Any crash where a vehicle rolls over is likely to cause devastating injuries and often fatalities. Certain vehicles are more prone to rollover accidents, particularly sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi of Marsalisi Law is an SUV rollover accident lawyer in St. Petersburg with experience and knowledge on counseling injured accident victims. Frank works tirelessly on an individual basis with each of his clients to ensure they’re awarded full and fair compensation for injuries sustained so they can try to regain normalcy in their lives.
Facts and Statistics on SUV Rollover Accidents
SUVs are popular vehicles for Floridians, which increases the likelihood of an accident involving one. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ most recent crash facts, in 2018, there were 149 fatalities from overturning and rollover vehicle accidents. There were 1,851 non-debilitating injuries and 820 debilitating injuries from rollover accidents in Florida for 2018 alone.
Top-Heavy SUV Design
Drivers often feel a false sense of security driving an SUV because they’re higher off the ground and larger vehicles in general. However, SUVs are more susceptible to rollover crashes than any other type of vehicle – this is due to the higher center of gravity and the top-heavy build. These vehicles become more dangerous when driven at higher speeds, in poor weather, or with certain steering maneuvers. When a driver makes a rapid change in direction or rounds a turn at excessive speeds, it can easily rollover. Sometimes, an SUV may even trip on a shoulder, pothole, guardrail, or soft soil.
SUV Roof Safety
In an SUV rollover accident, the roof takes the brunt of the force, which often causes it to collapse on its occupants. As the roof collapses inward, passengers can suffer severe injuries or even wrongful death. Frequently, SUV rollover accidents cause passenger ejections and eruption of flames due to flammable liquids pouring out from the vehicle. For all of these reasons, SUV rollover accidents are notably dangerous.
Holding a Driver Responsible for an SUV Rollover Accident in St. Petersburg
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that 85 percent of rollover crash deaths involve a single-vehicle. This shows that the careless actions of the driver cause many SUV rollover accidents. If you were injured in an SUV rollover accident in St. Petersburg, you could file a claim against the driver for damages by proving they were negligent in the operation of their SUV.
A driver is negligent when they fail to act with the care that a reasonable person would show in the same or similar circumstances. In a personal injury lawsuit, the injured victim (the plaintiff) has the burden of proving that the driver (the defendant) was negligent, which then resulted in injuries.
Drivers in St. Petersburg have a responsibility to exercise care. Examples of a driver’s breach of the duty of care include:
- Driving at excessive speeds;
- Driving while distracted;
- Drinking and driving;
- Texting while driving;
- Overloading the SUV with extra weight.
A plaintiff must prove that the driver’s breach of duty was the direct cause of the injuries to hold him or her responsible.
Who Can Be Held Liable and What Evidence Proves Your Case
Determining liability in rollover accidents requires careful examination of multiple potential defendants. The at-fault party may not always be another driver; manufacturers, government entities, and other parties can also bear responsibility for your injuries.
Potentially Liable Parties
Vehicle manufacturers can be held liable when a defective design or manufacturing causes a rollover accident. This includes SUVs and trucks with high centers of gravity that make them unstable, defective tires that cause blowouts, or faulty electronic stability control systems. We work with automotive engineers who can identify these defects and prove how they contributed to your accident.
Other drivers may be responsible if their negligent actions caused your vehicle to roll over. This includes drivers who cause side-impact collisions, force you off the road, or create dangerous situations through speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving. Road maintenance companies and government agencies can also be liable when poor road design, inadequate guardrails, or dangerous road conditions contribute to rollover accidents.
Critical Evidence in Rollover Cases
The evidence we gather to prove your case includes several key elements:
- Official Reports and Documentation: Police reports provide the initial official record, but we conduct our own investigation to uncover additional facts that may have been missed.
- Vehicle Data and Mechanical Evidence: We obtain black box data from your vehicle and others involved, which can reveal crucial information about speed, braking, and steering inputs before the crash.
- Medical Documentation: Comprehensive medical records document the full extent of your injuries and link them directly to the rollover accident.
- Visual Evidence: Photographs and video footage help reconstruct the accident sequence and show the severity of the impact and vehicle damage.
- Witness Testimony: We interview witnesses promptly before their memories fade to obtain firsthand accounts of what happened leading up to the rollover.
- Expert Analysis: We retain accident reconstruction specialists who use computer simulations and engineering analysis to demonstrate how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an SUV or rollover accident in St. Petersburg or anywhere in Florida, contact Marsalisi Law today for a free consultation. Let our experience, resources, and dedication work for you in holding negligent parties accountable and securing the compensation you deserve.
Damages Injured Victims Can Seek After an SUV Rollover Accident
Damages that an injured accident victim may seek include compensation for:
- Current medical costs;
- Future medical costs;
- Lost wages;
- Loss in future earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
If the SUV rollover accident results in fatalities, the victim’s surviving family might recover damages by filing a wrongful death claim. This type of claim is intended to recover medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of companionship. Families have two years under Florida’s statute of limitations to file a wrongful death claim.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After a Rollover Accident
When you are involved in a rollover accident, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Medical bills pile up, insurance companies start calling, and you may be unable to work while recovering from your injuries. This is where retaining an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer becomes crucial to protecting your rights and securing the monetary compensation you deserve.
Frank P. Marsalisi understands the unique challenges St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay rollover accident victims face in Florida. Our firm immediately begins investigating your case, working with accident reconstruction specialists to determine exactly what caused your vehicle to roll over. This investigation is critical because rollover accidents often involve multiple contributing factors, from vehicle defects to dangerous road conditions. We preserve crucial evidence before it disappears, including taking photographs of the accident scene, obtaining surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and securing your vehicle for inspection.
Insurance companies frequently try to minimize payouts for rollover accidents, sometimes claiming the driver was at fault or that injuries are not as severe as reported. We handle all communications with insurance adjusters, ensuring you do not say anything that could be used against you later. This prevents the insurance company from twisting your words and jeopardizing your claim. Our team knows the tactics insurance companies use and how to counter them effectively. We also ensure you receive proper medical evaluation, as rollover accidents often cause serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries that may not be immediately apparent but can have life-changing consequences.
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover monetary compensation for you. This allows you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities of your case. Frank P. Marsalisi has recovered millions of dollars for injured victims throughout the Tampa Bay region and has the resources to take your case to trial if necessary.
Contact Experienced St. Petersburg SUV Rollover Accident Lawyer Today
At Marsalisi Law, Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi is highly knowledgeable and experienced in SUV rollover accident injury claims in St. Petersburg. Frank provides accident victims the support and advocacy they need and has a proven track record of successful case settlements that demonstrates his ability. You can be confident in partnering with Marsalisi Law to provide trusted representation and fight for just compensation. To schedule a free consultation with Marsalisi Law, and discuss the legal options available to you, complete our contact form or call 727-800-5052.
Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.
