An Atlanta rollover accident lawyer can provide the knowledgeable legal representation you need following a serious rollover crash, one of the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents. Although rollover crashes represent a small percentage of total accidents, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that they account for a disproportionately high number of traffic fatalities.
Determining the cause of a rollover accident and identifying the legally responsible party often requires a thorough and technically sophisticated investigation. An experienced attorney will have the knowledge and resources to collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists, evaluate vehicle dynamics and crash data, and develop a strong case supported by credible evidence.
If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries in a rollover crash, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A skilled Atlanta rollover accident lawyer can guide you through each stage of the legal process and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to for medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation, and other related costs.
Call Hasner Law PC today at 678-888-HURT (4878) for a free and confidential consultation.
Atlanta Rollover Accident Guide
- Why Choose Hasner Law for Your Atlanta Rollover Accident Claim
- Investigating the Cause of Your Rollover Accident in Atlanta
- Who May Be Held Liable in a Rollover Accident Case?
- The Catastrophic Impact of Rollover Accidents
- How Rollover Accidents Differ from Other Car Accidents
- Understanding Georgia Laws That Govern Rollover Accident Claims
- Contact an Atlanta Rollover Accident Lawyer You Can Trust
Why Choose Hasner Law for Your Atlanta Rollover Accident Claim
If you were involved in a rollover crash in Atlanta, you are likely facing significant legal and technical challenges. Insurance companies may try to limit their responsibility, especially if another driver was involved.
If a vehicle defect is suspected, you could be dealing with a large manufacturer represented by corporate defense counsel. An experienced Atlanta rollover accident lawyer at Hasner Law can begin building your case right away by conducting a detailed investigation and building a case supported by evidence and expert analysis.
Preserving the Vehicle for Inspection
One of the most important steps we take early in the case is protecting the vehicle from being lost or altered. We issue a formal spoliation letter to the salvage yard or insurance company, requiring that the vehicle be kept intact. This gives our experts the opportunity to examine the vehicle for evidence of tire failure, suspension issues, or instability in its electronic safety systems.
Partnering with Crash Reconstruction and Engineering Experts
We work closely with skilled professionals in accident reconstruction and automotive engineering. These experts examine evidence from the crash scene, including skid marks, road debris, and impact points.
Whether the crash occurred on I-75, the Downtown Connector, or a local road like Ponce de Leon Avenue, we use scene data to understand what happened. When appropriate, we consult with automotive engineers to evaluate whether the vehicle’s design or manufacturing contributed to its instability.
Handling All Communication with Insurance Companies
Our legal team manages every interaction with the insurance providers involved in the case. This includes responding to inquiries, reviewing coverage, and preventing unfair pressure for recorded statements.
We carefully review all available evidence, including police reports, scene photos, vehicle data, and witness statements. This information allows us to build a case that is grounded in facts and supported by expert analysis.
Trusted Legal Support from a Local Atlanta Rollover Accident Lawyer
Rollover crashes often involve serious injuries, disputed liability, and questions of vehicle safety. These cases demand a legal team skilled in both technical investigations and complex litigation. Whether your accident happened on I-285, in DeKalb County, or on a neighborhood road in Atlanta, our attorneys are ready to assist you.
Investigating the Cause of Your Rollover Accident in Atlanta
A vehicle typically does not roll over without a triggering event. These crashes are usually caused by a “tripping” mechanism, which is an external force that disrupts the vehicle’s stability. In many cases, that force results from the negligent behavior of another driver. Identifying the cause of the rollover is the first step toward determining legal responsibility.
When Another Driver’s Negligence Causes a Rollover
Rollover accidents often begin with an initial collision. A careless or reckless driver may create a situation where the impact causes the other vehicle to tip and roll.
- Side-Impact Collisions at Intersections: On busy roads such as Ponce de Leon Avenue, a driver who runs a red light and strikes another vehicle on the side can create a forceful pivot point. That lateral impact may cause the struck vehicle to overturn, especially if it has a high center of gravity.
- Aggressive Lane Changes on Highways: On interstates like I-285, sudden and unsafe lane changes can result in a vehicle being clipped at the rear. If that vehicle slides off the road and encounters soft ground or an uneven shoulder, the change in surface resistance may be enough to trigger a rollover.
- Evasive Maneuvers Caused by Reckless Driving: A driver who behaves recklessly can cause others to swerve abruptly in order to avoid a collision. If the evasive maneuver leads the vehicle onto a slope, ditch, or uneven terrain, it may roll over even without direct contact from the other car.
Driver negligence is one of the most common causes of rollover crashes and frequently leads to personal injury claims.
Rollovers Involving Vehicle Design or Mechanical Defects
Certain types of vehicles, such as older model SUVs and trucks, have a higher center of gravity, which can make them more susceptible to rollover crashes. While the type of vehicle alone may not establish liability, the existence of a design defect or mechanical failure can significantly influence the outcome of a claim.
An effective investigation should consider whether a defect contributed to the accident or worsened its severity. Common factors include tire blowouts due to manufacturing defects, failures in the suspension system, or malfunctioning electronic stability control systems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers detailed guidance on how electronic stability control helps prevent rollovers and why it is a critical component in rollover crash analysis. Identifying these factors requires a thorough and informed review, which is essential to building a strong and well-supported injury claim.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Rollover Accident Case?
Determining who is legally responsible for a rollover accident is often more complex than in a typical collision. These crashes may involve not just another driver, but also manufacturers, public entities, or commercial operators.
An experienced Atlanta rollover accident lawyer can help identify all potentially liable parties and hold them accountable. Possible liable parties in a rollover accident include:
- A Negligent Driver: If another driver caused the initial impact or forced you off the road, they may be held liable for triggering the rollover.
- The Vehicle Manufacturer: Rollover crashes are sometimes linked to design defects, such as a high center of gravity or weak roof structure. Manufacturers may be liable for producing unsafe vehicles.
- A Tire or Auto Parts Manufacturer: Tire blowouts, faulty suspension parts, or failed electronic stability control systems may indicate product liability. These claims often involve expert analysis and engineering evaluations.
- A Government Entity: Poorly maintained roads, missing guardrails, or inadequate signage can contribute to rollover risks. In these cases, a local or state agency may share responsibility.
- The Employer of a Commercial Driver: If the rollover involved a work vehicle or commercial truck, the driver’s employer may be liable under respondeat superior or for negligent hiring and training.
Identifying all possible defendants is key to maximizing available compensation and building a strong, well-supported claim.
The Catastrophic Impact of Rollover Accidents
Rollover crashes subject occupants to extreme, multi-directional forces. Passengers are often thrown against the roof, doors, and windows, leading to some of the most serious injuries seen in vehicle collisions.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Rollover impacts frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, contusions, and diffuse axonal injuries. These injuries may lead to lasting cognitive impairment, memory problems, personality changes, and a reduced ability to live independently.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Fractured or displaced vertebrae can compress or sever the spinal cord, causing partial or complete paralysis such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. These life-altering injuries often require extensive medical care and long-term support.
Ejection and Crush Injuries
When the roof collapses or a window shatters, occupants can be partially or fully ejected from the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that ejection is one of the most dangerous outcomes in a crash. Those who remain inside may suffer severe crush injuries, sometimes resulting in amputation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides data on the high costs and devastating outcomes associated with crash injuries, which are often magnified in rollover events.
How Rollover Accidents Differ from Other Car Accidents
Rollover crashes are among the most dangerous and complex types of vehicle accidents. Unlike typical rear-end or side-impact collisions, rollovers introduce additional layers of physical trauma, legal complexity, and investigative challenges.
Here are several key differences that make rollover accident claims more challenging and complex:
- Greater Likelihood of Catastrophic Injuries: The rolling motion exposes occupants to extreme forces and multiple points of impact, increasing the risk of traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and ejection from the vehicle.
- More Complex Accident Reconstruction: These crashes often require expert analysis to determine the precise sequence of events, vehicle dynamics, and contributing mechanical or environmental factors.
- Higher Potential for Product Liability Claims: Rollover accidents may involve defective tires, roof failures, or malfunctioning safety systems. Proving these claims requires deep technical evidence and often pits you against major manufacturers.
- Stronger Insurance Defense Tactics: Given the financial exposure, insurers often defend rollover claims aggressively by challenging fault and minimizing injuries. They may argue that the victim was speeding, distracted, or failed to control the vehicle.
For these reasons, rollover cases demand a legal team with experience, resources, and the ability to fight back against well-funded defendants.
Understanding Georgia Laws That Govern Rollover Accident Claims
Your ability to recover compensation after a rollover is governed by a specific set of Georgia laws. Insurance companies and corporate defense lawyers are highly familiar with these laws and often use them to their advantage. An experienced Atlanta rollover accident lawyer can help you navigate these critical legal issues.
Georgia’s Two-Year Statute of Limitations: The Deadline to File Your Claim
The law sets a strict time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.
If you fail to bring a claim within this two-year window, you will likely lose the right to pursue compensation in court. Because rollover cases often involve detailed investigations, it is important to speak with an attorney as early as possible.
However, certain exceptions may extend this deadline in specific circumstances. These include:
- The discovery rule, which may apply if the injury or its cause was not immediately apparent
- Tolling provisions, which pause the deadline due to issues such as the defendant’s absence from the state or fraudulent concealment
- Minor victims, where the two-year clock may not begin until the individual reaches the age of majority
Because these exceptions are narrow and fact-dependent, it is critical to consult with a qualified attorney to determine how Georgia law applies to your specific case.
Georgia’s Comparative Fault Law: What Happens If You Are Partially Blamed?
In many rollover cases, the defense will try to argue that you, the driver of the rolled vehicle, were somehow at fault, perhaps by speeding or overcorrecting. Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule, as detailed in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33.
This law states that you may still recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 50% at fault for the accident. Your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. A key part of your lawyer’s job is to use expert testimony and physical evidence to fight these blame-shifting tactics.
Contact an Atlanta Rollover Accident Lawyer You Can Trust
The physical recovery of a rollover crash may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, while the emotional toll and financial burden can be just as difficult to manage. These cases also involve complex legal and technical issues that are best handled by experienced legal counsel.
At Hasner Law, we are committed to representing individuals and families whose lives have been affected by serious rollover accidents. We draw on decades of legal experience, hands-on knowledge, and input from trusted experts to uncover the cause of your rollover crash and build a strong case on your behalf. We work diligently to hold the responsible parties accountable and to secure the resources our clients need to focus on their health, stability, and long-term well-being.
Let our team stand beside you during this challenging time. To speak with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer, contact Hasner Law at 678-888-HURT (4878) for a free and confidential consultation.
Hasner Law: Atlanta Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
Ph: (678) 888-4878
