While any car accident can be devastating, rollover accidents are particularly injurious and sometimes fatal. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in 2013, there were 7,067 deaths that occurred as a result of a crash where a vehicle rolled over. Some injuries are more likely to occur than others in a rollover accident, and if you or a loved one were hurt in a vehicle rollover, there is help available for you.

1. Roof Crush Injuries

Some of the most common injuries that occur in a vehicle rollover accident are those caused by the roof being crushed when the car rolls or flips over upside down. The weight of the car crumples the roof, causing the driver and/or passengers in the vehicle to be pinned between the ground and the heavy car. With the roof being flimsy and of little protection, the force of the upside down car can cause serious brain, head, and neck injuries.

2. Injuries Caused by Ejection from the Vehicle

Frequently, drivers or passengers are ejected from a vehicle during a rollover accident. This is particularly true when an individual is not wearing a seat belt and the time of the crash, and is either ejected through an open window or thrown through a window or the windshield from the force of the accident. These types of injuries can be serious. If the individual is thrown far from the vehicle, this force could cause broken bones, head and brain injuries, limb amputations and more. If the vehicle rolls over the person who has been ejected, even more critical injuries can occur.

3. Penetrating Object Injuries

In some vehicle rollover accidents, objects can penetrate the bodies of the victims inside the vehicle. Flying debris can cause head or brain injuries, or can penetrate the body in some other fashion. Penetrating object injuries are quite serious and in some cases, may cause the immediate death of the victim. These objects can be pieces of the car that have broken off in the force of the accident, or outside objects like road signs or portions of guard railing that have been pushed into the vehicle during the accident.

Causes of a Vehicle Rollover Accident

Vehicles can roll over for a number of reasons, but many rollover injuries are a result of the manufacturer of the vehicle failing to design the vehicle or implement safety precautions in a way that would reduce or prevent the automobile's ability to roll. Other causes can include poor road conditions or losing control of the vehicle for some reason.

How an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Can Help Your Family

Recovering physically and emotionally from a vehicle rollover accident is challenging. The costs associated with a vehicle rollover accident tend to be high, and many families find themselves in a financial crisis after such a collision. If the accident that hurt you or a loved one was caused by the negligence or carelessness of a vehicle manufacturer or another driver on the road, you may be eligible for financial compensation for the damages you've incurred.

An experienced car accident lawyer can help you determine what caused the accident and who may be able to be held legally liable for the injuries inflicted upon you and your family. Compensable damages might include medical costs, vehicle repairs, lost time from work, and funeral expenses if a loved one was killed in the accident. The success of your case hinges greatly on acting quickly, so don't hesitate to reach out to a seasoned car accident attorney to discuss your legal options as soon as possible. Contact a firm like Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC for more information.