Jason Stephens | July 31, 2020 | Car Accidents

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, 35-year-old Abraham Arcos lost his life in a tragic car accident in the 9200 block of Garland Road in Dallas. According to reports, Mr. Arcos lost control of his vehicle as he passed another vehicle.

The vehicle crashed into a light pole before it flipped and landed upside down. Mr. Arcos was pronounced dead at the accident scene.

What are Rollover Accidents?

In a rollover accident, the vehicle flips on its side during the collision. In some cases, the vehicle may roll over completely one or more times before it comes to a stop. Some vehicles land on their sides, but some vehicles may come to rest on their roofs. 

In many cases, a vehicle rolls over because the tires hit a tripping hazard, such as a curb, road shoulder, or pothole. However, a vehicle can roll over when a driver turns or takes a curve at a high speed or overcorrects. The gravity shifts causing the vehicle to flip over. 

Rollover Accidents are Very Dangerous

Rollover accidents are some of the most dangerous types of collisions. Accidents involving rollovers have a higher fatality rate compared to other kinds of crashes. 

Rollover crashes make up a small percentage of the crashes each year in the United States. In 2010, rollover accidents accounted for just 2.1 percent of the total car accidents. However, rollover accidents accounted for almost 35 percent of the traffic fatalities. 

The causes of rollover accidents vary, but many of the causes involve poor driving behaviors or human error. Because almost 85 percent of rollover accidents are single-vehicle crashes, the data suggests driving behavior plays a big role in the cause of rollover accidents. 

Some of the common factors involved in a rollover crash include:

SUVs, trucks, and other top-heavy vehicles have a higher risk of rolling over during a collision. However, any vehicle is subject to rolling over, given the right circumstances.

Rollover Accident Injuries are Deadly

When a vehicle rolls over, the sides and roof of the vehicle generally crush inward toward the occupants. The occupants are “closer” to the impact with the pavement or hard surface, which can cause catastrophic injuries.

Passengers in a rollover accident can be thrown around within the vehicle, which increases the risk of injury. Also, occupants may be ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle can roll over the person, in addition to the person being violently thrown against the ground or other objects.

Common rollover accident injuries include:

In the worst cases, victims sustain life-threatening injuries that result in death. In some cases, injuries may result in permanent impairments or disabilities. A person may be unable to work or care for themselves because of the injuries sustained in a rollover accident.

Can I File a Lawsuit for a Rollover Accident?

Even though most rollover car accidents are single-vehicle crashes, there are cases in which other parties might have some liability for the crash. 

For example, if a tire blowout caused a rollover accident, an attorney may investigate the accident to determine if the tire was defective. If a defective tire causes the rollover crash, the tire manufacturer might be liable for the victim’s damages and losses.

Likewise, if a large pothole caused a driver to lose control of the vehicle and the vehicle rolled over, a government entity could be liable for damages. If the government entity was negligent in maintaining the road, it could be subject to a personal injury claim. However, filing claims against government entities can be challenging because these types of personal injury lawsuits have shorter filing deadlines and special rules.

When another vehicle is involved in a rollover accident, the driver of the other vehicle could be liable if he or she caused the accident. Attorneys gather evidence to build a case against the other driver for fault and liability. Evidence might include:

  • Copies of crash reports and police reports
  • Statements from all drivers
  • Physical evidence from the accident scene
  • Photographs and videos of the accident
  • Statements from eyewitnesses
  • Data collected from the vehicle 

Contacting an accident attorney as soon as possible is a wise decision. The time to file a lawsuit for a rollover accident is limited. The Texas Statute of Limitations sets deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit and wrongful death lawsuits related to traffic accidents. 

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth car accident lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.

Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000