Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are uncommon but nonetheless account for a large number of car accident deaths. While most car accidents are caused by negligent driving, rollover accidents are often caused by an unsafe design of the vehicle or road or improper vehicle maintenance. Regardless of who is at fault, if you were injured or suffered property damage due to a rollover accident, you may be able to recover compensation. Proving liability for a rollover accident can be complicated, and it is in your best interest to retain a seasoned attorney to assist you in pursuing your claims. The New Hampshire car accident lawyers at Peter Thompson and Associates have been representing victims for more than 60 years collectively.

Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle tips over, landing on its side or roof. While any car can tip over, rollover accidents are more common in SUVs. Most rollover accidents are caused by tripping, which means that the car’s tire hits something like a stone or bump, which alters the forward motion of the car, causing it to roll over. Rollover accidents can also be caused by defects in the car, unsafe road design, and improperly maintained tires. Determining the cause of a rollover accident, and therefore who may be responsible for any harm caused by the accident, can be a complex process. If you were injured in a rollover accident, an experienced attorney can analyze the facts surrounding your accident and help identify anyone responsible for your harm.

In cases in which a rollover accident was caused by an unsafe car design, you may be able to pursue compensation from the manufacturer of the car. In New Hampshire, a claim alleging that a car manufacturer should be held liable for injuries caused by a defective car design is known as a product liability claim. In product liability cases in which it is alleged that the design of a car was unsafe, it is common to set forth multiple theories of liability, including strict liability and negligence. To recover on a negligence claim, you must show that the manufacturer owed you a duty of care, which it breached, and that the breach caused the accident and your damages. Conversely, to recover on a theory of strict liability due to a deficient car design, you need to prove that the car was designed in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous, it was not modified from its original design, and the design flaw caused the accident and your harm. In any case in which you seek to hold a car manufacturer liable for injuries caused by a rollover accident, you most likely will need to retain one or more experts to support your theory of liability.

If a rollover accident was caused by an unsafe design or maintenance of a road, you may be able to seek damages from the entity that designed the road and is responsible for its maintenance. Most public roads are designed and maintained by state and local governments. Holding a municipality liable for an unsafe road design is difficult, since municipal entities have immunity from many claims. To recover on a claim that an unsafe road design caused an accident, the injured party must show that the municipality was aware of the alleged defect in the road and failed to take the steps necessary to repair the defect.

If you were involved in a rollover accident, you may be able to recover the cost to repair any damage to your vehicle. Additionally, you may be able to recoup the cost of any medical treatment, including physical therapy, adaptive devices, and prescriptions. If you could not work because of your injuries, you can seek compensation for lost earnings. You may also be able to recover compensation for any pain and suffering that you experienced due to your injuries.

Rollover accidents can be traumatic, and they often result in serious and lifelong injuries. If you were injured in a rollover accident, you should consult a New Hampshire attorney to analyze the facts of your case and develop a plan for seeking compensation. The attorneys at Peter Thompson and Associates are proficient in handling complex car accident cases and will work diligently to help you pursue a favorable outcome. Our skillful representation has resulted in a record of successful verdicts. Our offices are located in Bedford, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Manchester, New Hampshire, and we can represent clients throughout the state. Contact us at 800.804.2004 or through our form online to schedule a meeting.