Rollover car accidents are among the deadliest types of crashes in Las Vegas and across the country. When a vehicle tips onto its side or roof, the force of the impact can cause severe injuries or even death. While rollover accidents only make up about 3% of motor vehicle crashes nationwide, they account for nearly 35% of annual traffic fatalities. These numbers show just how dangerous they can be.
For those who survive, the road ahead often involves painful injuries, long recovery times, and financial struggles. Understanding why these accidents happen, what factors make them more likely, and what damages victims can recover can help families prepare for what comes next.
What Are Rollover Accidents and How Do They Happen?
A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle tips over onto its roof or side. In some cases, a car may even roll multiple times before coming to rest. This type of crash can happen to any vehicle, but taller and narrower vehicles like SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and large commercial trucks are at greater risk because of their higher center of gravity.
Rollover accidents can occur for many reasons, including:
- Excessive speed, especially on sharp turns or curved highway ramps
- Side impact collisions from another vehicle
- Tripping on curbs, guardrails, or uneven pavement
- Falling down an embankment
- Reckless or impaired driving
- Poor road conditions such as potholes, ice, or construction hazards
In fact, data shows that about 40% of fatal rollover crashes involve speeding. Road design and driver error both play a role in increasing the risk.
Injuries and Consequences of Rollover Crashes
Survivors of rollover accidents often face serious and life-altering injuries. These may include:
- Broken or crushed bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
- Spinal cord damage that can lead to paralysis
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Lost limbs
In the most tragic cases, rollovers result in fatalities. Families left behind may also experience emotional trauma and financial strain from funeral expenses and the loss of financial support. Even when the victim survives, medical bills, ongoing treatment, and time away from work can create overwhelming stress.
Potential Damages in Rollover Accident Cases
A rollover crash can leave victims with significant expenses and losses. These damages may include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment that can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Lost wages: Income lost during recovery and reduced ability to earn in the future
- Property damage: Costs of repairing or replacing the vehicle and personal belongings inside it
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, and a decline in quality of life
- Wrongful death damages: Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the financial support of a loved one
These damages show why pursuing legal action after a rollover is often necessary to help victims and families recover.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rollover Accident?
Determining liability in a rollover accident is not always simple. Depending on the situation, several parties could be responsible, including:
- The driver: If reckless driving, speeding, or impairment caused the rollover
- Another driver: If a negligent driver hit the vehicle and triggered the crash
- Vehicle manufacturer or mechanic: If a design flaw, defective part, or poor repair contributed to the rollover
- Employers: When commercial drivers cause crashes while working, the employer may be liable
- Government entities or contractors: If poor road maintenance, dangerous design, or hazards like potholes contributed to the crash
- Other parties: In rare cases, a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian entering the roadway unexpectedly may cause a vehicle to swerve and flip
Because liability can extend to multiple parties, accident victims benefit from thorough investigations to uncover the exact causes of the rollover.
Evidence That Can Help Build a Case
Strong evidence is important in rollover accident claims. Helpful forms of proof may include:
- Traffic camera or surveillance video footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Police accident reports
- DUI test results from involved drivers
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
- Maintenance records or mechanic reports
- Victim medical records
Collecting this evidence helps demonstrate how the crash occurred and who should be held accountable.
Your Legal Options After a Rollover in Nevada
Nevada follows a fault-based system for car accidents. This means the person or entity responsible for the rollover can be held financially accountable. Victims may file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
When a rollover accident results in death, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional losses. In some cases, claims can also be brought against vehicle manufacturers or government agencies if defects or road conditions contributed to the accident.
Understanding these legal options gives victims and families a path forward during an incredibly difficult time.
Call Friedman Injury Law Today
The odds of surviving a rollover accident in Las Vegas depend on many factors, including vehicle type, speed, and whether seatbelts were worn. For survivors, the physical and financial impact can last a lifetime. If you or a loved one were injured in a rollover crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
Friedman Injury Law is here to help you seek justice and financial recovery. Call (702) 970-4222 today to schedule a free consultation with our injury law firm and learn how we can help you move forward after a rollover accident.
