Auto Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents represent some of the most dangerous collisions on Houston’s roadways. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rollover car accident, you need quality legal representation to protect your rights.

The car accident lawyers at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs bring over 100 years of collective experience to these cases and fight to secure the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a car accident attorney.

What Is a Rollover Accident?

A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof during a collision or loss of control. This can occur in multi-car collisions or single-vehicle rollover crashes. Unlike other collision types, rollovers subject occupants to multiple impacts and directional forces as the vehicle rotates. The roof and side structures of the vehicle may collapse during the roll, posing a significant danger to everyone inside.

Houston’s Rollover Accident Statistics

Texas does not maintain a dedicated database solely for tracking rollover car accidents in Houston. However, the Texas Department of Transportation and local law enforcement agencies collect comprehensive data on all crashes involving serious injuries and fatalities, many of which involve rollover incidents. The following are just some of the provided data:

• Harris County reports over 60,000 total vehicle crashes annually.
• Reports find 18,218 people sustain serious injuries from collisions.
• One person is killed every 2 hours and 7 minutes.
• One person is injured every 2 minutes and 5 seconds.
• One reportable crash occurs every 57 seconds.

Weekend nights see elevated rates of rollover crashes, particularly on major highways like I-45, I-10, and the Sam Houston Tollway. These figures underscore the serious nature of rollover collisions in our community.

Common Causes of Rollover Accidents in Houston

What causes a car to rollover? Several factors can contribute to these devastating accidents on Houston’s roads and highways, such as the following:

• Excessive speed
• Sharp steering inputs or overcorrection
• Tire blowouts or tread separation
• Collisions with other vehicles
• Top-heavy vehicle designs with high centers of gravity
• Improperly loaded cargo that shifts the weight distribution
• Defective vehicle components
• Hazardous road conditions, such as potholes or uneven surfaces
• Distracted or impaired driving

How does a car flip over in an accident? The physics involves a combination of lateral force and a pivot point. When a vehicle’s tires encounter resistance while the body continues to move sideways (such as sliding into a curb, median, or soft shoulder), the momentum can cause one side of the vehicle to lift. These are more common when the vehicle’s center of gravity is too high.
The Texas Transportation Code § 545.363 mandates drivers operate vehicles at speeds appropriate for conditions, and violations contributing to rollovers may establish liability.

Typical Injuries from Rollover Accidents

Rollover crashes exert tremendous forces on vehicle occupants, frequently resulting in multiple, simultaneous injuries. As the vehicle flips or spins, occupants can be violently thrown against the interior or, in severe cases, ejected from the car.

Even when seatbelts are correctly used, roof or side collapse can cause severe injuries and catastrophic trauma, such as the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions from head impacts
• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis or loss of function
• Neck injuries, including whiplash and cervical fractures
• Broken bones and crushed limbs from a roof collapse
• Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma
• Lacerations and abrasions from broken glass and metal
• Chest injuries, including broken ribs and lung damage
• Facial injuries and dental trauma
• Psychological trauma, including PTSD and anxiety disorders

Houston areas, including the Southwest Freeway near the Galleria, the North Loop near the Heights, and the East Freeway in Channelview, have all witnessed serious rollover crashes. Under Texas law, injury victims have two years from the date of the accident to file auto rollover accident claims, making prompt legal action necessary.

Steps to Take After a Rollover Accident

The moments and days following a rollover car accident significantly impact both your health and your legal claim. Taking appropriate action protects your well-being and preserves evidence for your case, which includes the following:

• Seeking immediate medical attention
• Documenting the accident scene (when feasible)
• Obtaining a police report
• Gathering witness information
• Preserving evidence from your vehicle
• Keeping detailed medical records
• Avoiding discussing fault
• Refraining from posting on social media about the accident
• Avoiding making recorded statements with insurers

Your actions during this period lay the foundation for a successful claim.

We at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs understand that handling legal matters while recovering from an injury can feel overwhelming. That is why our lawyers take on the burden of investigating your case and dealing with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on recovering from your rollover accident injuries.

Legal Rights and Compensation

When another party’s negligence causes your rollover car accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. Our attorneys investigate all responsible parties (such as other drivers, vehicle manufacturers, maintenance providers, or government entities) to maximize compensation.

Depending on your situation, you may recover damages for the following:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement and permanent disability
• Loss of consortium for family members
• Wrongful death for the surviving family members involved in fatal rollover crashes
• Property damage to your vehicle and belongings

Insurers frequently attempt to minimize payouts by disputing causation or downplaying the severity of injuries. With extensive experience handling rollover cases throughout Houston, we know how to anticipate these tactics and counter them effectively.

Our lawyers work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economic analysts to build compelling cases that demonstrate the full extent of your damages. We are skilled at negotiating aggressively with insurance adjusters and taking cases to trial when fair settlements cannot be reached through negotiation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I prove another driver was at fault?
   Establishing fault in a rollover accident requires compelling evidence showing that the other driver’s negligence caused the crash. Evidence may include police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and cell phone records. Accident reconstruction experts often examine physical evidence—such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and crash dynamics—to understand how the collision unfolded. Your own account of the events can also play a key role in proving the other party’s liability. In single vehicle crashes, an investigation may reveal that the auto manufacturer was negligent in either the design or manufacture of the vehicle
2. What if the other driver is uninsured?
   If an uninsured driver causes your rollover, you may still recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage if you purchased this protection. We also investigate whether other parties share liability. Multiple avenues for recovery often exist even when the at-fault driver lacks insurance.
3. Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
   No. Insurance companies frequently extend quick, low-ball settlement offers before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and damages. These initial offers almost always undervalue claims significantly, particularly for serious injuries requiring long-term care. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you typically cannot pursue additional compensation even if complications arise later.

Contact a Houston Rollover Accident Lawyer

Don’t risk accepting inadequate compensation from insurance companies seeking to protect their profits. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we have successfully represented numerous victims of auto rollover accidents throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area. Our attorneys are skilled in investigating these complex crashes, identifying all liable parties, and fighting for maximum recovery.

Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential consultation. You pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your case, so there’s no risk to get started.