SAPD Officer Injured in Rollover Crash
Recently, a San Antonio police officer was injured in a rollover crash that took place on I-10 West near Callaghan Road, having struck the guard barrels dividing lanes on the interstate. Officer Noel Ortiz managed to escape the crash with only minor scratches and bruises, but most of the time, if you are involved in a rollover accident, you may not be so lucky, as they can be very deadly. Contacting a dedicated auto accident lawyer can help you sort out what to do to seek compensation.
High Percentage of Fatalities
While any automobile accident can be potentially dangerous, rollover accidents routinely cause a higher percentage of fatalities because of the sheer amount of weight, glass and metal involved – if someone is involved in, say, a head-on collision, they will not have to contend with the inversion of their vehicle or the subsequent total loss of control. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that roughly two percent of all car crashes are rollovers, but nearly 35 percent of all traffic fatalities in passenger vehicle crashes occur in rollovers.
There are numerous causes for this, including the usual factors that can contribute to any accident – speeding and substance abuse chief among them. In addition, the vehicle type can be a factor (for example, vans or sport utility vehicles are notorious for tipping over due to their higher center of gravity), as well as location – more rollover accidents in Texas occur in rural areas, both due to higher speed limits in may locales and due to more routine driving opportunities (rollovers are almost more common in routine driving, given that drivers can get distracted or ‘zone out’ more easily).
Why Do They Happen?
Rollover crashes can lead to countless types of injuries of varying severity, including traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, broken bones, internal organ damage, burns, and other types of crushing or puncture injuries – Officer Ortiz was very lucky to walk away from his crash. There are several possible reasons why rollover accidents happen, but the most commonly seen legal theories that are used to file suit are product liability and negligence. While a strong majority of rollover accidents are single-vehicle crashes, in some cases, you can show that another driver might have been liable for your injuries.
If you do not believe another driver played a role in your injuries, you may believe that some fault in your automobile was to blame. Product liability in Texas is a ‘strict liability’ issue, meaning that a plaintiff merely has to prove that they were injured because of the product (in this case, the car or one of its parts), not that there was any recklessness or negligence. However, drawing that link between the existence of the defective product and your injuries can sometimes be difficult. These cases are not easy to win, but they are also not impossible.
Call a New Braunfels Rollover Crash Lawyer Today
While Officer Ortiz may have walked away, the odds are not in your favor for doing the same if you are ever involved in a rollover accident. If you have been injured or you have lost a loved one in this type of accident, know that you do have options to try and seek compensation. The dedicated New Braunfels rollover accident attorneys at the Bettersworth Law Firm are well versed in this type of law and will work hard to get you what you are due. Contact our office today at 888-392-0039 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.ksat.com/traffic/rollover-crash-sends-sapd-officer-to-hospital-police-say
https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/passenger-vehicle-occupants#rollover
https://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle-Shoppers/Rollover/Fatalities
