SUV Rollover Accidents

Car Crash Lawyer Representing Spartanburg and Greenville Victims

SUVs are popular for a variety of reasons, including their size and cargo capacity. They are also commonly known for their tendency to roll over when they are involved in certain types of motor vehicle collisions. Roughly 30,000 people are hurt each year in the U.S. as a result of an SUV rollover. These accidents happen because of the high center of gravity that SUVs, minivans, and light trucks feature, which makes them relatively less stable on the road. At the Knie & Shealy Law Offices, Greenville and Spartanburg car accident attorney Patrick E. Knie has provided knowledgeable assistance and dedicated advocacy to victims throughout South Carolina.

Bringing a Product Liability Claim Based on an SUV Rollover Accident

Many rollovers arise from problems or errors in the design of a vehicle. To obtain compensation from the manufacturer of an SUV that has been involved in a rollover accident, the plaintiff may try to show that the manufacturer designed the vehicle in a way that was unreasonably dangerous. According to South Carolina law, the plaintiff must prove the existence of a design defect in a vehicle by satisfying the risk utility test. Under this approach, a design is considered unreasonably dangerous when the risks that it poses outweigh the utility of the design. The plaintiff must also show that a reasonable alternative design was available at the time that the manufacturer selected the allegedly dangerous design.

Depending on the situation, the plaintiff may also allege that the vehicle suffered from a defect during the manufacturing process that rendered it unreasonably dangerous, or that the manufacturer failed to provide sufficient warnings when it marketed, advertised, and sold the vehicle. This might include failing to provide warnings about a vehicle’s propensity to roll when handled in a certain manner.

In some cases, a plaintiff may also assert a negligence-based cause of action against the vehicle manufacturer. This requires the plaintiff to show that the manufacturer was negligent or failed to use reasonable care when it designed and built the vehicle or a component.

Personal injury cases require a plaintiff to prove causation. In other words, the plaintiff must show that the problem with the SUV was the but-for cause of his or her harm. Next, the plaintiff must submit evidence supporting the forms of compensation that he or she is seeking. Some common examples include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and diminished quality of life.

Consult a Dedicated Car Accident Attorney in Greenville or Spartanburg

If you have been involved in an SUV rollover, you may be entitled to compensation. At the Knie & Shealy Law Offices, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate and diligent legal representation. Spartanburg and Greenville car accident lawyer Patrick E. Knie has counseled victims in Union, Laurens, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Cherokee Counties. We understand how difficult this experience may be for a victim and their loved ones. Our skilled team of legal professionals is ready to assert your rights with the vigor that you deserve. Call us at (864) 582-5118 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with a motor vehicle collision attorney.