Rollover accidents are among the most severe and complex personal injury cases in California. They often involve high-speed crashes, serious injuries, and sometimes multiple parties who may be liable — including drivers, manufacturers, or even government agencies responsible for road design or maintenance.
If you or someone you know was injured in a rollover accident in California, here’s everything you should know:
🚗💥 What Causes Rollover Accidents?
Rollover crashes typically occur when a vehicle “trips” or flips due to:
- Sharp turns at high speed
- Collision impact (especially side-impact)
- Hitting a curb, guardrail, or pothole
- Overcorrecting after veering off the road
- Tire blowouts or mechanical failures
- Top-heavy vehicles (SUVs, trucks, vans)
- Poor road design or maintenance
Some rollovers are single-vehicle, but that doesn’t always mean it was the driver’s fault.
🧾 Determining Fault in a California Rollover Accident
In California, fault is based on negligence — and more than one party may be responsible. Potentially liable parties include:
- Another driver (who caused you to swerve or hit you)
- Vehicle or tire manufacturers (product defects)
- Government entities (poor road maintenance or design)
- Commercial vehicle owners or operators
California is a pure comparative negligence state, so even if you’re partially at fault, you can still recover damages — your compensation is just reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
💰 Compensation You Can Seek
Victims of rollover accidents can pursue economic and non-economic damages:
✅ Economic Damages
- Emergency and long-term medical costs
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Physical therapy or rehab
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Vehicle repair or replacement
✅ Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
📁 Key Evidence in a Rollover Injury Case
- Police report
- Eyewitness testimony
- Dashcam or surveillance video
- Vehicle damage assessment
- Skid marks and debris patterns
- Accident reconstruction expert reports
- Photos of road conditions or hazards
- Black box data from the vehicle
- Medical records showing injury extent and recovery
In product liability cases (e.g., faulty tires or rollover-prone vehicles), expert testimony and engineering analysis may also be required.
🧠 Common Injuries in Rollover Accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries / paralysis
- Broken bones and internal injuries
- Severe lacerations or amputations
- PTSD or psychological trauma
These injuries often require long-term care, which should be factored into any settlement or jury award.
👨⚖️ Do You Need a Lawyer?
Yes — 100% if you’re dealing with:
- Serious or long-term injuries
- A claim against a manufacturer or government agency
- Insurance disputes or denials
- Unclear or shared fault
- Commercial vehicles (e.g., trucks, rideshare vehicles)
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].