Frederick Rollover Accident Attorney
Most people, on average, will be in three to four car crashes during their lives. Many of those wrecks will be minor impacts, including fender benders. We can all hope never to be in a rollover crash, as these crashes are some of the most serious accidents on the road. The risk of death is disproportionately high for rollovers compared to other accidents. In part, the reason that these collisions come with such a significant risk of fatal injuries is that occupants are often thrown from the vehicles. Wearing a seatbelt is the best way to keep from being ejected in the event of a rollover crash.
If you were injured in a rollover collision caused by another driver, contact an experienced Frederick auto accident attorney today to discuss your claim. At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, our dedicated team of car accident attorneys understands the devastating impact that an accident can have on a person’s life and family. We are ready to represent you and help you get the compensation to which you are entitled.
Negligence Claims in Frederick, Maryland
To prove a case that another driver was negligent, the injured person must show that the defendant behaved in a way that violated his or her duty to use reasonable care. In Maryland, because the state follows what is called contributory negligence, the plaintiff cannot be partly responsible for his or her injuries. This policy can be tricky when it comes to car crashes because many accidents are the result of multiple drivers’ behaviors. Most states will apportion liability and will reduce an injured person’s compensation to reflect that individual’s role in the cause of the crash. Maryland functions on a stricter, all-or-nothing policy, which will prevent some crash victims from collecting compensation even if another party was more at fault for his or her injuries.
In the case of an injured passenger, this is less of an obstacle. Passengers rarely play a role in the cause of a crash. While there might be some unusual exceptions in which a passenger intentionally or negligently distracted the driver, most impacts will be the fault of the people in control of the involved vehicles.
As previously mentioned, one of the worst aspects of a rollover crash is that it often causes ejections. In most of those cases, the crash victims were not using their seatbelts. Defendants cannot use this piece of information to claim contributory negligence against the injured victim. Maryland courts have decided to exclude seatbelt use evidence from personal injury cases where it might otherwise be used to avoid liability on the part of a driver who caused the accident.
The only situations where defendants might succeed in getting seatbelt use evidence into the trial would involve product liability claims against the manufacturer of the car.
What Causes Rollover Crashes in Frederick, Maryland?
Top-heavy cars such as SUVs are more prone to roll than are smaller cars. Vans and pickup trucks are also at a greater threat of overturning because all of these vehicles are higher off the ground. Studies show that newer SUVs are less apt to overturn than older models. Other factors that make cars more likely to roll include poor maintenance, especially when the tires are not properly inflated, and improper overloading of cargo on the vehicle.
Although some cars are more likely to overturn than others, any vehicle can do so. Drivers play a significant part in rollover crashes. Many of these devastating wrecks are the result of a speeding motorist. About 40 percent of deadly rollovers occurred because of drivers who violated the speed limit. Even in cases where the driver was not in violation of the speed limit, he or she may have been driving too fast for the road conditions. More rollover crashes occur on rural roads where speed limits tend to be higher. Drivers can reduce their risk of overturning by lowering their speed, especially on roads that are particularly curvy or slick.
Some of the worst rollover crashes involve multiple vehicle impacts. If a car strikes another vehicle on its broadside, that impact can lead to a rollover. Such collisions are extremely dangerous for the occupants of the car struck on its side.
Compensation in Frederick, Maryland Rollover Crashes
If you suffered injuries in a Frederick, Maryland car crash that was caused by another driver, you could collect damages for the following:
- medical bills
- lost wages
- property damage
- pain and suffering
- disfigurement
- loss of consortium
To learn more about what damages are available to you, based on the individual facts of your case, contact a Frederick, Maryland car crash attorney at Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP.
Call Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP After a Rollover Car Accident in Frederick
At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, our dedicated team of Frederick, Maryland car accident attorneys understands that a rollover crash can lead to lengthy recoveries, lost wages, and devastating impacts on a person’s life and family. Call us today at 301-668-2100 to speak with an experienced car accident attorney.
