Chicago SUV Rollover Accident Attorneys

Rollover Accidents with SUV More households than ever before are purchasing Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), which has increased the number of SUV accidents nationwide. SUV manufacturers design these vehicles with narrow or tracks and a higher center of gravity, making it more likely to roll over than any other vehicle classification.

An SUV rollover accident tends to be more dangerous than traditional automobile crashes because of the increased chance of head injuries involved, which produce fatal and non-fatal injuries.

Chicago SUV Rollover Injury Attorney

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC secures the most favorable recovery for our clients injured in Chicago SUV rollover accidents. Our personal injury attorneys will investigate the circumstances behind your accident to determine if bringing a case against another driver or vehicle manufacturer is warranted.

Regardless of the parties involved, you can rest assured that our law firm works with your best interests in mind. All our Illinois sports utility vehicle accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis where a legal fee is charged only when there is a recovery for you.

Risks Associated With SUV Rollovers

Many purchasers of SUVs enjoy the experience of sitting higher in the driver seat when compared to most automobiles. However, sitting taller provides a false sense of security that often leads drivers to speed dangerously in poor weather conditions. Heavy cargo or too many passengers in an SUV can raise the center due to the excessive top-heavy weight.

Statistics from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) tend to exemplify the seriousness of an SUV rollover accident. Their statistics state:

SUV rollover accidents tend to generate approximately 11,000 fatalities each year
A rollover crash in an SUV increases the chance of severe injuries by more than 36 percent
Rollover accidents and SUVs accounted for more than fifty percent of all deaths involving a single-vehicle crash
Ninety percent of all single-vehicle accidents involve rollovers

Insufficient Roof Safety in SUVs

Even though SUV statistics indicate that sport-utility vehicles are more prone to a rollover than other automobiles, not many manufacturers install a roll bar in the car. Consequently, any time a sports utility vehicle flips, the roof tends to collapse through the brute force of the accident.

To date, many SUVs built in the United States have been recalled due to the ongoing likelihood of rolling, or as a result of not meeting the roof safety standards set forth by the NHTSA.

Run Off the Road Accidents

Because of their ability to roll, SUV accidents with a high number of fatalities and serious injuries are the result of run off the road crashes. Many of these accidents happen due to wet or icy roads, poor weather conditions, speeding, ditches, or varying pavement materials that change the traction of the road surface.

Typically, SUVs involved in "run off the road" accidents tend to fishtail, causing an uncontrollable scenario where the driver loses the ability to steer the passenger vehicle. Often, the motorist will over-correct their steering, and the SUV will run off the road with increased potential of rolling over.

The most common types of vehicle rollovers produce potentially fatal and dangerous scenarios. The four specific kinds of rollovers include:

Ramp Rollover - The SUV will roll when one side drives up a ramp or other high object
Lateral Force Rollover - When the SUV is traveling at high speeds around a curve, the vehicle often is forced into a roll due to its high center of gravity
Sideways Skid Rollover - The SUV can easily spin the rear end when traction is lost on the rear wheels or a tire blowout. This action results in tires hitting objects, including curbs and guardrails that cause a rollover
Site-Slop Rollover - Driving the SUV off-road in dangerous road conditions, or unintentionally leaving the road, can roll the vehicle when the surface becomes uneven

An SUV rollover can cause catastrophic injuries, especially if the victims were not wearing seatbelts when the crash occurred.

SUV Rollover Injuries

Because of its poor roof design and construction, when an SUV rollover crash happens, the vehicle's roof tends to collapse inward, causing severe harm to the passengers and driver, or death.

Drivers and passengers who are fortunate enough to survive the passenger car accident often suffer lifelong disabilities and injuries that could include:

Back injuries
Lower cervical neck fractures
Spinal cord injuries involving partial or full paralysis
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Wrongful death

SUV manufacturers are responsible for their design and safety defects. Automobile makers can be held liable for designing a weak roof structure and a high center of gravity on their SUVs.

SUV Rollover Accident Injury FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions related to personal injury and wrongful death claims from sport utility vehicle accidents. We appreciate that you have additional questions related to your situation. Consequently, we invite you to contact our law firm for a free consultation with an attorney who has experience with SUV accident claims and lawsuits.

What Happens in a Rollover Accident?

Many rollover accidents occur when the driver loses control of the vehicle, causing it to turn onto its side and completely flip over or land on its roof. Catastrophic results, including severe injuries and death, can occur when the driver or passengers are not wearing seatbelts.

Many victims of rollover accidents suffer crushing injuries in "T-bone" collisions when a car or truck crashes into the side, and the impact causes it to flip over.

What is the Most Common Cause of a Rollover Accident?

Most rollover accidents are the result of the driver losing control of the vehicle, swerving out of the lane, and turning the vehicle over on its front or side. Nearly every rollover crash is the result of an inexperienced motorist driving under adverse conditions.

However, rollovers can also occur when another car, truck, or commercial vehicle "T-bones" the vehicle from the side, causing it to turn over.

What Vehicle has the Highest Fatality Rate in Rollover Crashes?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 30% of all vehicle fatalities in the United States are caused by rollover crashes. Light passenger trucks have the highest risk of rolling over and killing the driver and passengers.

How do You Survive a Rollover Accident?

The National Safety Council recommends always wearing a seatbelt to avoid severe injury or death in a rollover car accident. In a rollover, remain calm and avoid bending forward or attempting to cover your head during the crash.

If possible, turn the engine off and ensure there's no fire or smoke inside the vehicle that might cause an explosion if gas is dripping from the fuel tank.

How do You Avoid a Rollover Accident?

The National Safety Council recommends operating vehicles constructed with a stable base and low center of gravity. Always remain seated with your seatbelt buckled and slow down when making a turn.

Always respect road conditions and drive defensively, giving others who are sharing the roadway plenty of room. Never drink and drive.

What is a Single Vehicle Rollover?

Single-vehicle rollovers are the most common crashes involving fatalities when no other car or truck is involved in the accident. Single-vehicle rollovers are often the result of operating the car or truck during adverse weather conditions, including slick roads and icy streets.

Rolling over without contacting other vehicles or cars can happen unexpectedly when traveling at excessive speeds and failing to make a turn.

Chicago SUV Rollover Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover Compensation For Your Injuries

The auto accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC protect client's rights when involved in a Chicago SUV rollover crash that involved a safety design defect or driver negligence. If you, or a loved one, were injured in an SUV rollover accident, our car accident lawyers can help.

Our skilled attorneys will hold manufacturers responsible for failing to provide a safe vehicle. Contact our law firm today at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form to schedule a free case evaluation and provide legal advice after your comprehensive personal injury case review.

All discussions with our personal injury lawyers remain confidential through an attorney-client relationship.

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Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld. Michonne Proulx

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own. Ethan Armstrong

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you. Daniel Kaim

Jonathan helped my family heal and get compensation after our child was suffered a life threatening injury at daycare. He was sympathetic and in constant contact with us letting us know all he knew every step of the way. We were so blessed to find Jonathan! Giulia

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