Northern California Rollover Accident Lawyers
Did you get hurt in a rollover car accident? Was it the result of another person’s negligent actions? If so, contact the car accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm to discuss your legal options. You might be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other costs associated with the crash. You should not be the one who has to pay. We will fight to hold the at-fault driver liable and work towards recovering the maximum amount of money you’re owed.
Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof. It can involve just one car or multiple vehicles. The sudden change in momentum of a vehicle during a crash typically causes it to roll. The vehicle collides with another vehicle, stationary object, or pothole with such force that it can’t stay on all four wheels. The injuries people sustain in accidents like this can be quite severe, and some even life-threatening.
At Tiemann Law Firm, we have been representing clients for over 20 years and have achieved favorable results in many accident cases. Don’t leave your case in the hands of someone inexperienced. Call us at (916) 999-9000 for a free consultation with one of our Northern California rollover accident lawyers.
Common Causes of Rollover Accidents
Cars with a high center of gravity, such as SUVs and commercial trucks, are more susceptible to rolling during an accident. However, any type of vehicle could roll given the right circumstances. A combination of speed, road conditions, and other factors can result in a car rolling over during a collision with another vehicle.
The most common causes of rollover accidents are:
- Driving at excessive speeds or too fast for conditions
- Sudden maneuvering
- Taking a turn too fast
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield to other drivers
- Steering overcorrection
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Merging without checking blind spots first
- Reckless driving in inclement weather
Driver error is a common factor in causing car accidents. Thousands of people travel on Northern California roadways every day. Remaining diligent behind the wheel is crucial to avoid a dangerous situation. Unfortunately, many drivers are rushing to get to work, or they become distracted by their cell phones. The split-second decision to blow through a red light or respond to a text message could result in a catastrophic accident.
Tiemann Law Firm knows the challenges that come with recovering after a crash. When a vehicle rolls over, the roof and sides can cave in, pinning the occupants inside. The injuries you suffered likely require medical treatment to heal. The at-fault driver should bear the financial responsibility of those expenses. We know how to determine the value of an accident victim’s case and pursue the maximum compensation they need to cover their costs.
Rollover Accidents Can Lead To Debilitating Injuries
When someone isn’t wearing their seatbelt, they could get ejected from a rolling vehicle and sustain life-threatening injuries. They could become trapped under the car or suffer blunt force trauma to the head or other parts of their body. Even those safely restrained in their seat can sustain serious injuries requiring surgery, physical therapy, or other forms of medical intervention to heal.
The most common injuries caused during rollover accidents are:
- Broken bones
- Head and brain injuries
- Crush injuries
- Nerve damage
- Loss of limb
- Internal bleeding
- Ejection injuries
- Paralysis
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
Even if you take all the necessary safety precautions, you could encounter a dangerous driver who puts you in harm’s way. The cost of treating even a minor injury could cause financial strain and a tremendous amount of stress. The Northern California rollover accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm know the hardships you might face and will work hard to achieve your goals.
Seeking A Settlement In An Insurance Claim
California’s fault system requires the party responsible for an accident to cover the injured party’s losses. These losses could include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
Instead of the at-fault driver paying directly, their auto insurance company could compensate the accident victim for their past and future losses. Every motorist must purchase liability insurance with minimum limits for bodily injury and property damage. Property damage covers the expenses associated with repairing or replacing a vehicle after an accident. Bodily injury is for any costs related to the injury sustained in the crash.
You could potentially satisfy your total losses with a liability claim; however, the minimum required coverage amount might not be enough. State law only requires a minimum of $15,000 for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage. If your losses total $30,000, those limits won’t even come close to covering everything.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) is optional insurance available to all drivers. You could choose to opt-out of this coverage when you purchase liability insurance, but you might be entitled to compensation if you kept it on your policy. UM is available if the at-fault driver doesn’t hold liability coverage or the limits they chose aren’t high enough for your losses.
Filing a UM claim could recover compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
Tiemann Law Firm can request a copy of all auto insurance policies and determine how much coverage there is to compensate for your past and future losses. We can file the claim on your behalf and negotiate with the insurance company for a full and fair settlement. If they unfairly deny your claim or refuse to offer a substantial settlement amount, we could file a lawsuit against them and the driver who caused the rollover accident.
You Could Sue the At-Fault Driver After A Rollover Accident
You might not realize all the available options for pursuing compensation. Insurance settlements can offer financial relief to accident victims, but insurance companies rarely play fair. They follow their own agendas and look for valid reasons to deny a person’s claim so they can save money. Most people are unaware that a denied claim isn’t the end of the road. You could file a lawsuit and fight for the maximum available compensation in court.
Lawsuits are complicated to handle, so it would be in your best interest to hire one of our Northern California rollover accident lawyers. We must prepare legal documents, comply with strict deadlines, and build a strong case to take to trial if necessary. If you’re unfamiliar with the civil court system, you probably don’t know how to handle the requirements and deadlines of a legal case.
One of the most critical factors of a lawsuit is the filing deadline. This is known as a statute of limitations. It’s a timeframe for when you must file the initial legal documents to begin the legal process. The statute of limitations in California is two years. That means you have two years from the accident date to sue the at-fault driver. After two years pass, you could lose your right to pursue compensation, now and in the future.
The same losses you can seek in an insurance claim are also available in a lawsuit. You might also be entitled to punitive damages. This punishes the at-fault party for their misconduct instead of compensating you for your losses. Punitive damages are a difficult financial award to win. You must provide the jury with clear and convincing evidence that the other driver acted with malice, fraud, or oppression.
A jury can also assign blame to each party involved in an accident to determine how much compensation they deserve. Pure comparative negligence diminishes an accident victim’s losses by the percentage of fault they share. To clarify, let’s say the rollover accident resulted in $50,000 in losses. The jury decides the other driver was 80% at fault for speeding. They also determine that your actions were 20% responsible for the crash. That means the maximum monetary value you could obtain for your case would be $40,000. You wouldn’t be allowed to pursue the full $50,000 in compensation.
Speak With An Experienced Northern California Rollover Accident Lawyer
Tiemann Law Firm has a proven record of success. We’ve been able to recover millions of dollars for our clients since opening our firm in 1998. We offer the aggressive representation you can depend on in your time of need. We will advocate for your rights and fight hard against the injustices you faced. Someone else caused your injuries, and they should be the one to pay.
We know that no two cases are alike. During our initial meeting, we will get to know you and the details of the rollover accident to determine the best course of action for reaching your goals. We never place our own interests above those of our clients. We will work hard to achieve the outcome you want. You will be our top priority until the end of your case.
If you were in a rollover accident, you need representation from a dedicated and compassionate Northern California rollover accident lawyer. Contact Tiemann Law Firm immediately. We can meet you for a free consultation to review the information you provide and decide if we’re the right firm to meet your needs. Call us today at (916) 999-9000.
