Two Hospitalized in Rollover Crash on East Side
In the early morning hours of July 25, two men were hospitalized with serious injuries after the driver of their vehicle lost control on East Houston Street, near North Hackberry Street. The driver and the passenger both sustained significant injury after the vehicle rolled, with the driver walking a block or so before collapsing. Both men were taken to Brooke Army Medical Center, with the driver in critical condition and the passenger stable. This is sadly not uncommon with regard to rollover crashes, and if you are injured in one, you may wind up building up significant medical expenses as you recover.
Deadlier Than Most
Rollover accidents involve quite a lot of metal, glass, and plastic moving around at extremely high rates of speed, which leads to their being significantly overrepresented in lists of traffic fatalities. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that while only 2.1 percent of automobile accidents are rollovers, nearly 35 percent of all passenger vehicle fatalities occurred in rollover crashes. This is only made worse by other common causes seen in rollovers, such as alcohol (or other substance) usage and excessive speed.
Many rollovers are single-vehicle accidents, like the one on East Houston Street was, which can make it seemingly difficult to bring suit against a defendant as being possibly liable for your injuries. However, ‘single-vehicle’ accidents are those in which only one vehicle crashes or sustains damage; this does not mean that no other vehicle was involved. Perhaps another vehicle swerved too close to yours, requiring evasive action; perhaps a tire or another part on your vehicle suddenly failed – there are ways to establish liability for a second party even in a ‘single-vehicle’ accident case.
If You Are Injured
Any number of injuries can result from a rollover accident; whiplash, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and similar can all cause long-term effects that can require serious life adjustments. If you have suffered tangible harm – that is, something more than just cuts and bruises or a mild fright – and you believe that it was because of another person’s negligence, you can bring suit against that person to try and recover for your medical bills and lost wages. It can be difficult to prevail in a rollover case, but it is certainly not impossible, especially not with the right attorney on your side.
Be advised that while sometimes people may choose not to bring suit because they believe themselves to be wholly or partially liable, being partly at fault for your own injuries is not a bar to recovery. Texas law follows the doctrine of comparative negligence, which states that if the plaintiff’s percentage of fault is lower than 50 percent, they may still recover, minus their percentage of fault. So, for example, if the plaintiff is ruled to be 20 percent at fault, any recovery granted would be less 20 percent.
Can a New Braunfels Rollover Accident Lawyer Help You?
If you have been injured in a rollover accident, you likely have significant medical bills that may be more than you can handle. If someone else has caused your injuries, you have the right to seek compensation from them. The dedicated New Braunfels rollover accident lawyers at the Bettersworth Law Firm have years of experience in handling these types of cases and are ready to share that experience with you. Call our offices at 888-392-0039 today for a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.ksat.com/traffic/2-hospitalized-in-rollover-crash-on-east-side
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.33.htm
https://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle-Shoppers/Rollover/Fatalities
