Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof, often after hitting a curb, swerving sharply, or colliding with another car. They are among the most severe types of crashes, with a significantly higher risk of ejection, traumatic injuries, and fatal outcomes.

Several factors make Springfield and Greene County particularly susceptible to rollover crashes:

• High-speed highways such as I-44 and Highway 65, where drivers may overcorrect after sudden maneuvers.
• Urban intersections with frequent lane changes and congestion, like Glenstone Avenue or Battlefield Road.
• Top-heavy vehicles such as SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks have a higher center of gravity and are therefore more likely to roll over during sharp turns, sudden maneuvers, or side-impact collisions.
• Rural roads, with narrow lanes, soft shoulders, or uneven surfaces, which can contribute to loss of control and rollovers.

No matter where a rollover occurs in Springfield, on a busy city street or a rural highway, these crashes often stem from a combination of speed, vehicle design, and road conditions. Understanding these factors is key to determining liability and protecting your right to recovery.

Rollover crashes exert extreme forces on the body. Even with modern safety features like airbags and seatbelts, victims often sustain multiple serious injuries at once.

Common rollover car accident injuries include:

• Fractures and broken bones: Often affecting the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis due to vehicle intrusion or ejection.
• Spinal cord injuries: Including herniated discs, paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia), and other long-term mobility impairments.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Resulting from blunt-force impact or rapid acceleration and deceleration.
• Internal injuries: Damage to vital organs such as the lungs, liver, or spleen, sometimes accompanied by internal bleeding.
• Head and neck trauma: Including concussions, whiplash, skull fractures, or cervical spine injuries.
• Psychological trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression stemming from the crash and its aftermath.

Our Springfield rollover accident attorneys help clients document the full extent of their harm and pursue the recovery needed to move forward.

How Comparative Fault May Affect Your Rollover Accident Claim

Under Missouri’s comparative fault law, if you are found partly at fault, your rollover accident settlement is reduced by that percentage. A judge or jury makes this determination of fault. This system ensures that even if you are partly responsible for a crash, you can still recover damages.

For example, if your total damages were valued at $100,000 and you were found 25% at fault, you would recover $75,000. Insurance carriers often try to reduce payouts by exaggerating a plaintiff’s share of fault.

We counter these tactics by anticipating these strategies and presenting a fact-based case. We thoroughly investigate the crash, consult with experts, and present a clear account of what actually happened. We protect your right to a fair recovery for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering, and prevent insurers from unfairly shifting blame.

Missouri law sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims after a rollover accident. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from pursuing compensation and may put critical evidence at risk.

Key points include:

• Most personal injury claims: You generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit ( Rev. Stat. § 516.120).
• Claims involving government entities: A notice of claim must be submitted within 90 days before a lawsuit can proceed.
• Timely filing protects your case: Filing within these deadlines preserves your rights, ensures evidence remains available, and allows your attorney to build a strong case.

At Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, we take prompt action to file your claim correctly and on time, so you can focus on your recovery.

Schedule a Free Consultation

If you were injured in a rollover accident, your legal claim may involve not only another driver but also a vehicle manufacturer, parts supplier, or government entity responsible for roadway design or maintenance. You need experienced representation to identify all potentially liable parties and ensure your claim is handled effectively. For more detailed guidance, see our rollover accident guide.

We serve clients throughout Springfield, Joplin, St. Louis, and throughout Missouri. Contact us today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for your losses.