If you’re looking for a rollover accident attorney in the Palmetto State, you’re probably dealing with a serious wreck. Rollover crashes are some of the most violent car accidents we see on South Carolina roads. In 2024, 6,250 passenger vehicle occupants died in rollover crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
After these kinds of wrecks, what caused the rollover matters. Speed, the angle of impact, the type of vehicle, a failed tire, the roadway, and the conduct of another driver can all change the answer. You need someone looking at those details early, before the insurance company tries to put the blame on you or push you to settle for less than the claim is worth.
Why Rollover Accidents Are So Serious
A rollover crash is in a different category from a normal fender bender. When a vehicle rolls, the people inside can be thrown against the doors, roof, windows, seats, or each other. If someone is not wearing a seat belt, they may be partially or completely ejected from the vehicle.
According to NHTSA, 6,250 passenger car and light truck occupants died in crashes involving a rollover.
These wrecks can leave people with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, deep cuts, or permanent impairment. Plenty of people walk away from the scene thinking they are shaken up, then realize later that something is seriously wrong. That is why you need to get medical treatment quickly. Doing so protects your health and creates a record of what happened after the crash.
What Causes a Vehicle to Roll Over?
Rollovers do not all happen the same way. Sometimes the problem is the driver. Sometimes it is the vehicle, the road, the tires, or the force of another impact.
The causes matter because they help show who may be responsible:
- Speed and sharp turns: A vehicle is more likely to roll when a driver takes a curve too fast, makes a sudden maneuver, or overcorrects after drifting off the road.
- Vehicle type and center of gravity: SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans tend to sit higher off the ground. That higher center of gravity can make them more likely to tip during a sharp turn or sudden movement.
- Side-impact collisions: A hard hit to the side of a vehicle can cause it to flip, especially at intersections or during lane changes.
- Tire blowouts or mechanical failure: A blown tire, tread separation, worn tires, bad brakes, or another mechanical problem can cause a driver to lose control fast.
- Dangerous roads, shoulders, or curves: Sharp curves, uneven shoulders, road drop-offs, debris, or standing water can cause a vehicle to leave the roadway, overcorrect, and roll.
Looking at the cause of the rollover is not just about explaining how the crash happened. It is how we start figuring out who should be held responsible for the injuries that followed.
Who May Be Liable for a Rollover Accident?
Liability in a rollover accident comes down to what caused the vehicle to roll and what made the injuries worse. Sometimes that is easy to see. Another driver ran a red light, changed lanes without looking, or hit the vehicle from the side. Other times, we have to dig deeper.
A rollover claim may involve:
- Another driver who caused the impact, forced the vehicle off the road, or caused the driver to overcorrect
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer if a defect in the vehicle, roof structure, tires, or safety system contributed to the crash or made the injuries worse
- The trucking company or cargo loader if an overloaded or improperly loaded truck played a role in the rollover
- A repair shop or maintenance company if poor maintenance, bad brakes, or unsafe tires played a part
- A government agency if unsafe road conditions, poor signage, or a dangerous shoulder contributed to the crash
South Carolina follows modified comparative negligence. If you are 51% at fault or less, you may still recover damages. However, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover.
Because of this, Lowcountry Law does not like accepting the insurance company’s version of the crash at face value. In a rollover case, they may try to make it look like everything was your fault. We need to look at the whole picture and make sure your interests are protected.
How Insurance Companies Defend Rollover Claims
Insurance companies often try to make a rollover claim look like the injured driver’s fault. They may say you were speeding, distracted, impaired, overcorrected, or failed to keep control of the vehicle.
They may also dispute what caused the rollover, pointing to the road, the tires, the vehicle type, a mechanical issue, or how the vehicle was loaded.
The insurance company may also question your injuries, your treatment, or your social media posts. Be careful from the beginning. Get medical treatment, do not give a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer, and do not post about your crash or injuries online.
When the insurance company starts building its defense, you need an experienced rollover accident attorney to build your claim.
Talk With a South Carolina Rollover Accident Attorney Today
After a rollover crash, the details matter: the impact, the road, the tires, the vehicle, and what the insurance company tries to blame on you.
At Lowcountry Law, Matthew Breen looks at the whole picture and protects your interests from the start. If you were hurt in a rollover accident in Myrtle Beach, Mount Pleasant, or anywhere in South Carolina, call today for a free consultation.
