Getting into a car accident is one of the most stressful situations a person can experience. From that one incident, there are many ramifications to consider: Is anyone injured? Will medical expenses be covered by insurance? Will your car insurance rates go up? How long will it take for your car to be repaired? And to add insult to injury: Will there be any legal liability issues?
What does it mean when a car is totaled?
“Totaled” is a short way of saying that the damage to a car is so extensive, the vehicle is deemed to be a total loss. In other words, there’s no point in fixing it, since doing so would be more expensive than buying a new one.
When this happens, a car insurance company will send the affected party a check for the value of the totaled car. Due to the severity of rollover accidents, cars are usually totaled when they sustain this type of impact.
What is a rollover car accident?
A rollover accident is a crash where one or more cars roll over to their side or end up upside down after rolling. If the car was going at a particularly fast speed, it’s possible for it to continue rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Not only do these type of accidents cause substantial damage to the car, but the people inside often come out with significant injuries, both physical and emotional. In addition, the likelihood of death increases.
What increases the chance of a rollover accident?
Motor vehicles with a higher center of gravity have a higher chance of this type of accident. Think sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pickup trucks, and minivans. While everyone should always heed speed limit signs, it’s even more important for these types of vehicles to do so.
While speeding is the most common reason for this type of crash, there are other factors can contribute, such as:
– Distracted driving (seriously, put down that cell phone already)
– Driving under the influence (Call Uber. Save yourself the risk and the criminal charges).
– Driving on rural roads; (they are less likely to have barriers separating roadways from ditches).
– Weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds
– Failing to slow down when maneuvering a curve
– Driving with overworn tires (see here for signs that you need new ones).
– Excessive weight loads
– Poor visibility due to weather conditions (another good reason to slow down).
– Sharp turns of the steering wheel.
What to do after a rollover accident
The most important thing to do after this type of accident is to turn off the engine. This will reduce the chance of explosion. That being said, it’s impossible to know with certainty whether the risk has been eliminated, so if your injuries allow, get out of the car as soon as possible, and try to get as far away from it as you can.
It’s a good idea to carry a window punch in your glove compartment to ensure that you can break the windows in the event that the doors won’t open.
Once you’re at a safe distance from the vehicle, call 911.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins for Consultation
Serious car accidents come with a long list of consequences. If you or someone you love has been involved in a rollover accident, give us a call. Every case is different and circumstances will come into play when determining the type of compensation you’re entitled or the type of legal liability you could face.
At Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins PA, we have experienced car accident attorneys who can best design a strategy to help you.
Contact us, and let’s discuss your case.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended to be for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney/client relationship.