All car accidents are frightening, but rollovers are especially scary. If a vehicle loses contact with the roadway and turns on its side or flips onto its roof, its driver has no control of it. The driver and the passenger are at the mercy of the laws of physics.
Rollover accidents often happen at high speeds and can have a devastating impact. Occupants of the vehicle that rolled over could sustain fatal or permanent injuries. In addition, rollovers often cause injuries to people in other vehicles in the vicinity.
If you were hurt in a rollover crash and you believe another party was at fault, contact a Johnstown rollover accident lawyer as soon as possible. With guidance from an experienced motor vehicle wreck attorney, you could collect monetary damages from the responsible party.
Some passenger vehicles, specifically sport utility vehicles (SUVs), are more prone to rollovers than sedans and other passenger cars. SUVs have a high center of gravity, making it easier for them to tip. Manufacturers have issued recalls of some SUVs because of an unacceptably high propensity to rollover.
Most rollover wrecks occur because of someone’s negligence. Speed could be a factor—if a car is proceeding at high speed and encounters an obstruction, the force could cause the car to flip. Similarly, a vehicle might roll if it takes a curve or corner too quickly. Multi-car pileups could cause rollovers from rear-end impacts. Investigation often reveals that alcohol or distracted driving is a factor in a rollover crash.
A proactive Johnstown attorney could review the police reports, interview witnesses and involved drivers, and examine photos of the scene and medical records to identify parties who could have responsibility for a rollover accident. A dedicated legal professional could assert a claim against the liable parties seeking compensation for the full-extent of your losses.
If an injured person’s lawyer can prove another party was negligent in a rollover wreck in Johnstown, the victim could sue the negligent party for damages. An injured person must seek reimbursement from his or her personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills, which all insurers must include in car insurance policies, according to 75 P.S. §1711. You can then seek to recover any additional medical expenses if the PIP coverage limits are inadequate to cover an injured person’s losses.
Additionally, an injured person can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for other economic and non-economic damages.
Damages include reimbursement for diminished income and injury-related medical costs. An injured person also could be entitled to compensation for his or her non-economic damages, such as:
Anyone could sue an at-fault driver seeking compensation for medical costs and lost income. However, in many cases, only drivers with full tort coverage could sue another driver seeking non-economic damages.
Limited tort insurance costs less than the full tort option, but it prevents drivers from suing for pain and suffering unless an exception applies, such as a serious injury.
Many people sustain significant injuries in rollover accidents. This exception could apply if the injuries might have caused death and resulted in serious impairment of a bodily function or permanent disfigurement. However, a rollover wreck lawyer in Johnstown must prove that an injury qualifies as serious as the law defines it.
Insurance companies for negligent drivers often contest an injured person’s claim that his or her injury qualifies them to be exempt from the limited tort election. A diligent legal professional could present expert medical opinions and testimony to substantiate the severity of a rollover accident victim’s injuries.
Settling auto collision claims in Pennsylvania is complicated, and someone without legal training might miss opportunities to secure a reasonable settlement. Even worse, insurance companies often take advantage of severely injured people and induce them to settle for far less than his or her claims are worth.
A Johnstown rollover accident lawyer could help ensure you receive the comprehensive compensation you deserve. Call Marcus & Mack today.
