Rollover Accidents Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries
The forces involved in a motor vehicle accident can be tremendous. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles consistently travel at speeds faster than the human body was designed to travel, and the body is simply not equipped to deal with the physical forces that can be exerted on it in the event of a sudden impact.
In cases in which a vehicle loses control and rolls over, occupants can be exposed to particularly violent impacts with the interior of the vehicle and may be violently thrown from side to side in their seats. As a result, serious injuries can occur, including traumatic brain injuries1, or TBIs. TBIs that are sustained in rollover accidents have the potential to leave victims with serious medical issues, so it is very important that anyone who has sustained a TBI discuss their legal options with an experienced Clearwater traumatic brain injury lawyer as soon as possible.
What is a rollover accident and why are they so dangerous?
Rollover accidents2 occur when a car, truck, or other vehicle rolls over onto its side or even onto its roof. These accidents can involve a vehicle simply tipping over during a particularly hard turn or may involve multiple flips before the vehicle comes to rest. Rollover accidents are among the most dangerous type of motor vehicle accident for a number of reasons.
First, when a car or truck rolls over, the vehicle no longer has its tires in contact with the ground, meaning that it is impossible for the driver to exert any control over the vehicle. This means that once a rollover accident has started, it is possible that the vehicle that is rolling over will hit several objects or other cars or trucks before it comes to a stop. In addition, during a rollover, passengers often strike their heads and other body parts against the interior of a vehicle, potentially causing serious injuries. Finally, not all vehicles are designed to handle the forces that can be applied to a vehicle’s roof if it happens to come to rest upside down. As a result, it is very possible for occupants to be trapped or injured by a car or truck whose roof has completely collapsed.
How do rollover accidents cause traumatic brain injuries?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when external forces applied to a person’s head result in a disruption in normal brain function. These forces may be the result of an object forcefully striking the head or may simply be the result of the head jerking forward or backward quickly on the neck. In a rollover accident, either of these scenarios can easily occur, due to the forces that are involved in a vehicle rollover.
Rollover accidents can especially cause TBI if the vehicle is not manufactured appropriately to protect motorists. For example, if a seat belt is defective, a vehicle occupant may not be appropriately restrained as the car rolls over and may hit their head on the roof or sides of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have side airbags that properly deploy, an occupant may be ejected from the vehicle and their head may have a severe impact with the ground. Additionally, if the roof of the car is not reinforced and it crumples, occupants may strike their head on the ground or any other objects in the vehicle’s path.
Common causes of rollover accidents
Rollover accidents can be caused by a wide variety of factors. As is generally the case in car accidents, determining the cause of a rollover accident is essential in determining legal liability. Some of the more common causes of rollover accidents include the following:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving3
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Driving while impaired
- Failure to observe traffic signals
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Not stopping at a stop sign
- Driver fatigue
- Reckless driving
- Under-inflated or over-inflated tires
Contact an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney for a free consultation today
At the Dolman Law Group in Clearwater, Florida, our attorneys know how to handle auto accident cases involving traumatic brain injuries. We understand how much a TBI can affect your life and always strive to make sure you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible. Please call today at 727-451-6900 for a free consultation.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900
https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/brain-injury-attorneys/
References:
1 http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/severe.html
2http://www.safercar.gov/Rollover
3http://www.distraction.gov/
