What does a Lehigh Valley rollover accident lawyer do?

A Lehigh Valley rollover accident lawyer like Ed Shaughnessy investigates the crash, identifies all responsible parties, handles insurance negotiations, and pursues maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Why are rollover accidents so serious?

Rollover accidents make up a small percentage of crashes but cause a high number of serious injuries and fatalities because vehicles can flip, crush the roof, eject passengers, and cause catastrophic trauma.

What are the most common causes of rollover accidents in the Lehigh Valley?

Common causes include speeding, reckless driving, overcorrecting after drifting out of a lane, distracted driving, fatigue, drunk or drugged driving, defective vehicle design, tire blowouts, and unsafe road design or maintenance.

Can defective vehicle design cause a rollover accident?

Yes. SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans with high centers of gravity and poor safety features are more likely to roll over. Weak roof supports or inadequate stability control can lead to product liability claims against the vehicle manufacturer.

How can defective tires lead to rollover crashes?

Defective tires with problems like tread separation can cause sudden blowouts and loss of control, which may trigger a rollover. In these cases, injured victims may have a product liability claim against the tire manufacturer or others in the supply chain.

Can poor road design or maintenance contribute to rollover accidents?

Yes. Missing guardrails, sharp curves, poor sightlines, bad signage, and roads not designed for current traffic volumes can all increase rollover risk. In these cases, a government entity or contractor may be liable for roadway defects.

What types of rollover accident cases does Ed Shaughnessy handle?

He handles rollover car crashes, truck and 18-wheeler rollovers, ATV and UTV rollovers, and fatal rollover accident cases involving wrongful death claims.

What injuries are common in rollover accidents?

Common injuries include head and traumatic brain injuries, neck and spine injuries, paralysis, severe back injuries, broken bones, amputations, and organ damage caused by roof crush, ejection, and violent impact forces.

What should I do after a rollover auto accident in the Lehigh Valley?

Move to safety if possible, call 911, get medical help, obtain a police report, have someone exchange information with other drivers, notify your insurance company, and then contact a Pennsylvania auto accident lawyer before giving statements.

Is Pennsylvania a no-fault state for rollover accidents?

Yes. Pennsylvania’s no-fault system means your own PIP coverage initially pays at least $5,000 in medical benefits after a rollover crash, regardless of who caused it. You may still pursue additional compensation from at-fault parties.

How can a Lehigh Valley rollover car accident lawyer help with my PIP and injury claims?

Your lawyer can coordinate PIP benefits, investigate the cause of the rollover, prove liability, challenge insurer tactics, and pursue damages beyond basic PIP limits, including pain and suffering and long-term care costs.

Do I have to pay upfront to hire Ed Shaughnessy for a rollover case?

No. The law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront legal fees and only owe attorney’s fees if your claim is successful through a settlement or verdict.

When should I contact a Lehigh Valley rollover accident attorney?

You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after the rollover, especially if you suffered serious injuries, lost a loved one, suspect a vehicle or tire defect, or believe poor road conditions contributed to the crash.

Rollover Accidents

Home » Practice Areas » Personal Injury Lawyer Easton, PA » Easton Auto Accident Lawyer » Rollover Accidents

Lehigh Valley Rollover Accident Lawyer

Lehigh Valley rollover accident lawyer Ed Shaughnessy understands the severity of vehicle rollover accidents. While rollover crashes account for only 2-3% of motor vehicle accidents, when rollover accidents occur, they cause a disproportionate amount of passenger vehicle fatalities. If your vehicle rolls, you need a skilled Lehigh Valley rollover accident attorney to help you secure maximum compensation for property damage and the catastrophic but sadly common injuries incurred in these collisions.

Skilled Lehigh Valley auto accident attorney provides free initial consultations and handles legal cases on a contingency fee basis. This means clients don’t owe any upfront legal fees unless they win a fair settlement or a jury award.

To schedule a free legal consultation, contact a personal injury lawyer by calling (601) 258-9955 or completing the online contact form.

Most Common Causes of Rollover Accidents in Lehigh Valley

At-Fault Driver Behavior Causing Rolling Crashes

Many rollover accidents occur in the Lehigh Valley because drivers ignore posted speed limits, travel at high speeds, or make reckless maneuvers on Route 22 and I-78. Common causes include distracted driving, attempts to overcorrect after drifting out of a lane, and driver fatigue, all of which make it easy to lose control of a vehicle. In some rollover crashes, drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs are responsible for creating unsafe conditions that caused the car crash. When the other driver causes serious injuries or death, a Lehigh Valley rollover accident lawyer can work to ensure they’re held responsible. Personal injury lawyer Ed Shaughnessy helps clients seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.

Defective Design and Vehicle Manufacturer Liability

Defective vehicle design is a significant factor in rollover car accidents. Recent PA DOT reports reinforce such vehicle manufacturer liability. Rollover crashes occurred in 4.0 % of light-truck/SUV/van crashes in 2023, compared to 2.9 % of standard car crashes. Reports also show that sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, which have higher centers of gravity, are much more prone to tripped or untripped rollovers.

These motor vehicle accidents also led to 32% more deaths than passenger vehicle fatalities. When a rollover happens because top-heavy vehicles lack proper safety features, such as strong roof supports, adequate protection, or stability control, those involved in a rollover crash can file a product defect claim in Lehigh Valley against the car’s manufacturer. Lehigh Valley rollover accident attorney Ed Shaughnessy is experienced in the legal process of proving liability and holding car manufacturers responsible for negligent design of safety features.

Blowouts and Defective Tires Causing Rollover Collisions

Defective tires, especially those suffering from tread separation, can trigger sudden loss of control. This is a common cause of rollover accidents. Firestone recalled millions of tires after tread separation in SUVs led to blowouts and rollovers. More recently, government agencies have warned that blowouts from Goodyear’s G159 RV tires have caused severe accidents, including deaths. Coordinated product liability claims may arise when injuries occur from defective tires or inadequate warnings.

Lehigh Valley rollover accident lawyer Shaughnessy helps victims ensure negligent automakers are held accountable. If you’ve been involved in a rollover car accident, contact his law firm to discuss your legal options.

Faulty Roadway Design and Planning For Rural Road Conditions

Defective roadway design significantly increases rollover car crash risks in Lehigh County. According to the LVPC, roads aren’t designed for current traffic volumes. Allentown’s “Safe Streets for All” action plan identifies local areas with disproportionately high rates of serious injury crashes, signaling planning deficiencies on rural roads. Lehigh Valley rollover accident attorney Shaughnessy conducts investigations into road geometry, speed limits, signs, and maintenance responsibilities. When negligence in planning for road conditions, such as missing guardrails, poor sightlines, sharp curves, or other failures, causes a rollover collision, a government entity or contractor is typically liable for negligence under roadway defect laws.

Common Rollover Accident Claims in Lehigh Valley

Rollover Car Crash Cases

No matter the type of car, when a person is involved in a rollover car crash, they typically need to file a personal injury lawsuit, as the damages are catastrophic. A Pennsylvania rollover accident lawyer, like Ed Shaughnessy, can help accident victims recover compensation, manage medical expenses, and obtain fair compensation from the at-fault driver.

Truck Rollover Accident Cases

Victims of big truck accidents often have more life-threatening injuries. Fatal rollovers account for approximately 5% of all fatal truck crashes annually. 18-wheeler and pickup truck driver behavior is a significant factor in rollover car accidents. These vehicle rollover accidents present complex issues and require a skilled Lehigh Valley rollover accident attorney with extensive experience building strong cases. If you need legal assistance with a Lehigh Valley truck accident claim, contact a personal injury attorney from the law firm to schedule a free case evaluation.

ATV and UTV Rollover Accident Cases

Sport utility vehicle rollover accidents are a growing concern. Off-road vehicle occupants are often severely injured when these rollover crashes occur. Federal guidance highlights ATV rollover risks from inadequate stability and safety features. This supports defect theories when the design or ESC performance is the cause of rollover accidents. Landowner responsibility depends on where the rollover occurs. Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act can limit rollover accident claims for free public recreation, but not for willful or malicious failures, while commercial operators and fee-based venues do not get the same protection. A Lehigh Valley rollover accident lawyer can determine whether clients have a claim and seek recovery for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.

Fatal Rollover Accident Cases

In 2023, fatal rollovers in trucks, SUVs, and vans accounted for 24.3% of accident deaths. Fatal rollover crashes accounted for 18.1% of car accident deaths. When a vehicle flips and causes fatal injuries, a Lehigh Valley fatal rollover accident lawyer can determine whether the death was caused by the other driver’s or the vehicle manufacturer’s negligence. If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal rollover and need legal representation for a fatal car accident claim in Lehigh Valley, contact the law firm for a free case evaluation.

Common Rollover Accident Injury Claims in Lehigh Valley

Neck, Head, and Traumatic Brain Injuries Incurred from Roof Crush

During serious accidents like a rollover crash, impacts typically cause catastrophic or fatal injuries. When these types of car accidents occur, passengers can be ejected or thrown from the vehicle if they are not wearing a seatbelt. This can lead to severe head or traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, when the roof of a vehicle involved in a tripped or untripped rollover collapses, the person inside can suffer catastrophic head, brain, and neck injuries or even death. A vehicle rollover accident lawyer can determine whether the vehicle type or other vehicles are responsible and help victims pursue compensation by providing experienced Lehigh Valley brain injury lawsuit assistance.

Paralysis and Severe Back Injuries

Rollover car accidents frequently cause violent ejection forces that compress the spine. This often leads to neck injuries, back injuries, or paralysis. When a vehicle loses control in tripped or untripped rollovers, the victim often needs lifelong care in the aftermath. If you or a loved one sustained these catastrophic injuries, vehicle rollover accident lawyer Ed Shaughnessy can help you pursue a spinal damage claim in Lehigh Valley.

Broken Bones and Amputations

Broken bones and traumatic limb amputations happen frequently when a vehicle rolls. These severe injuries often require multiple surgeries, rehab, and long-term pain management. If you or a loved one has been injured, call Lehigh Valley rollover accident lawyer Ed Shaugnessy for experienced legal representation.

Organ Damage

Rollover car accidents can cause blunt-force trauma to organs. Internal bleeding or ruptures aren’t immediately visible and can become fatal without immediate medical attention. If you need a car accident lawyer to represent your family in a Lehigh Valley internal organ damage lawsuit, Ed Shaughnessy has a deep understanding of Pennsylvania personal injury law and will help secure the compensation you deserve.

What to Do After a Rollover Auto Accident in Lehigh Valley

Having a plan in the event of a rollover vehicle accident is crucial. Following a rollover crash,

Move away from traffic and the accident scene if possible.
Call 911 and get immediate help from medical experts.
Obtain police reports and have a family member exchange details with other drivers.
Inform your insurance company, but do not give any statements.

After this, schedule a free consultation with a Pennsylvania auto accident lawyer to discuss a legal claim. After retaining attorney Shaugnessy for legal representation, he’ll take photos, gather evidence and medical records, and work with insurers and other drivers to ensure you’re compensated for medical bills, income losses, pain and suffering, and other expenses.

How a Lehigh Valley Rollover Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

A Lehigh Valley rollover car accident lawyer can help victims build strong claims. If the personal injury lawyer concludes that filing a rollover accident lawsuit is in the best interest of the client, they’ll help seek compensation from potentially liable parties.

Pennsylvania follows a no-fault system, meaning your own policy initially covers medical expenses after a crash, regardless of who caused it. State law only requires a minimum of $5,000 in medical benefits under Personal Injury Protection (PIP). These pay for your treatment directly through your insurer, not the other driver’s insurance company. After a rollover car accident, you should notify your insurer promptly to preserve your claim. Edward P. Shaughnessy, an experienced Lehigh Valley car accident lawyer, can investigate the cause of the collision, determine liability, fight for your best interest, and pursue maximum compensation beyond basic PIP limits for your injuries and losses.

Contact a Lehigh Valley Rollover Accident Attorney For a Free Consultation

When a car, SUV, or truck rolls, the aftermath is typically very serious injuries and mounting medical bills that victims can’t afford. You need a skilled Lehigh Valley rollover injury attorney to protect your rights to fair recovery. Experienced car accident attorney Ed Shaughnessy will fight on your behalf to help get a fair settlement. The law firm handles claims on a contingency fee basis and offers free legal consultations. This means clients only pay if their legal claims are successful.

To schedule a free initial consultation, call 601-258-9955 or complete the contact form.