According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, about 40% of occupants are ejected from rollovers if unbelted, often leading to a fatality. Even in cases where the occupants were not ejected, it often results in very serious injuries, sometimes catastrophic, especially head and neck injuries.
The experienced California rollover accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase have decades of success winning cases for victims injured in rollover car accidents. We have recovered almost a billion dollars for our clients.
Rollovers are dangerous accidents with a much higher fatality rate than other crashes. A vehicle is classified as rolling over when it tips over onto its side or overturns and lands on its roof.
Many of these vehicle rollovers are caused by an auto defect. Whether it’s a design flaw or a defective part, rollover auto defect cases are complex and require an attorney with decades of experience winning these cases. Because you have to prove that the defective or dangerous auto part caused the injury, you’ll need an experienced team of legal professionals familiar with these cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle rollover accident, we can help. Call (800) 561-4887 for a free consultation.
Why Choose Bisnar Chase as Your Legal Team?
- Over $1 billion won
- 99% success rate
- Legal advocacy and extensive expertise
- Thorough investigations and injury assessments
- Our injury attorneys are all trial lawyers
- We negotiate medical expenses
- We request medical liens
- Courtroom and litigation representation
- Over 47 years in California, serving only plaintiffs
- Five locations to find an injury attorney near you
- 2026 Best Law Firms in America
- 2026 Litigator of the Year
- No fee if we don’t win
- Free consultation
California Rollover Accident Lawyers
How to litigate SUV and Truck Rollover Accident Claims
Litigating California SUV and truck rollover claims involves several key steps and considerations that a seasoned rollover accident lawyer would identify. You must hire a legal team familiar with auto defect cases to maximize financial compensation.
When an auto defect causes a rollover accident, the litigation process involves several specific considerations and steps to establish liability and pursue compensation. Auto defects can range from tire problems to steering issues to design flaws that make a vehicle more susceptible to rollovers. These defects can significantly contribute to the severity of an accident and the injuries sustained.
Establishing Liability in a Rollover Accident
Establishing liability in cases where an auto defect caused a rollover accident is crucial to demonstrating that the defect was present and directly contributed to the accident’s occurrence. This can involve:
- Expert Analysis: Accident reconstruction experts and automotive engineers may need to examine the vehicle to identify the defect and explain how it caused the rollover.
- Vehicle Inspection: A thorough vehicle inspection can reveal defects in tires, brakes, steering systems, or other critical components that could lead to a rollover.
- Manufacturer Records: Investigating the vehicle manufacturer’s records for recalls, previous lawsuits, and complaints about similar issues can provide evidence of known defects.
Legal Theories in Auto-Defect Cases
Several legal theories can be applied in rollover accident cases caused by auto defects, including:
- Negligence: Demonstrating that the manufacturer failed to exercise reasonable care in designing, manufacturing, or warning about the vehicle’s dangers.
- Strict Liability: Arguing that the vehicle was defective and unreasonably dangerous, leading to the accident, regardless of the manufacturer’s negligence.
- Breach of Warranty: Claiming that the vehicle failed to meet the quality and safety standards promised by the manufacturer.
Compensation and Damages
Victims of rollover accidents caused by auto defects may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Permanent disabilities or disfigurement
- Punitive damages in cases where the manufacturer’s actions were particularly egregious
Comparative Negligence in a Rollover Crash
Crash victims often believe that they may not have a case if they were partially to blame for the rollover accident, but in California, you can apply comparative negligence to the injury claim.
While you may not collect as much as you would if you were at 100% no-fault, you can still receive compensation, just on a reduced financial scale. The amount you’ll receive will depend on the amount of fault assigned to you. However, if the crash was caused by an auto defect, then there would likely be no liability on your part.
Steps to Take After a Rollover Crash
- Preserve the vehicle: Do not repair or alter it until experts thoroughly examine it.
- Gather evidence: Collect all available evidence, including photos of the accident scene, the vehicle, and medical records.
- Consult an Attorney: Seek legal advice from an attorney experienced in auto defect and rollover accident cases. They can navigate the complex legal landscape, handle negotiations with manufacturers, and represent your interests in court and during trial.
Statute of Limitations for a Rollover Crash
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years from the accident date. It’s essential to file your personal injury claim before this deadline.
Top Causes of Vehicle Rollovers
Many different factors cause rollover car accidents. For example, driving at high speed and losing control or hitting another vehicle or object is one of the top causes.
Driver errors can cause these crashes, too. But they also often result from auto defects and poor car design.
The Importance of Understanding Rollover Accidents
The importance of understanding rollover accidents is that they are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates more than 100,000 rollover crashes yearly; more than one-third of these accidents result in fatalities.
Auto defects causing rollover crashes include:
- Tire problems or tire separation.
- Steering issues leading to loss of control.
- Brake failure.
- Tripped rollover accidents.
- Tipped rollover accidents.
- Electrical system malfunctions.
- Poor balance.
- Other auto defects.
A tire separation or malfunction could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, especially at high speeds. Similarly, a defect that causes brake or steering failures can easily lead to a crash. Many vehicles have automatic safety systems, such as electronic stability control (ESC). But when an electronic system fails, it can leave drivers and passengers vulnerable.
More concerning is the danger of inherent design flaws that can make a vehicle dangerous. For example, taller vans and SUVs might be unbalanced. A dangerous design could cause a car to roll, especially at high speed on high-speed corners.
How Do Motor Vehicle Rollovers Occur?
Motor vehicle rollovers are a major cause of injury and death on the road. They occur when a vehicle’s driver loses control, causing the vehicle to flip over. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates over 100,000 motor vehicle rollovers annually in the United States.
There are a variety of reasons your vehicle may roll over, and many result from loss of control that leads to a flip. Tripped rollover accidents are often caused by curbs, ditches, or collisions with other vehicles. Untripped rollovers are usually caused by excessive speed, dangerous maneuvers, and sharp turns.
To prevent these accidents, drivers should be aware of their surroundings and stay in control of their vehicles at all times. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact our California rollover accident lawyers for a free consultation. There is no fee if we do not win your case.
What Vehicles are Vulnerable to Rollover Accidents?
Most vehicles can roll in the right circumstances. But some are more prone to rollovers than others. They include:
- SUVs
- Pickup trucks
- Buses—school bus, tour bus, public transportation bus
- Passenger vans
- Semi-trucks
You might think of larger vehicles as being safer. But the truth is that large vehicles such as SUVs, pickup trucks, commercial trucks, and vans carry a greater rollover likelihood. Some of these vehicles might have poorly designed components that make roll accidents more common. But in many cases, the physical shape of the vehicle makes it more dangerous.
Trucks, SUVs, and vans are all taller than regular cars. They also have greater ground clearance. This causes the mass and weight to be distributed higher off the roadway relative to the vehicle’s width.
The center of gravity may become even higher when carrying a heavy passenger or cargo loads. A high center of gravity creates a greater risk of tipping and rolling. California rollover accident lawyers can tell you if you have a case worth pursuing.
Brian Chase, an auto defect attorney who specializes in vehicle rollovers, discusses the dangers of roof crush in a rollover accident and the catastrophic injuries it causes.
Injuries Caused by Vehicle Rollovers
Due to their violent nature and intensity, roller accidents have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries and even deaths. Rollovers often cause roof crushes, which lead to even worse harm. Some of the common injuries that victims may suffer in a rollover crash include:
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Serious back injuries
- Amputations
- Fatalities (death)
Some of these severe injuries can cause lasting damage. In some cases, catastrophic injuries will result in permanent disabilities. A rollover car accident can have a huge impact on the victim and their family for years to come. Contact our experienced rollover injury attorneys for a free consultation if you have injuries caused by a rollover accident in California or any other state, if you suspect an auto defect caused the rollover.
Rollover Accidents
- Case #1: The I-80 Crash in Utah
- Case #2: The I-75 Crash in Georgia
- Case #3: The I-84 Crash in Oregon
- Case #4: Yuba City School Bus Disaster
- Case #5: Louisiana Charter Bus Rollover
- Case #6: Arkansas Charter Bus Rollover
- Case #7: Carroll County Church Bus Rollover
- Case #8: Sheriff’s Deputy Involved in 14 Freeway Rollover
- Case #9: I-80 Freeway in Vallejo Helicopter Rescue
- Case #10: Fatal Rollover on 91 West in LaPalma, CA
On January 14th, 2026, a woman was killed in a rollover crash that was caught on camera by Warner Studios in Burbank. She was traveling west on Olive Ave around 1:00 AM. She passed another vehicle and hit a curb (tripping rollover). She died at the scene.
An Orange County, California, firefighter suffered a brain injury in a rollover crash on September 19th, 2024. He suffered a grade 3 axonal injury and will be rehabilitating for the rest of his life. He was one of eight firefighters injured in the rollover. The crew was on their way back from battling a fire at an airport when the rollover happened.
Rollover Liability: Who is to Blame?
An essential part of any personal injury claim is determining liability for the crash. That means identifying the cause of the accident and holding the responsible parties accountable.
Rollovers are typically caused by the following:
- Driver error on your part
- Another driver
- A vehicle manufacturer
- Government Authority
In some cases, a rollover accident is caused by the actions of another driver. When this happens, a car accident attorney will help you claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
In other instances, a city authority may be responsible for creating a dangerous section of road. However, there are numerous examples of car manufacturers being held liable for auto defects that pose a danger to consumers.
When sub-par design or construction contributes to a crash, the manufacturer is liable and can be named in a lawsuit. It is the job of your California rollover accident lawyers to prove that an inherent fault in the vehicle caused a crash rather than driver error.
At Bisnar Chase, we are experts in auto defect cases. We have taken on the largest car makers and won millions of dollars for our clients, including major victories in rollover cases.
We examine your vehicle and conduct our tests to identify safety flaws, build a strong case, and leave the manufacturer with no choice but to pay the compensation you deserve. Reach out if you think you might have a case and want our top-rated rollover injury attorneys to take a look.
What is Your Rollover Case Worth?
Whether you are pursuing compensation from a negligent auto manufacturer or a careless driver, it is important to understand the potential value of your claim.
We resolve some cases through an out-of-court settlement. Others may go to trial. When auto defects cases go to trial, the manufacturer might also have to pay punitive damages. This means that the company would be ordered to pay extra as a form of punishment for its careless or dangerous actions.
Bisnar Chase excels at securing maximum compensation for auto defect victims. If you have been in a rollover accident, entrust your case to us and let us do what we do best.
Rollover Accident Statistics in the United States as of 2024
Rollover car accidents can be deadly, and the statistics show just how dangerous these crashes can be.
The most recent statistics on rollover accidents in the United States indicate that rollovers are a significant safety concern for vehicle occupants.
- According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2021, there were 7,640 passenger vehicle occupant deaths in rollover crashes.
- Passenger cars: 15% of fatal crashes involved rollovers (22% of fatalities).
- Light trucks (e.g., SUVs, pickups): 26% of fatal crashes involved rollovers (47% of fatalities).
- SUVs: 36% rollover rate in fatal crashes; fatalities more than doubled from 869 (1991) to 1,998 (2000).
- Pickups: 24% rollover rate; 49% of light truck rollover fatalities.
- Vans: 19% rollover rate.
- Out of these, 5,643 deaths occurred in single-vehicle rollover crashes, which account for nearly three-quarters of all rollover deaths.
- Rollover crashes accounted for 29 percent of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2021, and the proportion of occupant deaths involving a rollover was much higher in single-vehicle crashes (49 percent) than in multiple-vehicle crashes.
- Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that rollover crashes account for approximately 30 percent of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities annually.
- The IIHS also notes that although most rollovers (76 percent) were associated with a pre-rollover impact, a substantial proportion (24 percent) rolled over without having impacted anything beforehand.
- For large trucks, the IIHS reports that 52 percent of large truck occupant deaths in 2021 occurred in crashes in which their vehicles rolled over, which is higher than the percentage of SUV and pickup occupant deaths that occurred in rollover crashes.
- Studies show that 7,182 vehicle occupants died in rollover accidents in 2020.
- 24% of rollover deaths are caused by the process of the vehicle rolling after the initial impact.
- More than 58,000 people suffer injuries in SUV rollovers annually.
The stats paint a scary picture. But if you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, our team can help. A seasoned California rollover accident lawyer can examine your evidence and determine a path to financial compensation. Call 800-561-4887.
Vehicles with Rollover Dangers
Some vehicles have a poor safety record when it comes to rollover dangers. Here are a few specific examples:
Ford Bronco Sport: Some Bronco Sport models first featured incorrect front lower control arm components. The fault could impact steering and increase the risk of a rollover. A recall was issued.
Nissan NV3500: This is classed as an SUV but is tall and looks like a van, seating up to 12 people. It also scored poorly on the NHTSA safety test, with a 30.6% chance of rolling.
Cadillac Escalade: The 2017 Escalade produced a poor tip danger rating, though newer models have earned much better safety ratings.
Jeep Renegade and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: These two Jeeps are both meant for off-roading with 4WD. But the Jeep Renegade has a 23% chance of rolling, while the 2017 Jeep Wrangler scored 27.9%.
Other vehicles with a significant rollover risk include:
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Ram 2500
- GMC Yukon
- Toyota 4Runner
- Ford F-250
- Chevrolet Tahoe RWD
Why Should You Hire a Lawyer After a Rollover Crash?
Filing any kind of lawsuit can be daunting. You have already been through a terrible ordeal with your accident. Now, you need an expert on your side who knows the law and will work in your best interests. Many people who suffer serious injuries in car accidents will be left in pain, struggling to keep up with medical appointments and bills.
You need to put your case in the hands of an expert. A car accident lawyer with experience dealing with product liability and auto defect cases is your best bet to secure maximum compensation. Just as importantly, they will handle every aspect of your case while you focus on your recovery.
At Bisnar Chase, one of our top practice areas is auto defects. When you work with us, you get:
- A free consultation.
- Compassionate staff who are easy to reach when you have questions.
- The resources, skill, and experience to take on major companies and win.
- A track record of success in rollover cases.
- A ‘No Win, No Fee’ promise.
Working with a skilled attorney is even more important when you are going up against a major auto company. The car manufacturer will have an experienced legal team, so you must too.
Do not leave your claim to chance. The best should represent you. Contact Bisnar Chase now for a free case evaluation from a top-rated California rollover accident attorney.
Rollover Car Accident FAQs
It is only natural to have questions before you decide to file a lawsuit. We aim to answer a few of the most common and frequently asked questions about rollover claims below.
If you have further questions, call us today. Our team will be happy to help.
Determining liability can be complex in a rollover accident case. It is best to contact us and let us examine the evidence and provide guidance. In some cases, you may be partially at fault but are still entitled to compensation using comparative negligence.
Collect as much evidence as possible, including pictures or video from the accident scene, medical reports, and anything else you can think of related to your injuries. Do not do anything to the vehicle besides storing it.
To start with, you need to file a claim within two years of the accident, according to the California statute of limitations. Once filed, it can take weeks, months, or years to resolve a case, depending on how complex it is. We will handle every step for you.
At Bisnar Chase, we offer a ‘No Win, No Fee’ promise. This system protects you from out-of-pocket expenses and means you pay nothing if we do not win for you. Using a contingency fee basis, we shield you from financial liability until the case is won.
How To Prevent Vehicle Rollovers
Many factors can cause a rollover crash. Here are a few tips on how to reduce the chances of being involved in an accident:
- Check your tires: Under- or over-inflated tires can compromise steering.
- Understand your load limits: Heavy cargo can unbalance a vehicle.
- Avoid panic steering: Sudden and hard steering can cause a vehicle to tip or roll.
- Slow down: One of the top causes of rollovers is speeding.
- Avoid top-heavy vehicles: Check safety ratings and be aware that large vehicles are more prone to tip-over accidents.
- Beware of rural roads: Many rollover accidents occur on rural roads with less visibility and more turns.
- Reckless driving: Driving too fast for the road conditions.
- Inexperience: Poor steering, handling, and basic driving skills in top-heavy vehicles.
Modern cars have made significant progress in rollover prevention technology, especially since key systems became mandatory in the US. The main goal is to stop rollovers before they happen (active prevention) rather than just reduce injuries after they occur (passive protection).
SUVs, pickups, and light trucks remain more susceptible to rollovers due to their higher centers of gravity, but ESC and related systems have dramatically reduced the risk. For example, rollover rates in late-model SUVs dropped significantly as ESC became standard.
Seatbelt Safety in Rollovers
Seatbelt safety is critically important in rollover accidents, where the risk of severe injury or death is significantly higher than in other crash types. Rollovers account for about 3% of all U.S. crashes but nearly 30% of fatalities, largely due to ejections and violent occupant movements inside the vehicle.
Key Seatbelt Statistics from NHTSA
- In rollover crashes, around 40% of occupants may be ejected if unbelted, with ejection often fatal.
- The combination of seatbelts and modern rollover-activated curtain airbags (FMVSS No. 226-compliant) reduces the probability of ejection by 99%.
- Even with advanced restraints, seatbelts remain the single most effective factor in preventing ejection and fatalities in rollovers—more impactful than airbags alone (which can be dangerous without belts).
- Recent data (up to 2024-2025) shows national front-seat belt use at about 91.2%, but unrestrained occupants still account for nearly 50% of passenger vehicle deaths overall.
Seatbelt use is the most critical factor in preventing ejection and reducing mortality in rollover crashes, which account for a significant portion of motor vehicle fatalities despite comprising only 2.2% of crashes.
Belted vs. Unbelted Passengers
In the video below, you can see the unbelted passenger becomes a threat to the belted passenger, hurling into the driver. The injuries the unbelted passenger will receive are clearly catastrophic, and wearing the seatbelt may have only resulted in a bruised clavicle.
2026 Best Law Firms: Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Rollover accidents and auto defects can be complex cases involving serious injuries. You need an expert car accident lawyer on your side who will hold even the largest vehicle manufacturers accountable.
Bisnar Chase has decades of experience winning personal injury claims across California. We have been in business since 1978, winning $1B for our clients with a 99% success rate over that time.
Many of our biggest cases have been auto defects, and we have taken on some of the top vehicle manufacturers in the world. We never back down when it comes to exposing negligence and winning the compensation that our clients deserve.
Contact our California rollover accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase today. Call (800) 561-4887 for a free consultation. You can also use our live chat or send us an email.
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
