Who is at Fault for a Rollover Accident in Massachusetts?
A rollover accident is a type of crash where a vehicle is flipped onto its side or roof. After rollover accidents, at-fault drivers can be held liable for injuries they cause.
The driver whose negligent actions caused the crash will be at fault for a rollover accident in Massachusetts. These negligent actions can come in many forms. Furthermore, there are several types of evidence that can be used to prove that another driver is at fault.
If you were hurt because of a rollover accident in Massachusetts, get help obtaining the financial compensation available to you. Reach out to our experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free review of your case.
Identifying at-Fault Drivers After Rollover Accidents in Massachusetts
The driver whose careless behavior caused or contributed to your accident will be considered at-fault. In every lawsuit seeking compensation related to rollover accident injuries, plaintiffs must demonstrate that the following elements are true:
- The defendant driver owed you a duty of care
- The defendant driver breached their duty of care, leading to the crash at issue
- You were injured because of the defendant’s breach of duty
- You incurred damages as a result of the harm you suffered
Drivers are expected to operate their vehicles with reasonable care and obey all traffic laws. There are many types of negligent actions committed by drivers who breach their duty of care. If you suffered a rollover crash because of another driver’s careless conduct, our Boston car accident lawyers can assess the strength of your case during your free case review.
What is a Rollover Accident in Massachusetts?
A rollover accident is a type of accident that causes a car to tip on its side or roof. Certain vehicles like trucks, vans, and SUVs are more likely to roll over. Furthermore, many drivers suffer rollovers because their tires strike curbs, ditches, and other obstructions during the course of their accidents. Fortunately, in Massachusetts, negligent drivers can be held liable for rollover accidents they cause.
Examples of Negligent Actions that Cause Rollover Accidents in Massachusetts
There are many forms of negligent conduct that can lead to rollover crashes in Massachusetts. Our Beverly car accident lawyers can offer guidance and support to victims of accidents stemming from any of the following causes:
Drunk Driving
Many drivers cause rollover crashes because they were operating their vehicles while drunk. Drunk drivers will have difficulty handling their vehicles and seeing properly. It is an inherently dangerous activity. Drunk drivers may cause rollover accidents by abruptly striking another vehicle or by causing another vehicle to swerve while avoiding impact. Our team can help build your case against a drunk driver after a rollover accident.
Speeding
Speeding drivers are also often at-fault for rollover accidents. At high speeds, cars become difficult to control. Furthermore, motorists traveling at illegal speeds can have trouble braking on time if cars in front of them slow down. Our experienced Cambridge car accident lawyers can investigate whether your collision was caused by a speeding driver.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another common form of negligence committed by at-fault drivers in rollover accidents. Motorists can be visually, manually, or cognitively distracted. While distracted, drivers are prone to veering out of their lanes, making improper turns, and disobeying traffic signals. The following are examples of activities that distract motorists:
- Texting
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to other passengers
- Viewing social media
- Entering information into a GPS
- Choosing music to play from a mobile device
Certain activities, like texting, can cause drivers to suffer from all three forms of distraction. Our Chelsea car accident lawyers can help prove that distracted drivers are at fault.
Illegal Lane Changes
Additionally, illegal lane changes are a common type of negligent act committed by at-fault drivers. When drivers fail to use turn signals or attempt to change lanes in an illegal zone, severe rollover accidents can occur. These types of accidents often occur on highways, when vehicles often change lanes at high speeds. If you were injured because of a rollover accident caused by an improper lane change, you may be entitled to multiple forms of monetary damages.
Reckless Driving
In Massachusetts, reckless driving occurs when motorists operate their vehicles with indifference to the fact that their manner of driving is likely to result in serious injury or death. For example, a driver who is speeding down the shoulder of a highway during rush hour traffic may be guilty of reckless driving. Furthermore, drivers engaged in drag racing on public roads will be considered reckless drivers. Reckless drivers are another common cause of rollover accidents in Massachusetts. Victims of such accidents can get in touch with our experienced Framingham car accident lawyers for guidance on their road to recovery.
Proving Who is at Fault for a Rollover Accident in Massachusetts
In order for a rollover accident lawsuit to prevail, plaintiffs must prove that defendants were responsible for the crashes at issue. There are several categories of evidence that are used to accomplish this task. The following are common types of evidence our Massachusetts car accident lawyers utilize:
Surveillance Footage
Surveillance footage from private security cameras and traffic cameras can be highly helpful when proving that another driver is responsible for your rollover accident. Footage from cameras near the accident scene may help explain events that unfolded before, during, and after your crash. However, relevant footage may be hard to acquire. Our team can help obtain copies of relevant surveillance footage in your lawsuit.
Eyewitness Statements
Eyewitness statements are another common type of evidence used to establish who is at fault for rollover crashes. For example, an eyewitness may testify that a defendant ran a red light before running into a plaintiff’s car. In that case, the witness’s testimony can help prove that the defendant is responsible for the crash at issue.
Witnesses can offer either oral or written testimony. You should always attempt to obtain contact information for witnesses to your rollover accident. Our attorneys can help when reaching out for their cooperation.
Photos from the Scene
Photos from the scene are also used to prove who is at fault for rollover accidents. Photos from the scene can be used to prove or disprove theories regarding a rollover crash’s cause. Our Glouchester car accident lawyers can help review any photos from the scene of your accident during a free review of your case.
If You Were Injured Because of a Rollover Accident in Massachusetts, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you suffered a rollover accident, seek support from our experienced Quincy car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free review of your case.