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Fatal Car Crashes Decline in Arizona, But Overall Crashes Remain High

Car Rollover Accidents in Phoenix

Holding drivers and manufacturers accountable for rollover accidents in Arizona

Car rollover accidents on highways, such as I-10, I-17, and U.S. Route 60, as well as on state and local roads throughout Phoenix and Tempe, are dangerous. These crashes can result in fatalities and catastrophic injuries to drivers and passengers. Contributing factors to rollover crashes include speeding, curves, and hazardous road conditions. In some cases, defective or poorly designed vehicles may also play a role in causing a rollover accident.

At Verderame Law Group Arizona Injury Lawyers, we have the experience and working relationships with investigators and car-safety and traffic-reconstruction experts to show how rollover accidents occur and who is responsible. We can seek compensation for all your financial and personal damages. Call us today to assert your right to compensation.

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What causes rollover accidents in Arizona?

Rollover accidents are often due to the following causes:

  • A car’s center of gravity. Taller vehicles, like SUVs, have a higher center of gravity, which makes them more prone to rollovers.
  • Driver error. Some of the actions that increase the risk of a rollover accident include speeding, especially on curvy roads. Sudden maneuvers, such as trying to shift lanes too quickly or oversteering, can also cause rollover accidents. A driver who drives in the wrong lane or direction can have a head-on collision with another vehicle, which may involve one or both cars rolling over.
  • Dangerous roads. Large potholes, uneven roads (such as near construction sites), medians, and other obstacles can cause a driver to lose control of their car, causing a car accident.
  • Poor car design and workmanship. Defective, underinflated, or worn tires can lose traction with the road, increasing the risk of a rollover or other serious crash. Vehicles with a higher center of gravity, such as SUVs, must be carefully designed and manufactured to enhance stability and incorporate safety features that reduce rollover risk.

Other causes of rollover accidents in Arizona include:

The NHTSA(opens in new tab) has a rollover resistance rating, “based on an at-rest laboratory measurement known as the Static Stability Factor (SSF) that determines how top-heavy a vehicle is, and the results of a driving maneuver that tests whether a vehicle is vulnerable to tipping up on the road in a severe maneuver.”

What safety precautions can reduce the risk of a rollover accident in Phoenix and Tempe?

At Verderame Law Group Arizona Injury Lawyers, we can review whether a car owner/driver took the following rollover accident safety precautions:

  • Choosing a car with the latest technology, such as electronic stability control
  • Ensuring that tires are properly balanced, inflated, and at the correct tread levels
  • Not storing cargo on the roof of the car or overloading the car beyond the manufacturer's recommended limits.
  • Driving slower, especially before entering a curve
  • Focusing on the road and traffic conditions at all times
  • Being careful near construction sites and where there may be loose gravel

What types of cars are most prone to rollover accidents?

Tall, narrow vehicles are more prone to rollover accidents. These vehicles include SUVs (sport utility vehicles) and pickup trucks. Older vehicles that don’t have electronic stability control are more dangerous. Commercial vehicles (many large trucks and buses) are also more prone to rollover accidents.

Who can be held liable for a rollover crash in Phoenix or Tempe?

Our Phoenix car accident lawyers can file personal injury claims and wrongful death claims against one or more of the following, depending on how the accident happened:

  • Another driver
  • The driver of the car that rolls over, if you are an injured passenger
  • A manufacturer of a defective vehicle
  • A governmental agency or entity (for improper road design and maintenance), subject to state law
  • An employer of a negligent driver
  • The owner of the vehicle, in cases where Arizona law imposes liability under doctrines such as negligent entrustment or the family purpose doctrine

We can file car accident claims based on negligence, product liability, and agency law.

What makes rollover accident cases more complex than other types of crashes?

Rollover accidents can be more challenging than other car accidents for several reasons:

  • Victims may die, which requires filing a wrongful death claim
  • Victims may suffer catastrophic injuries (such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries) that may require a lifetime of medical care
  • There may be multiple defendants
  • There may be a need for expert witnesses, such as car part/car product safety experts and traffic reconstruction experts.

What types of injuries are common in rollover accidents?

Rollover accidents often cause catastrophic, permanent, or serious injuries because the occupants are tossed and turned while the car rolls over. There’s an increased risk of multiple impacts with other vehicles and the road itself.

Our Phoenix and Tempe car accident lawyers handle all types of cases involving serious rollover injuries, including:

How is fault determined in a single-vehicle rollover?

Generally, in a single-vehicle accident, injured passengers can file a claim against a negligent driver. Both the driver and the passengers can file claims against third parties. Third-party defendants may include manufacturers and governmental agencies or entities (where permitted by Arizona law).

In product liability cases, we can file:

  • Strict liability claims. Here, manufacturers may be liable if their products are defective, the defect causes a rollover accident, and the driver and/or passengers suffer injuries.
  • Breach of warranty claims. Breach of warranty claims may apply in certain circumstances, including breaches of express or implied warranties.
  • Negligence claims. This type of claim requires demonstrating that a manufacturer failed to exercise reasonable care in the car's design or workmanship.

What evidence should be collected after a rollover crash?

Generally, we can work with investigators who examine the accident site, speak with witnesses, and collect other information. We can also work with product safety experts who can explain if a car was defective.

Accident victims typically should contact the police and seek immediate medical care after a rollover accident. If a victim or someone with the victim is physically able, they can take photos or videos of the damaged vehicles and the accident site.

What compensation can I recover for a rollover accident in Phoenix or Tempe?

At Verderame Law Group Arizona Injury Lawyers, we can review with your doctors what medical care you currently need and may need in the future, what complications may arise, and how your injuries are affecting every part of your life. We can review your loss of income with your employer and other financial experts, if necessary. Our team may also work with car mechanics and car appraisers to assess any damage to your car.

In a personal injury claim, you may recover compensation for all your past, current, and future damages, including:

  • Medical expenses of every nature by every healthcare provider
  • Lost income and benefits, for as long as you can’t work
  • Daily physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Property damage
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Scars and disfigurement
  • The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
  • The loss of consortium (marital intimacy and comfort)

In a wrongful death claim, you may be entitled to:

  • The funeral and burial costs
  • The loss of financial support
  • The loss of love, guidance, comfort, and companionship
  • Any outstanding medical bills
  • The value of household services the decedent would have performed

In rare cases involving aggravated or reckless conduct, we may also seek punitive damages where Arizona law permits

How long do I have to file a rollover accident lawsuit in Arizona?

Generally, car accident victims must file their claim within two years from the date of the accident or injury.

Generally, families must file their wrongful death claim within two years from the date of death of their family member. There may be much shorter notice requirements if the claim involves a governmental entity or agency, including a 180-day notice of claim deadline and a one-year lawsuit filing deadline under Arizona law.

Please contact us as soon as possible, so we can begin the investigation promptly and review the status of your medical care.

Can vehicle defects or tire failures make a manufacturer responsible?

Yes. As we discussed above, manufacturers may be liable for defective design, workmanship, instructions, or the lack of warnings if any of those defects cause your injuries or the death of a loved one.

Do you have a Phoenix car rollover accident attorney near me?

Yes. Our Phoenix office is conveniently located at 316 E Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85012. We also have an office at 5500 S Lakeshore Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283. Our lawyers also consult with clients by phone and through online video. We can make arrangements to see you away from our offices if your health prevents you from traveling.

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Get help from an accomplished Phoenix rollover car accident lawyer today

At Verderame Law Group Arizona Injury Lawyers, we understand how upset you are. Your health is in jeopardy. Your bills are mounting. Your future is uncertain. Our Phoenix car accident lawyers can answer your questions, explain your rights, and fight for your future. Please call us or complete our contact form today to arrange a free consultation.

We serve clients throughout Maricopa County.