Rollover Accident West of Goleta
I’m Ed Smith, a Goleta car accident lawyer. Though it is not every day that you hear about rollover accidents, these collisions do happen and tend to involve more than one victim. Sadly, when rollovers happen most individuals involved tend to suffer moderate to serious injuries or even death. Generally, the immediate cause of most rollover accidents is a loss of control of a vehicle that has a high center of gravity. However, if the cause of the accident is unclear, typically a further investigation as to the cause will follow. This was the case, February 13, 2017, on Highway 101 near Dos Pueblos Canyon just west of Goleta, when a motorist was severely injured in a rollover accident.
What Happened?
Reports state, that around 6 p.m., an unidentified motorist was traveling southbound on Highway 101 when the motorist appeared to lose control of the vehicle, which subsequently caused the vehicle to overturn. During the rollover accident, the unidentified motorist was thrown from the vehicle. The victim sustained serious injuries for which treatment was provided at a nearby hospital. The apparent cause of this particular rollover accident has yet to be determined, but officials are currently investigating.
Rollover Accidents
As briefly mentioned, rollover accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. However, there is a higher likelihood of a possible rollover accident with such vehicles as SUVs and multi-passenger vehicles with a high center of gravity such as buses or vans. Often, in the event of such an accident, both driver and passenger(s) suffer injury due to the almost certainty of the vehicle’s roof being crushed upon impact. Furthermore, as was the case above, motorists are often ejected from their vehicles sustaining further injury. Commonly, these accidents will result in head or brain trauma, spinal or neck trauma, decapitation or fatal injury, and other devastating injuries such as loss of limbs or broken bones.
Liability and Fault
With these particular car accidents, it can be difficult to assess who is liable or at fault if the accident did not occur due to the driver’s own negligence. One reason it can be difficult to assess liability is if more than one party is at fault. In California, if more than one party is at fault, the issue of comparative liability is raised. In short, comparative liability can have a significant impact on the amount you are able to recover for yourself or your loved one’s injuries. Alternatively, if neither the driver nor multiple parties are at fault, then road conditions may have played a significant role in the accident. In this instance, you may be dealing with the possible liability of a government entity i.e. the agency in charge of maintaining the road. When hazards such as a defect in the roadway is the cause, you more than likely have grounds for suit. You may also have grounds for products liability suit if a vehicle defect caused or contributed to your accident. Lastly, if you were a passenger in a rollover accident and the driver was negligent, the driver may be held liable for your injuries or your loved one’s wrongful death.
Understanding Your Claim
Ultimately, you need to speak with an experienced Goleta car accident lawyer who can help determine where liability or fault lies so you can learn how best to proceed.
Goleta Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Goleta car accident lawyer. When serious injuries or death occurs after a car accident, please give me a call at (805) 372-0200 for free, friendly advice. I can be reached toll-free at (800) 404-5400 when calling outside of Goleta.
Since opening my practice in 1982, I have worked tirelessly helping my clients receive maximum compensation for their injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions.
I belong to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The forum is comprised of top ranked trial lawyers in the United States. Lawyers in the forum have obtained million dollar case verdicts for their clients.
Please view my past verdicts and settlements here.
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Image Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
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