Rollover Accidents Lawyer

When you picture a traumatic car accident, you probably imagine a head-on collision. Often, however, the most terrifying incidents involve just one vehicle. Rollover accidents, in particular, can be deadly, as occupants can be ejected or even crushed.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollover accidents accounted for just 1.6 percent of total car crashes in 2020 — but they were responsible for a shocking 7.5 percent of motor vehicle fatalities. What’s more, these crashes resulted in 47,325 severe injuries nationwide. Compared to other types of crashes, rollovers were less likely to end with only property damage — in most cases, somebody was hurt.

Given the high stakes of these accidents, it’s incredibly important for victims to seek damages. Medical costs can add up quickly, especially since rollovers tend to prompt spinal injuries that require years of rehabilitation.

If you’ve been harmed in an Indiana rollover accident, strong legal support is critical. Stephenson Rife LLP could be a great resource as you strive for fair compensation and a sense of justice. We will guide you through this complex process, ensuring that you’re fully prepared for all the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

What Are Rollover Accidents? Why Are They So Dangerous?

Rollover accidents are among the most terrifying and deadly crashes imaginable. As their name implies, these occur when motor vehicles flip onto their side, or even the roof.

The vehicle in question may sometimes roll just once, but it’s common for several rotations to occur before the vehicle finally comes to a stop. Drivers or passengers may be thrown from the vehicle, especially if they’re not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Rollover accidents can lead to many types of severe injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Lacerations from broken glass
• Rib fractures
• Broken legs
• Herniated discs
• Chemical burns.

Emotional distress is also common, with some victims even suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Following a rollover accident, simply riding in a car for a few minutes may seem terrifying.

What Causes Rollover Accidents?

A variety of situations can lead to rollover accidents in Indiana. Some factors are beyond the driver’s control, such as icy surfaces or poor visibility. Often, however, negligence is at play. This may take one of two major forms:

Driver Negligence

Whether exhibited by the person operating the vehicle that rolls over or by some other driver, negligence behind the wheel is always inexcusable.

Rollover cases often involve inattentive or aggressive driving. Examples include:

• Speeding
• Texting behind the wheel
• Following other vehicles too closely
• Driving under the influence
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Not slowing down when navigating bends in the road.

As we’ve mentioned, this form of negligence can be further divided into two subcategories: negligence from the driver of the rolled-over vehicle and negligence from another vehicle that doesn’t actually roll over.

When the driver of the rolled-over vehicle is held liable, the plaintiff is often one of the passengers. This situation is common, as rollover accidents often involve just one vehicle.

Still, there are cases in which one vehicle swerves out of the way to avoid an inattentive or aggressive driver, and the act of swerving prompts a rollover accident. In this situation, liability may primarily involve the driver of the vehicle that didn’t roll over.

Vehicle Malfunctions

Some vehicles are far more vulnerable to rollover accidents than others. This has long been a point of concern for SUVs and trucks, which are far more top-heavy due to their high center of gravity.

Because these vehicles are so susceptible, strong construction is absolutely crucial. Already dangerous rollovers can be far more deadly in vehicles with weak roofs or malfunctioning side curtain airbag sensors.

Defective tires are also a risk factor. This is true not only for commonly vulnerable vehicles such as SUVs and trucks, but also, for small sedans. Tread cracks and defective sidewalls are chief sources of concern.

Why You Need an Indiana Rollover Accident Lawyer

Going it alone is not an option when you need car accident compensation. The legal process is simply too complicated and too stressful to handle on your own. An Indiana rollover accident lawyer can handle this burden on your behalf, so you can focus on recovering.

While no two rollover accident cases look exactly alike, they can hold several similarities when a skilled Indiana car accident lawyer is involved. Advantages of working with a local attorney include:

Thorough Investigations

Details matter in the aftermath of rollover accidents, both when dealing with car insurance companies and when seeking personal injury damages. It takes an abundance of evidence to demonstrate your role in the accident or disprove accusations of negligence.

Yes, you can aid in this process by taking photos of the accident scene or gathering names and contact information from witnesses. That being said, it’s ultimately up to your attorney to secure the full breadth of documentation required to prove your case.

This should include, at minimum, police reports and medical records. Furthermore, expert witnesses may shed light on possible contributing factors.

Niche Skills and Understanding

Rollover accidents represent a distinct category within an already targeted practice area. Ideally, your attorney will understand the many elements that set these cases apart, as well as options for overcoming common challenges.

Past successes with rollover cases should pave the way to additional positive outcomes, as attorneys can draw on important takeaways to better serve your unique needs as a client.

Why Choose Stephenson Rife LLP for Rollover Accident Cases?

As a highly trusted law firm with a stellar reputation throughout the state of Indiana, Stephenson Rife LLP provides elite representation for rollover accident victims. Qualities that set us apart include:

Detail-Oriented

Attention to detail is vital in rollover accident cases. This is a point of pride for the team at Stephenson Rife LLP. During the discovery phase, we will scour all available sources of evidence. This could include anything from police reports to medical records. No detail will go unnoticed, as we understand that seemingly small concerns can have an outsized impact on your Indiana rollover accident case.

Compassionate

Our empathetic team at Stephenson Rife LLP is well aware of the trauma you’ve endured as the victim of a rollover accident. To that end, we provide compassionate service through every step of the legal process. Our empathy is evident from the very beginning, as we show both caring and respect during your initial consultation. We will continue to lend a sympathetic ear throughout the remainder of your case.

Assertive

Strong legal advocacy can make a world of difference in contentious rollover accident cases. As such, an assertive approach is central to our strategy at Stephenson Rife LLP. Whether we’re negotiating with insurance companies or advocating for your best interests in court, we will fight to get you the damages you deserve.

A Track Record of Success

When you work with Stephenson Rife LLP, you enjoy the confidence of knowing that your legal team has succeeded in the past — and that your lawyers are motivated to continue achieving exceptional case outcomes. 

We’ve obtained several multimillion-dollar settlements on behalf of our clients. Take a close look at our past case results, and you’ll see that we have the experience it takes to bring the most complicated cases to a favorable close.

Great Testimonials

We feel confident in our ability to deliver the positive case outcome you deserve, but our opinion alone might not hold that much sway. Take a quick look at our testimonials, however, and you’ll see that previous clients were pleased with our approach.

On our client testimonials page, you’ll notice adjectives such as kind, personable, and respectful. Our clients also appreciate that we respond to all queries in a timely manner.

What Happens During an Indiana Rollover Accident Case?

There is no one typical trajectory for rollover accident cases. A lot depends on the scope of insurance coverage and the role of negligence. Despite these variations, working with an Indiana rollover accident lawyer usually means navigating these key processes:

Early Consultations

A successful attorney-client relationship begins with a productive consultation. This is your chance to share your side of the story. Your Indiana rollover accident attorney will listen respectfully to your explanation, asking questions along the way to get a better sense of the incident and its aftermath.

Ideally, these early consultations will allow you to build a foundation of trust with your Indiana car accident lawyer. You’ll emerge feeling better prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead — and confident that your attorney will have your back every step of the way.

We take initial consultations seriously at Stephenson Rife LLP. Call 317-680-2350 today to schedule your free case evaluation.

Documentation and Investigation

Once you and your lawyer are on the same page, it’s time to proceed with an extensive overview of relevant documents, plus an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

In some situations, this may include information that you’ve helped to acquire, such as photos from the accident scene. Beyond this, however, your attorney will examine police reports, medical records, and several other sources of evidence.

Insurance Negotiations

As one of the most dreaded aspects of any car accident case, insurance negotiations are a key area of worry among all types of clients. This apprehension is to be expected; many insurance providers use underhanded tactics to keep payouts to a minimum.

Accusations of negligence are common; this is where the previous investigation — and an aggressive approach — will come in handy. Insurance representatives have also been known to trick rollover victims into admitting guilt. This is worrisome, given Indiana’s status as an at-fault state. Still, an experienced car accident attorney can help you overcome these key concerns.

Our lawyers know what it takes to combat problematic insurance company strategies. We’ll spare you the stress of dealing with insurance representatives, so you can instead focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back into the swing of everyday life.

Personal Injury Settlements

While many Indiana rollover cases are strictly handled through insurance, exceptions certainly exist. This is especially common when severe negligence (or recklessness) is at play.

For example: the driver of the vehicle that rolled over may have swerved in an effort to avoid a drunk or aggressive driver or an otherwise out-of-control vehicle. In other cases, defects with the vehicle may make it more likely to roll over or may make victims more vulnerable to severe injuries.

If you suspect that negligence played a part in your rollover accident, you’ll want to touch base with a trusted attorney before you proceed. These cases can be incredibly complicated, but your lawyer can clue you in on your prospects. Following a thorough investigation, you may proceed with a personal injury case if you and your attorney agree that you pose a strong likelihood of securing compensation.

The statute of limitations must be considered, as it’s just two years for personal injury cases in Indiana. This applies to both bodily injuries and property damage. It’s very difficult to get this deadline extended, so it’s crucial to start working with an Indiana car accident attorney as soon as possible.

Settlements are common when personal injury damages are pursued, but they are by no means guaranteed. Sometimes, jury trials may prove necessary — hence, the importance of working with a trial-ready attorney.

Taking Cases to Trial

If courtroom representation proves necessary, our team at Stephenson Rife LLP will have your back. As strong advocates, we will fight for the full compensation to which you’re entitled. We’ve achieved many positive courtroom outcomes in the past, so we’re confident that we can represent your best interests if your case goes to trial.

Stephenson Rife LLP: Indiana Rollover Accident Lawyers You Can Trust

Were you involved in a rollover accident in or near Shelbyville, Indiana? The sooner you begin working with the trusted legal team from Stephenson Rife LLP, the better. Rollover accident representation is a clear area of strength for us; we have an excellent track record as a Shelbyville and Indianapolis truck accident law firm.

We will help you to secure damages that reflect the horrific physical, emotional, and financial impact of your accident. Call 317-680-2350 or contact us today for a free consultation.

Attorney Mike Stephenson

Attorney Mike Stephenson has 40 years of experience and is a trusted advisor to many individuals and companies. His current practice is dominated by civil litigation in state and federal courts. He focuses much of his time on handling catastrophic injuries caused by all types of accidents, including motor vehicle, trucking, workplace injuries, product liability, just to name a few. Mike is a proven advocate and trial attorney. He has served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials, and has handled litigation in 18 states. [ Attorney Bio ]