Most vehicles are safe to operate, even when an evasive maneuver becomes necessary at high speeds. However, several vehicles on the road have flawed design and become unstable at critical times. When a vehicle becomes unstable, it becomes impossible to control and it could possibly rollover and cause severe injuries. If you or a loved one suffers a serious injury as a result of a vehicle rollover, you may have a product liability claim. We want to speak with you about your potential claims. Call us today.

Rollover accidents can be very serious, even deadly. Every year, people are severely injured (or killed) as the result of rollover accidents. Victims of these accidents may be left with long-term injuries and disabilities, facing expensive medical bills, and can even be left unable to work.

Of the 30,000 deaths on our highways which occur every year, over 10,000 can be attributed to rollover accidents. While these accidents are often associated with SUVs and light trucks, these accidents can happen to any vehicle that loses balance. These accidents are frequently caused by rapid overcorrection in steering.

What causes a vehicle to roll over?

Rollover accidents occur for a variety of reasons and in many cases, although not always, involve singular vehicles. Vehicles with a high center of gravity are far more likely to be involved in a rollover accident, such as high sided SUVs as opposed to compact family cars. Rollovers often occur when a vehicle has misjudged a bend and is turning at high speed. What happens is that the down force of the tires push the vehicle into the ground to keep grip and the upper mass of the vehicle is governed by inertial forces which in turn pull the vehicle upwards in the opposite direction. These two forces combine and result in the vehicle becoming unstable and rolling towards the outside of the bend or turn. Gravity then comes into play and forces the vehicle down onto the road thus flipping it over.

Roll over accidents can also occur when a vehicle has clipped a curb or another object at high speed. This happens because the force of the wheels stop suddenly and the motion of the upper part of the vehicle carries it forward. This is also known as 'tripping'. More often than not, driving without due care and attention is the cause of a roll over; however, in some instances, external forces such as faulty roads or defective vehicle parts play a big part in the accident. If you think that an accident has been caused by external forces, then an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer who specialises in rollover accidents will be able to help. They can do this by having the vehicle thoroughly checked over to look for defects. They have the power to call in specialists such as metallurgists, mechanics and crash investigators who will all assist the attorney. The crash investigators will also closely examine the markings on the road, the vehicle path, and the debris field for evidence of defective parts that might have played a role in the accident.

Possible Injuries During Vehicle Rollovers

Rollover accidents can result in a number of serious injuries, including:

• Fractures
• Contusions
• Concussions
• Brain injuries
• Spinal injuries

SUV Rollovers

By and large, the automobiles that have been manufactured in recent years are safer than those built at any previous time in the history of motor vehicles. However, this improved safety has not translated entirely to sport utility vehicles. Beginning in the late '90s, SUVs experienced a dramatic increase in popularity and became fixtures on American roadways. Regrettably, the manufacturers of these vehicles and the third-party parts that are utilized have done a poor job in adequately accounting for the demands of real world use. As a result, there are hundreds of light truck and SUV rollover crashes each day in the United States.

If you have been hurt in an SUV rollover accident, it is entirely possible that your crash was beyond your own control - it may be attributable to the negligence of your vehicle’s manufacturer. If that is the case, you may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation for your injuries and all associated damages. Contact the SUV rollover attorneys of Doyle Law at (205) 533-9500 to speak with a skilled and experienced attorney about your potential case.

Vehicles Susceptible to Rollovers

According to studies, SUVs, vans, and light trucks are all more likely to roll over in an accident than sedans or coups. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), SUVs are 75% more likely to be involved in rollover accidents than are traditional cars. Furthermore, the administration estimates that the safest SUVs are still more likely to roll over in an accident than the least safe sedans.

The rollover problem is a systemic one associated with many different models of SUVs, vans, and trucks. The following vehicle models are all associated with an increased rollover risk:

• Ford Escape
• Chevrolet Blazer
• Chevrolet Pickup Truck
• GMC Suburban
• Jeep Liberty
• Suzuki Samurai
• Mitsubishi Montero
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Isuzu Rodeo
• Ford Ranger
• Ford Explorer

15 Passenger Van Rollovers

Many people primarily associate rollover accidents with sports utility vehicles. However, these are not the only vehicles that can become dangerous on the roadways. 15 passenger vans also have a much higher risk of rollover accidents compared to smaller vehicles.

When a 15 passenger van rolls over, the consequences can be devastating. Sadly, many of these accidents are caused by design or manufacturing defects that could have been easily and completely avoided. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a van rollover due to another party’s negligence, the 15 passenger van rollover lawyers of Doyle Law may be able to help.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued repeated warnings about the risks of driving a 15 passenger van. Because these vehicles are longer than most cars, they can be much more difficult to control. In addition, many vans have a top-heavy design that increases the likelihood of a rollover accident.

Rollover accidents are most likely to occur in the following circumstances:

• The vehicle leaves the road. If a driver is fatigued, intoxicated, or distracted, he or she may fail to steer the van correctly, causing it to drift off the road. If there is debris alongside the road, or a change in elevation between the road and the ground, the van may roll over.


• The driver steers sharply. Many rollover accidents occur when drivers swerve, over-correct their steering, or make sharp turns. Due to the length and weight of 15 passenger vans, these sharp movements can cause the back end to swing forward, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.


• There is a tire blowout or defect. If a 15 passenger van experiences a tire blow, tire tread separation, or a similar incident, the driver can easily lose control of the van. This may cause the van to swerve, potentially resulting in a rollover accident.

Many 15 passenger van rollovers are related to reckless behavior, defective parts, or poor vehicle designs. If you have been harmed in an accident due to any of these factors, you may have grounds for a legal claim. Our 15 passenger van rollover attorneys can help you pursue justice.

Alabama Rollover Lawsuits and Legal Representation

The Alabama rollover injury lawyers at Doyle Law have a proven track record of success in helping our clients obtain compensation for injuries resulting from defective products like certain rollovers.

Our experienced team of legal professionals and Alabama Rollover Injury Attorneys have been helping victims of defective products for years. We are dedicated to achieving real justice for our clients and we can assure them that we will work diligently to achieve the best result possible.

Contact An Alabama Rollover Injury Law Firm

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a rollover accident that was caused by a mechanical or design defect, you should not have to be held financially responsible for the outcome. Discussing your case with an experienced passenger car rollover attorney may be the first step to securing justice.

Filing a defective vehicle rollover lawsuit can help victims and their families affected by the defective product recover the financial compensation necessary to pay for expensive treatment and long term care. Do not wait another day and risk losing your claim.

Alabama Statute of Limitations on Rollover Accident Claims

Alabama has a two year statute of limitations on filing certain product liability and personal injury claims, including rollover injury claims. It takes time to acquire medical records, employment records, gather evidence, and draft pleadings, so please do not delay in contacting us if you have any concern that your injury may have been caused by a defective vehicle design that led to your rollover accident.