Major Injury Rollover in Sacramento
A major injury rollover happened in Sacramento on November 30 shortly before 2:00 in the afternoon at the intersection of Cottage Way and Howe Avenue, close to Howe Community Park. It involved a pickup truck and an unknown vehicle. The occupants of the overturned vehicle may have been trapped inside. The Sacramento Fire Department was called to the scene to help as well as assess injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). At least one major injury was reported in the collision. It is unknown at the time of this report to which medical facility the injured were transported or the nature of their injuries.
Causes of a Major Rollover Accident
The most common causes of a rollover accident are:
- Tire failure: This happens when tires are defective, not maintained or roll over a sharp object. It can cause the vehicle to spin out of control and rollover.
- Tripping: This mechanism is often the cause of a rollover. It happens when the tires hit gravel, soft dirt or even a roadway barrier or a curb. This can make the vehicle fall on its side or pitch forward into a rollover.
- High center of gravity: Some vehicles have a high center of gravity. This predisposes the vehicle to roll over. This group includes SUVs and light trucks.
- Chain reaction accidents: When multiple vehicles crash, a side impact collision is likely. Such collisions often result in a rollover.
Injuries in a Rollover Accident
At our law firm, we realize how traumatic a major injury rollover can be. Remember, if you were in a rollover accident, you might be compensated for necessary medical expenses due to injuries. The type of injuries involved in a major injury rollover accident depends on many things, particularly the type of vehicle involved and the ability of the driver. Rollovers only make up roughly 1 percent of roadway crashes but account for 33 percent of deaths. Not using restraints such as seat belts, injuries are increased in a rollover accident. Some of the injuries frequently found in these violent crashes are:
- Cervical injuries: The cervical area or neck is often injured in a rollover. Some of the more common injuries are cervical sprain (whiplash), nerve damage and herniated disks.
- Head injuries: Head injuries are common in rollover crashes. The severity often is greater if the roof of a vehicle is not strong enough to withstand the additional pressure. The injuries can range from lacerations on the head to penetrating head wounds and skull fractures to traumatic brain injury.
- Fractures: Any bone in the body is susceptible to fracture in a rollover crash.
- Back injury: Due to the violent forces exerted on a body in a rollover, the spinal column and the cord can be injured. Spinal cord damage is described by where it occurs. For instance, damage to the spinal cord in the cervical area may result in total body paralysis with serious complications. If the cord is damaged in the lumbar or low back area, the lower extremities may be paralyzed, but the upper extremities probably will not.
- Soft tissue injury: Soft tissue injury to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles account for many rollover injuries.
Crushed Roof in a Rollover Accident
Automakers are mandated to make the roof strong enough to support 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle. When this is not done, the roof can collapse inward in a rollover. This can cause major injuries or death. Crushed roof accidents can result in a lawsuit against the vehicle’s manufacturer. Since California operates under the law of strict liability, plaintiffs are not obligated to prove negligence. They have only to prove that the vehicle was used in the way it was intended, it was not altered, and their injuries resulted from the defect.
What Can Prevent a Rollover Accident
Driving at a safe speed and other behavior modifications can help to prevent a major injury rollover. However, the auto industry’s use of electronic stability controls in newer models reduces their occurrence by decreasing a driver’s loss of control. Older models do not always have this option, predisposing them to major injury rollovers.
How an Attorney Can Help
Seeking legal advice after a rollover accident can help you receive the compensation you deserve. An experienced rollover attorney will investigate the accident for liability. If a crushed roof is involved, your lawyer can test the roof’s strength to see if it was in compliance. By talking to witnesses and reviewing medical records, the attorney will build a strong case. If a vehicle’s occupant was killed in the crash, the attorney could help the family by preparing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. If you were hurt in a rollover accident or a member of your family died, you might benefit from legal advice. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free and friendly advice. I can be reached online on my contact us page if that is more convenient.
I’ve helped numerous residents of Sacramento since 1982 with all types of car accidents, wrongful death cases, and traumatic brain injuries.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates. This forum only allows members who have won more than $1 million for a client.
When you need an attorney, you should learn about them. You can read reviews from former clients and some of my peers as well as see how I resolved prior cases on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_79745536_l-2015
:cd llo [cs 934] cv