Tennessee Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle involved in a wreck flips or overturns. Despite efforts to reduce this type of accident, rollover accidents remain common and are among the most dangerous type of vehicle accidents. More than 8,000 rollover accidents occurred in Tennessee in 2008, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Tennessee rollover accident, you likely face difficult questions about medical bills, loss of income and other expenses such as vehicle repair. If another driver or a defective car part caused your injuries, you may be eligible for financial compensation to cover those expenses. That is why it is important to have the dedicated representation of Terry, Terry & Stapleton. Our legal team can identify the parties responsible for your injuries and help you hold them accountable.
For almost five decades, we have helped accident victims in East Tennessee, including Hamblen, Hawkins, Greene, Sevier, Knox, Washington, Sullivan and Cocke counties. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident, don’t delay. Call Terry, Terry & Stapleton today at 1-800-518-3779 or use our online contact form to arrange a free consultation.
In 2008, rollover accidents occurred in every Tennessee county, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. The 2008 rollover accidents in East Tennessee include:
- Knox County: 371;
- Sullivan County: 176;
- Sevier County: 165;
- Green County: 160;
- Washington County: 138;
- Hawkins County: 105;
- Hamblen County: 76;
- Cocke County: 68.
Rollover accidents are the state’s fourth highest type of fatal vehicle accident -- 330 people lost their lives in rollover accidents in Tennessee in 2008, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
Any vehicle can rollover in an accident, but rollovers occur more frequently in vehicles with higher centers of gravity, such as sport utility vehicles, also known as SUVs. The high center of gravity, combined with a narrow wheelbase, makes SUVs prone to tipping over during evasive maneuvers, such as a sudden lane change.
Many rollover accidents, and especially those involving only a single vehicle, are often the result of a faulty or damaged product installed in the vehicle. Examples of this include tire failures and defects or a poorly designed suspension system. The resulting fatalities and injuries may stem from these factors:
- Weak roof supports that allow the top to crush or pin SUV occupants;
- Faulty or ill-fitting seatbelts or restraints;
- Poorly designed passenger seats or headrests;
- Airbags that cause severe injuries when they deploy.
When we investigate your accident, the rollover accident attorneys at Terry, Terry & Stapleton will evaluate every aspect of the crash, including the possibility that a product defect was responsible for the crash.
To ensure that your rights are protected, you should follow certain important steps after an accident. These steps are outlined in our Accident Checklist.
The Tennessee rollover accident lawyers at Terry, Terry & Stapleton will help you pursue compensation for your injuries and other damages associated with your accident. Possible areas of compensation include:
- Medical bills;
- Lost income;
- Loss of pension;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of household services;
- Loss of healthcare benefits;
- Loss of consortium – damage to family relationships resulting from the accident.
To receive the compensation you deserve, you must establish that another party was responsible for your accident. We can help you. The Tennessee rollover accident lawyers at Terry, Terry & Stapleton are committed to providing our clients with dedicated, quality representation. With almost 50 years of experience in East Tennessee, we are more than ready to fight for you. Contact us today at 800-518-3779 or use our convenient online contact form.
Sources:
Tennessee Department of Safety, “Vehicles that Overturn in Traffic Crashes in Tennessee 2003-2008.”
http://www.state.tn.us/safety/stats/CrashData/Rollover.pdf
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts, 2004 - 2008.
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-30/ncsa/STSI/47_TN/2008/47_TN_2008.htm
NHTSA – Traffic Safety Facts, Overview – 2008.
