Rancho Murieta Rollover Crash
A vehicle was found overturned in a Rancho Murieta rollover crash on November 23 off Ione Road just north of Meiss Road in what appeared to be a single vehicle accident. The vehicle was found about 30 yards off the roadway, and a passersby pulled over to the side to try and help the occupants in the vehicle. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Sac Fire was summoned to the accident site. No official report has been issued on the extent of injuries suffered by the occupants in the collision. However, an ambulance was called to the crash scene. The CHP will be investigating the accident to determine the cause.
Single Vehicle Rollover Accidents
The vast majority of rollover accidents involve only one vehicle. Overall, approximately 10,000 people die each year in rollovers even though such accidents account for only 2 percent of all crashes. This points to their high fatality rate, making them second to head on collisions in this regard. They are most common in SUVs, light trucks and vans due to their high center of gravity. Approximately 75 percent of fatalities involve an occupant being thrown from the vehicle. Properly using seat belts can help eliminate this catastrophe.
How a Rancho Murieta Rollover Crash Happens
Vehicle stability plays a significant factor in the causation of a rollover. Generally, a predisposed vehicle’s center of gravity is proportionally too large in comparison to the track width. This makes the vehicle less stable during a turn or when the driver changes direction rapidly. Some rollovers occur due to speed and loss of control. This is true for untripped rollovers. Tripped rollovers, however, occur when the vehicle’s tires hit soft dirt or gravel as it moves off the highway in a sliding or skidding manner. By disrupting the vehicle’s forward momentum, the object could initiate a Rancho Murieta rollover crash. Tripping mechanisms are responsible for 95 percent of all rollovers.
Roadway Conditions and Defects Play a Significant Role
Apart from speed, the condition of the roadway can play a significant role in rollovers. Roads that are uneven due to heaving or potholes, as well as debris found on the highway, can cause accidents. Other causes are linked to poor vehicular design and tire defects.
Roof Crush Accidents
Roof crush resistance is an important factor in rollovers. It stands to reason that rollover injuries are more likely if the roof crush resistance is not sufficient. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216 required automakers to ensure that a vehicle has a roof that will be able to support 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle. Also, the vehicles must be able to provide headroom when a rollover occurs. Unfortunately, not all vehicles meet this requirement, and roof crush accidents cause serious injuries such as:
- Traumatic head injuries
- Injuries to the cervical spine (neck)
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Lawsuits in a Rancho Murieta Rollover Crash
Rollovers are complex, making the crash investigation a necessity. For instance, defective tires could lead to a product liability case against the manufacturer. Worn tires, on the other hand, might be the failure of the vehicle’s owner to keep the vehicle and its parts in working order. An occupant of the vehicle who is injured by the rollover crash may file a claim against the driver/owner for using worn tires.
If the accident was due to improperly maintained roads, the injured party may file a lawsuit against the government agency charged with its upkeep. In this case, the time limit to file a lawsuit is different than other personal injury lawsuits. The injured party has six months to file the initial claim. The government agency has 45 days to answer. If the claim is denied, the plaintiff (the injured party) has six months to file a lawsuit. If there was no response to the claim, then the plaintiff has two years from the time of the accident.
What a Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
A car accident lawyer can help those injured in a Rancho Murieta rollover crash. The design of the vehicle is of paramount importance. Since SUVs, light trucks and vans have a greater propensity to roll over, it is important to take a hard look at the design of the vehicle. Roof strength is also an important parameter in preventing catastrophic injury in a rollover. Manufacturers are expected to meet federal standards and testing goals. A vehicle that does not have sufficient roof resistance breaches the duty of care they have toward customers.
Since manufacturers have an obligation to produce safe vehicles, a design that is likely to roll over or end up with a crushed roof can be dealt with in a product liability lawsuit in California. An experienced attorney can use vehicle safety, accident reconstruction and engineering experts to examine the vehicle for such manufacturing defects. By having the capability to do this, the law firm presents a strong case for liability and reason to award fair compensation to the plaintiff.
Rancho Murieta Auto Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Rancho Murieta personal injury lawyer. If you are injured in a rollover accident or a family member has died in one due to negligence, you need the help a seasoned attorney can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online on our contact us page.
I’ve helped numerous residents of Rancho Murieta and the greater Northern California area since 1982 obtain the compensation they deserve in all types of car accidents, rollover crashes and deaths due to crushing injuries.
I am a long-standing member of the Million Dollar Advocates, which is a forum that allows only those trial attorneys who have won more than $1 million for a client.
When retaining an attorney, you first need to learn about their practice. You can read former client and peer reviews as well as the ways I resolved former cases on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_79745536_l-2015
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