A rollover car accident occurs when a vehicle tips onto its roof or even flips one or more times, and frequently causes devastating injuries and death. The survivors of vehicle rollovers often require significant medical intervention before they can recover, and many end up suffering permanent injuries.
Some vehicles are poorly designed and prone to rollovers, and sometimes road design leads to cars overturning. Additionally, multi-vehicle accidents could cause rollovers when the force of impact launches a vehicle onto its roof or side.
If you were in a rollover car accident in Memphis and you believe another party’s negligence was a factor in the crash, consulting a local personal injury attorney is a wise move. Our experienced truck accident attorneys at the Reaves Law Firm could review the circumstances and pursue any negligent parties for damages.
When a car overturns in a multi-vehicle crash, the other drivers could be liable for damages if their conduct contributed to the accident. Collisions forceful enough to cause a rollover often involve speeding, distracted driving, or driving while impaired. Police and accident investigators might review the evidence and assign blame to one or more parties. Under some circumstances, an establishment that served alcohol to an underage or already impaired individual could bear liability.
The potential for a rollover exists if a vehicle hits an obstruction in the road. Depending on the circumstances, the local government responsible for maintaining the road and the civil engineering firm that designed it could be liable for an injured person’s damages.
Some vehicles are prone to rollovers, and in that case, an injured person could bring an action against the vehicle manufacturer. If a Memphis attorney could prove that a design flaw rendered the vehicle unreasonably dangerous, the manufacturer could be liable for the claimant’s damages that resulted from their vehicle rolling.
Negligent parties are responsible for compensating an injured person’s losses. These include the costs of medical care and ongoing treatment, rehabilitation services, durable medical equipment, and all expenses necessary to treat and live with the injury. Damages also cover an individual’s lost income and provide payment to cover diminished earning potential in the future.
Injured people are entitled to seek damages for their pain, suffering, lost enjoyment of life, and other results of the accident that erode their quality of life. However, Tennessee Code §29-39-102 limits an award of these non-economic damages to $750,000 in aggregate.
Since those involved in overturned vehicle wrecks often suffer catastrophic injuries, the limit on non-economic damages is raised to $1,000,000 if the accident caused:
In rare cases where a negligent party’s conduct was intentional, malicious, or egregiously reckless, an injured person could seek punitive damages. A Memphis attorney could advise someone injured in a rollover crash whether pursuing punitive damages is appropriate in their case.
Securing a reasonable settlement after a serious car accident could be a complicated and contentious process. It is a matter best left in the capable hands of an experienced attorney.
The Reaves Law Firm is skilled in estimating damages and negotiating to get a settlement that accurately reflects a plaintiff’s losses. If you were hurt in a rollover car accident in Memphis, call today to schedule a case review.
