Today’s auto manufacturers may argue that rollover accidents are relatively rare, but all it takes is a single incident to underscore just how very real and tragic these accidents can be. Late last month, 39-year-old Marietta resident Shawn Bailey lost his life when the SUV he was driving on Ga. Route 316 rolled over after he swerved to avoid colliding with another vehicle.
Police reports say the sharp turn caused Bailey to lose control of the vehicle, which slammed into an embankment before flipping over several times. Bailey was ejected from the vehicle and was unconscious and unresponsive when medical teams arrived. Two passengers, a 37-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy were also injured and taken to Gwinnett Medical Center for treatment. Bailey was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. Neither alcohol nor excessive speed played a role in the accident, police said.
Causes and Outcomes of Rollover Accidents
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SUVs, vans and even pickup trucks are especially prone to rollover accidents like the one that claimed Shawn Bailey’s life. Why? Because these vehicles sit higher above the road, the center of gravity is displaced, making the vehicles more likely to veer out of control or tip over. Auto manufacturers have responded with stronger frames and engineering aimed at improving stability, but despite these changes, rollovers still claim thousands of lives each year. In fact, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 8,000 people died as a result of rollover accidents in 2010. That figure doesn’t even begin to address the thousands of non-fatal injuries – minor and severe – these accidents can cause.
Rollover accidents tend to be more deadly than other types of accidents; the 2010 NHTSA report found that even though rollovers accounted for just over two percent of all crashes that year, they caused 35 percent of accident-related fatalities. Most rollover fatalities occurred because the vehicle occupants were not wearing seat belt restraints, but in more than 30 percent of rollover-associated fatalities, restraints were being worn at the time of impact.
Experienced Acworth Car Accident Attorney
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Regardless of whether or not a restraint was being worn, the fact remains that rollover accidents are extremely serious and the design of some vehicles make them far more prone to these types of accidents. The jolt and motion of a rollover can result in nerve and soft-tissue damage in addition to fractures, and the costs of medical care and physical therapy can be substantial.
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Claiming damages for medical fees and other accident-related costs like lost wages is rarely an easy task; in many cases, it can be a protracted battle to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Often, you need to wage your battle while you’re still recovering, which can result in additional stress; the urgency to “have it over with” often results in agreements that wind up leaving you responsible for substantial costs and fees.
The best way to ensure you truly get the compensation you need and deserve is to begin working with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Roger Ghai is a car accident lawyer in Acworth and he focuses on each client’s individual needs to build the strongest case possible so clients can feel confident their rights are being protected. If you’ve been in an accident, call the Law Offices of Roger Ghai at 770-792-1000 and schedule your consultation today.
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