Albuquerque Rollover Accident Attorney

Cars that have a higher center of gravity are more prone to rollover accidents. Among the cars most likely to roll over are SUVs. When there are no rollover bars, the roof may be crushed, resulting in catastrophic injuries or even death to those inside the vehicle.

Rollover accidents may be the fault of a driver or the manufacturer of the SUV. You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries after a car accident in the Albuquerque area. At the Fine Law Firm, our Albuquerque car accident attorneys can explore the details of your case and advise you on your options.

Why Hire an Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer?

Hiring an attorney to represent you after a rollover accident in Albuquerque can increase your chances of securing fair compensation. You can trust an attorney to take over the insurance claims process for you and negotiate for maximum compensation to pay for the full extent of your past and future losses.

A car accident lawyer in Albuquerque can help you in many ways after your rollover crash, such as:

• Connecting you to top doctors in Albuquerque
• Answering your questions and offering personalized legal advice
• Investigating to determine what caused your rollover accident
• Holding one or more parties accountable for your rollover
• Collecting and preserving evidence of fault
• Filing a car insurance claim on your behalf
• Hiring rollover accident experts to help prove your case
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit in Albuquerque, if necessary

Having a lawyer in your corner can allow you to focus your attention on rebuilding your life and healing from injuries while an experienced professional handles the legal legwork of your case. You can enjoy greater peace of mind with a lawyer fighting for the best possible results for your rollover accident case.

Common Causes of Rollover Accidents in Albuquerque

A vehicle tipping over onto its side or rolling onto its roof during a crash can occur for various reasons. Some have to do with the type or velocity of the collision while others relate to inherent vehicle design issues and mechanical failures.

Factors that often contribute to rollover accidents include:

• Driver error or negligence: a driver behaving negligently, or in a way that does not meet the duty of care. Examples include distracted driving, texting, drowsy driving, drunk driving, speeding and making sharp turns.

• Loss of vehicle control: a driver losing control of his or her vehicle, such as overcorrecting or losing traction, leading to a vehicle spinning out, careening off the road, tipping over or rolling. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles.

• Tripped vehicle: “tripping” refers to a vehicle’s tires striking an object, such as a pothole or curb, and causing the vehicle to lose traction. Tripping commonly results in rollover accidents, including single-vehicle crashes.

• Faulty vehicle design or parts: vehicles such as SUVs are designed with high centers of gravity that can increase the risk of rollover accidents. In addition, issues such as tire defects can lead to tire blowouts and related rollovers.

• Overloaded vehicle: overloading a car with cargo or passengers can negatively affect its handling characteristics. A vehicle that is too heavy can be less stable, more difficult to control and more prone to rollover accidents.

Understanding the most common causes of rollover accidents in Albuquerque can help you avoid these disasters as a driver. If you have already been affected by a rollover accident, speak to an attorney to find out if one of these issues may have contributed to your crash.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Rollover Accident?

Immediately following a rollover accident in Albuquerque, your top priority should be your health and safety. Always get medical care after any type of car accident, even if you do not initially notice signs of an injury. The adrenaline from the rollover may mask symptoms such as pain.

Here are the steps you should take immediately after a rollover accident:

1. If your vehicle lands right side up and it is possible to do so, move the disabled car out of the way of traffic to prevent additional collisions. Otherwise, leave it where it is and wait for the police to arrive.

1. Check yourself and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries. Rollover accidents can inflict severe injuries that require emergency medical care. Call 911 and request an ambulance if anyone looks injured.

1. Limit your movements until help arrives. If you feel pain in your back or neck or numbness or tingling anywhere in your body, you may have a spinal cord injury that could be exacerbated if you move the wrong way. Only move if it is necessary to do so for your safety.

1. Do not admit fault for the accident while exchanging information with the other driver (if there is one). Get the other driver’s name, contact information, a description of the vehicle and insurance information.

1. Document the scene while you wait for the police to arrive. If you can, take photographs of the scene of the rollover accident and all involved vehicles. Talk to witnesses and look for surveillance video cameras, as well.

1. Give the police your side of the story. Explain what you believe happened so it becomes part of the official record. Ask for your police report number before you leave to obtain a copy later for your insurance claim.

1. Gather information about the rollover accident and call your car insurance company to file a claim. Answer their questions but do not offer more detail than is necessary. Do not accept a settlement until speaking to an attorney.

Consult with a qualified car accident lawyer in Albuquerque as soon as you can about your rollover crash and the rights you have in terms of pursuing financial compensation. An attorney can take over an insurance claim for you, help you collect evidence and navigate all the other steps involved in pursuing justice.

How Is Fault Determined in an Albuquerque Rollover Accident?

If you wish to pursue compensation after a rollover accident, the first issue is figuring out what caused the rollover. In many cases, it is necessary to retain an expert in accident reconstruction to determine what went wrong. The expert can examine the property damage, witness testimony, debris, and other evidence to evaluate fault.

For example, was the SUV designed such that a rollover was more likely? Was a component broken? Was there a road hazard that caused the car to tip? Or did a driver swerve, necessitating a sudden movement by the driver of a light vehicle that tipped the car over? In some cases, there are multiple people and entities at fault for a rollover accident.

A common reason for rollovers is design defects. SUVs, for example, have to be designed very carefully in order to reduce the possibility of a rollover based on their higher center of gravity and narrow wheel track. When a car’s component parts are not designed safely for an intended and foreseeable use, an accident victim can file a product liability lawsuit. Even SUVs that meet the minimum safety standards are not necessarily crashworthy and may have a roof crush problem.

In some tragic situations, a rollover accident may result in a loss of life. When this happens, certain family members of the victim may be able to bring a wrongful death action against a driver, a manufacturer, or another party whose negligence was responsible for their loss.

What Is Comparative Negligence?

If you are able to prove a design defect or negligence, you may be able to recover damages from the responsible party or parties. However, New Mexico follows the rule of comparative negligence. This means that a plaintiff’s recovery will be reduced by his or her percentage of fault.

As a driver, if you choose to off-road, for example, and take a turn too hard, resulting in a rollover, a jury may assign a percentage of blame for an accident to you, even if the SUV had a design defect. For example, if you are found to be 30 percent at fault for causing the crash, you may be able to recover up to 70 percent of the costs and losses that resulted from it.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover From a Rollover Accident?

If you get injured in a rollover accident in Albuquerque, a successful car insurance claim could allow you to move forward with less financial stress during this difficult time. However, you may need an attorney to help you negotiate a just settlement with an insurance company.

Your lawyer can fight for maximum compensation for all of your related losses, such as:

• Past, current and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Past and future lost income if your injuries prevent you from working
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Disability or disfigurement
• The repair or replacement of your damaged vehicle
• Other personal property damage
• Wrongful death damages, if applicable

In some cases, punitive damages are also awarded to punish a defendant for behaving with particularly reckless or egregious conduct. It is important to consult with a personal injury attorney who can evaluate your rollover accident and pursue maximum compensation for your specific losses.

Call Our Albuquerque Rollover Accident Lawyers Today

If you are hurt in a rollover accident, you may sustain serious injuries. The Albuquerque injury lawyers at the Fine Law Firm are committed to helping Albuquerque residents and other individuals seek the greatest possible compensation after an accident. Contact the Fine Law Firm via our online form or call us at (505) 243-4541 for a free consultation. We also represent injured individuals in Rio Rancho and other areas of New Mexico.