While car accidents are common in West Palm Beach, most of them only result in minor property damage. Others, like T-bone accidents, may cause serious injuries. However, some of the most dangerous wrecks that happen in Palm Beach County are overturn or rollover accidents.
Rollover Accidents: Facts and Help
In 2018, there were 9,335 total rollover car accidents throughout Florida. These accidents resulted in 149 deaths, 820 incapacitating injuries, and 1,851 non-incapacitating injuries. With so many injuries, it’s easy to see just how dangerous rollover accidents can be.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our attorneys have seen the devastating effects of rollover accidents firsthand. We have over 20 years of experience helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. In fact, we have recovered over $1 BILLION on behalf of our clients.
Call us today at (800) 560-5059 or contact us online to speak with a free, no-obligation consultation today with a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer.
What Causes Rollover Accidents?
In most cases, rollover accidents are single-vehicle wrecks. They occur when a driver loses control of their vehicle and swerves, overcorrects, and tips over. Rollovers are most common with trucks, SUVs, and other large vehicles since their center of gravity is so high. Smaller cars like sedans are much lower to the ground and therefore less likely to roll over.
Some of the most common causes of single-vehicle rollover accidents include:
- Speeding: Driving at high speeds can be extremely dangerous, especially around curves. While drivers in other regions of the country may be at greater risk due to winter weather, this generally isn’t a problem in West Palm Beach. However, sand on the road can cause vehicles to lose control.
- Distracted or impaired driving: Those who aren’t totally focused on the road are more likely to be in a wreck. Drivers who are texting or have been drinking may swerve or overcorrect, leading to rollover accidents.
- Aggressive driving: When drivers are aggressive on the road, they may suddenly switch lanes and speed around curves. When an aggressive driver loses control of their vehicle, rollovers happen.
In some cases, however, rollover accidents can be caused by another vehicle. For instance, if a driver switches lanes inappropriately, they may cause another driver to suddenly swerve out of the way, leading to a rollover. Or, they may hit a car in the next lane over (called a sideswipe), causing that vehicle to overturn.
What Happens After a Rollover Accident in West Palm Beach
After a rollover accident, you could be dealing with serious injuries. After all, in an overturn wreck the vehicle is often crushed, especially if the vehicle rolls over multiple times. Some of the most common injuries you may suffer in a rollover accident include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
When vehicles overturn, the drivers of those vehicles may get crushed within the vehicle, and their head may bang against the windows, the dashboard, and other surfaces. As such, concussions are a common injury after a rollover accident in West Palm Beach. Concussions range from mild to severe and may require extensive medical treatment.
You may also suffer from an open traumatic brain injury, which occurs when the skull fractures or cracks. You could also suffer from brain bleeds, like a hematoma or hemorrhaging, or slip into a coma. In the most unfortunate instances, a traumatic brain injury can result in death.
Spinal Cord Injuries
In the same way crushing and being thrown around can cause traumatic brain injuries, the aftermath of a rollover accident can also lead to spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be relatively minor, such as bruising of the vertebrae or cartilage disks. However, your vertebrae could also be fractured or crushed, leading to permanent disability or death.
If you have a spinal cord injury, the areas of the body below the injury will be affected. For instance, if you crack a vertebra in your neck, your entire body could lose function and sensation. But if the injury is in your lower back, it would only affect your legs and pelvic organs.
Broken Bones
It’s not uncommon for you to suffer broken bones in your arms and legs after a rollover accident. In most cases, you may need a cast and rest while the bones heal. However, in some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, and even then, the bones may never heal properly.
You may also suffer from broken ribs after this kind of wreck. The ribs themselves will heal on their own with rest and painkillers. However, the real danger comes when these broken ribs puncture internal organs. Shards can puncture the lungs, the heart, and other vital organs, which can be fatal.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries affect the connective tissue in your body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. While these injuries generally aren’t fatal, they can have a long-lasting impact on your daily life. For instance, injuries to your back muscles may make it impossible to work or do household chores.
One of the most common forms of soft tissue injury after a rollover wreck is whiplash. This occurs when the head moves forward then suddenly snaps backward, spraining the muscles in the neck. Whiplash can lead to nausea, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and other side effects.
Get the Help You Deserve After a Rollover Accident in West Palm Beach
If you have been in a rollover wreck in Palm Beach County, you may suffer from serious injuries. Even if you are at fault for the accident, you are owed compensation from your own insurance company through personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. However, if you aren’t at fault for the accident, you may be entitled to greater compensation for your injuries.
That’s where we come in. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we have the skills and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 560-5059 or contact us online to speak with a free, no-obligation consultation today with a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer.
About the Author
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.