SUV Rollover Accidents
Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyers Helping Residents of Chicago and Surrounding Areas
Sports Utility Vehicles, or SUVs, are large passenger vehicles that are popular among outdoor enthusiasts as well as people looking for a reliable and family-friendly vehicle. The reality is that SUVs are more likely than many passenger vehicles to roll over in an accident, leading to devastating and often fatal crashes. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in an SUV rollover accident, the Chicago car accident attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and suffering. Throughout Illinois, our dedicated lawyers advocate for the rights of accident victims, investigating and pursuing all potential means of recovery.
Asserting Your Right to Full Compensation After an SUV Rollover Accident
SUV rollover accidents may occur while drivers are distracted, as well as when they are performing a routine turn. In other words, these crashes take place in a variety of situations and often are caused by driver error. The devastation that results from a rollover is due to the fact that occupants of the SUV may be struck from different sides of the rolling vehicle and in some cases ejected from the car.
Vehicle accident reconstruction experts may help evaluate the elements of an SUV rollover crash. In some cases, there are multiple causes of the rollover, including a high center of gravity that led to instability while turning. A driver who makes a fast turn may cause the vehicle to roll. If you were a passenger in an SUV accident, you may be able to make a claim against the driver for their aggressive or negligent operation of the vehicle.
In some situations, SUV drivers may have been reacting to another driver’s negligence when turning, since rollover accidents may take place when drivers overcorrect their vehicle. Perhaps you were an SUV driver, and while trying to avoid a collision, your defensive measures led to the vehicle rolling and ultimately caused serious injuries. You may have a legal claim against the other driver if they breached their duty of care, and this directly caused the collision.
Plaintiff victims who are pursuing a legal claim for damages following a rollover accident may seek compensation from multiple defendants. Manufacturers may be at fault if a design defect led to a crash. For example, vehicle roofs should be strong enough to prevent collapse in the event of a rollover, and door latches should be strong enough to remain closed during a rollover, preventing passengers from being ejected. Pursuing a claim against the vehicle manufacturer may provide a means of recovery, if the evidence indicates that a design defect contributed to the collision.
Proving the extent of harm following an SUV collision is critical, since the injuries that may result from this type of crash often require extensive medical care and treatment. In a legal claim following an SUV rollover accident, if the victim proves the legal fault of another party, they likely will be entitled to an award for their suffering. Emotional trauma resulting from the accident, while hard to quantify, may be recovered in a lawsuit, as may costs for hospital bills and other expenses related to the accident.
If an SUV rollover accident led to the death of a loved one, their family may pursue a wrongful death claim. They would need to show that their loved one died due to the negligence of another party, and they, as surviving family members, suffered harm as a result. The types of damages that they may recover include the loss of the support of their loved one as well as the cost of medical bills while the deceased person was alive.
Retain a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer in Chicago
At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we understand the serious nature of SUV rollover crashes. Our motor vehicle collision lawyers provide personal attention and compassionate representation to victims. People throughout Illinois, including in Springfield, Aurora, Rockford, Champaign, Quincy, and other communities throughout Kane, Cook, Sangamon, Adams, and Winnebago Counties, have been helped by our experienced Chicago attorneys. Call our office at 312-724-5846 or complete our online form to set up a free consultation.