Big rig rollovers are among the most devastating truck accidents. They occur when the trailer of a large truck, such as an 18-wheeler or semi-truck, tips over onto its side or roof. Understanding the common causes, the extent of damage and injuries and liability issues is required for victims to obtain proper compensation.

Large truck rollovers can have multiple causes. These are the most common:

1. Improper loading — Poorly secured or unevenly distributed cargo can shift during transit, altering the vehicle's center of gravity and making it unstable. This is most possible during maneuvers like abrupt turning or sudden stops.

2. High speeds — Excessive speed adds to the risk of rollovers, especially in curves and turns where the force can cause the trailer to swing out and tip over.

3. Driver error — Factors such as inexperience, fatigue and distraction can lead to poor decision-making and inadequate responses to road conditions or traffic, affecting vehicle control.

4. Jackknifing — This occurs when the trailer swings out at an acute angle to the cab, resembling an unfolded pocket knife. Jackknifing can be triggered by sudden braking, slippery roads, high speed maneuvers and/or overly heavy or unbalanced cargo. The sudden shift in weight can cause the trailer to tip over.

5. Poor road conditions — Slippery roads, uneven surfaces or unexpected obstacles can necessitate sudden, sharp maneuvers that may lead to a rollover. Inadequate road design and signage can also contribute to these accidents.

6. Mechanical failures — Issues like faulty brakes, tire blowouts or worn out suspension can make a rollover become more likely.

Rollover accidents can cause extensive damage to the truck and its cargo; collateral damage to other vehicles and damage to Infrastructure, such as overpasses, road barriers and buildings close to the roadway. If hazardous materials are being transported, they can spill out during a rollover, posing serious environmental threats and necessitating expensive clean-up operations.

A rollover can also cause serious injury to the occupants of other vehicles. If you or a family member has been injured as the result of a big rig rollover, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses such as pain and suffering. The following parties may be named as defendants in a lawsuit:

• Truck driver — The driver may be held liable if the rollover was due to negligent behavior such as speeding, fatigue or making improper maneuvers.

• Trucking company — The truck’s owner or operator might be responsible if the accident was caused by inadequate driver training, failure to maintain the vehicle or violations of highway regulations.

• Cargo shippers and loaders — Parties responsible for loading the truck might be liable if their actions contributed to the accident.

• Vehicle or parts manufacturers — If a mechanical failure led to the accident, the manufacturer of the vehicle or the part in question could be held accountable.

• Government entities — Local or state government entities might be liable if road design or maintenance issues were contributing factors.

Determining liability in rollover accidents can be complex and requires thorough investigation, careful gathering of evidence and skillful advocacy. An experienced truck accident attorney can be instrumental in bringing about an optimal resolution of your claims.

For people injured in truck accidents in Virginia, the legal team at Pikrallidas & Probasco in Fairfax provides personalized representation and works tirelessly to secure fair compensation. Call us at 703-267-2600 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.