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Due to their high center of gravity, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are more likely to roll over than their smaller counterparts. Vehicle rollovers can quickly turn what would have been a mild accident into a serious one. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an SUV rollover accident that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a seasoned Michigan injury attorney who can meticulously review the facts of your case.
An SUV is a vehicle classified as a light truck that can be used on rough surfaces but is often used on city roads and highways as a family vehicle. An SUV rollover accident takes place when the SUV tips over onto its side or roof after impact. The top-heaviness of an SUV increases its chances to roll over in an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 11,000 fatal rollover accidents take place each year in the United States. In fact, rollover accidents make up more than half of all single-vehicle auto accident deaths. Rollover accidents also increase your risk of serious injury by 36 percent. Data from the Michigan Traffic Crash Reporting System reveals that in 2015, there were a total of 664 crashes involving passenger cars, SUVs, and vans.
Driver negligence is the most common cause of automobile accidents, including SUV crashes. Negligence occurs when a person fails to use reasonable care behind the wheel, causing property damage, injury, or death to another person. Put another way, negligence is defined as a failure to do something that an ordinarily prudent person would do under the same or similar circumstances. In order to prevail in a negligence claim, the following elements must be established: i) the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care (a legal obligation to act in a certain way); ii) the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff; iii) the defendant’s breach was the proximate cause of the accident and the plaintiff’s resulting harm; and iv) the plaintiff sustained damages that can be quantified.
In some cases, an SUV rollover accident may be a result of defective design or dangerous road conditions. If you believe your SUV rolled over due to defective design or faulty construction, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, designer, or retailer of the vehicle. If you believe your SUV rollover accident was caused due to potholes, poor lighting, or other hazardous road conditions, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the local government or property owner responsible for the roads.
The unfortunate reality is that many SUV drivers are not fully aware of the dangers associated with SUV rollover accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in an SUV rollover accident, you should consult a skilled Michigan car accident attorney immediately. We can examine your case and help you explore all of your legal options. At Davis Law Center, we will try to negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party. If that doesn’t work, we are not afraid to zealously advocate for your rights in the courtroom. For more information, do not hesitate to call us at 248-865-7740 or contact us online.