result in serious injury or death than other types of car accidents. As a result, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Regardless of the factors that caused the crash and resulting injuries, call Whetstone Perkins & Fulda to explore your legal options.
Causes of Rollover Accidents
Rollover crashes often involve only one car. Some of the most common causes include:
- Car defects
- Alcohol use
- Speeding
- Overcorrection
- Road defects
- Cargo attached to the vehicle
Additionally, when a car is more top-heavy and higher off the ground, it has an increased likelihood of rolling over in a crash. However, any car has the risk of rolling over in an accident. A Walterboro attorney could review the details of a rollover wreck to determine its cause and who could be held liable for the resulting damages.
Tripped vs. Untripped Rollovers
There are two types of rollover accidents: untripped and tripped. Untripped rollover accidents typically result from steering, speed, or friction with the road. Sometimes they happen because the driver is avoiding a collision with another car or object.
In a tripped rollover accident, the car “trips” over something. That can be a curb, a collision with another car, a defective roadway, or something on the ground.
Effects of Negligence on a Rollover Accident Claim
South Carolina is a modified comparative fault state. This means the injured person’s total damages are affected by their percentage of responsibility for the accident. For example, if the injured motorist is 30 percent responsible, they will still be able to receive damages, but the amount will be reduced by 30 percent. However, if the injured motorist is found to be more than 50 percent at fault for the crash, they cannot recover any damages.
To prove that someone is at fault for a Walterboro rollover accident, an injured person must establish specific factors. They must be able to prove the other driver owed a genuine duty of care to them. This is often the least difficult detail to establish since all motorists owe those around them a duty of care when they operate their vehicles on public roads. The injured motorist must also prove that the driver violated this responsibility and that this conduct was the direct cause of the resulting accident and injuries.
Compensation for Injuries After a Rollover
The term damages refers to the compensation an injured person can receive for their accident-related losses. There are two common types of damages typically sought in South Carolina: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are measurable and often have receipts or corresponding monetary amounts. Some typical examples include present and future medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning ability.
Non-economic damages are more subjective. They include concepts like mental anguish, temporary or permanent disability, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life. It is best to consult with our team at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda to gauge what kinds of damages an injured motorist could seek after a rollover car crash in Walterboro.
Reach Out to a Walterboro Rollover Accident Attorney
Some people wonder if they need a lawyer after experiencing a car accident. It can be difficult to conduct your own legal case in the best of circumstances, let alone while recovering from what happened. Whetstone Perkins & Fulda could take the lead in all legal matters so you can focus on getting back on your feet. Call today for an evaluation of your case after getting hurt in a rollover car accident in Walterboro.
