How Does a Rollover Accident Happen?

 Posted on March 12, 2025 in Car Accidents

Saturday, March 8th, saw at least two rollover accidents in Illinois. A collision between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck in Iroquois County caused the passenger car to roll over, coming to rest on its side. Two of its occupants were taken to a nearby hospital, one with severe injuries. Closer to home, three vehicle occupants were sent to a hospital after a rollover crash in Champaign. In the second collision, a driver was cited for improper lane usage.

Rollover accidents often cause severe injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages after a rollover crash, but you need to have evidence proving why it happened and who was responsible. A skilled Champaign, IL rollover accident lawyer can find the necessary evidence and fight to help you collect as much compensation as you deserve.

What Can Cause Rollover Accidents?

When you think of rollover accidents, you may assume that a tractor-trailer rolled over. Semi-trucks have high profiles, with their center of gravity being several feet above ground level. In addition, cargo that is not secured or balanced correctly can shift, increasing the likelihood of a rollover accident.  While large truck rollovers are common, passenger vehicles can also roll.

Each accident has to be investigated to determine why a vehicle rolled over. Common causes include:

• Speeding, especially in sharp turns

• Strong winds

• Tire blowouts or defective suspension parts

• Steep embankments or slopes

• Subpar road conditions, such as uneven or broken pavement, potholes, and debris on roadways

• Distracted, aggressive, or impaired driving

In some cases, vehicles can "trip" over guardrails, curbs, and other stationary objects, leading to a rollover. In others, impacts in a collision can send a vehicle rolling. Understanding the cause of a rollover is important, because without proof of fault, you cannot hold another party liable for your damages.

Common damages in rollover accidents include reimbursement for related expenses, such as property damage, medical and ongoing care costs, and lost wages. You could also receive compensation for the ways in which your accident impacted your quality of life. Your attorney will calculate your damages and pursue the maximum available amount.

Why Do Rollovers Often Cause Severe Injuries?

According to 2022 data, 29 percent of that year’s passenger vehicle fatalities involved rollover accidents. While airbags and vehicle structures provide protection from many impact angles, passenger compartment roofs are easily crushed when a vehicle rolls. Drivers and passengers often sustain head and neck injuries, which can be catastrophic or fatal.

Many rollover collisions also cause a vehicle’s occupants to be partially or totally ejected as it rolls. Additional impacts, whether with the ground or the vehicle crushing the ejected victim, can cause additional injuries.

The dangers in a semi-truck rollover are also extreme. A truck’s 80,000-pound weight and dimensions often crush nearby vehicles, motorcycles, or pedestrians.  

Speak to a Knowledgeable Springfield, IL Rollover Accident Attorney

After being injured in a rollover accident, the last thing you need is to investigate and fight an insurance company alone. You can trust one of the dedicated Decatur, IL personal injury lawyers from Kanoski Bresney to handle your claim competently on your behalf. Schedule your free consultation today by contacting us online or calling 888-826-8682.