Learn how to prevent a small misstep after a rollover crash in Charlotte from voiding your claim
Rollover crashes are among the leading causes of traffic fatalities in North Carolina and across the U.S., and those who survive are often left with serious injuries that require long-term or even lifelong medical care.
Because our state’s strict negligence law bars accident victims from recovering compensation if they contributed to the accident in any way, it’s crucial to take immediate steps to protect yourself after a crash.
Even admitting to a small mistake can have a major impact on your ability to recover compensation for medical costs, lost income, or the loss of a loved one.
If you or your family has been affected by a rollover crash in North Carolina, the Charlotte car accident attorneys at Wilder Pantazis Law Group are here to help.
With over 85 years of combined experience serving clients across North and South Carolina, our local team knows how to hold negligent drivers accountable and make sure your case gets the attention—and results—it deserves.
What is considered a rollover accident?
A rollover accident happens when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof during a crash. These crashes are especially common with SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans because of their higher center of gravity.
Rollover accidents are often violent and unpredictable, sometimes involving multiple flips or secondary impacts with other vehicles or objects. Even if the vehicle only rolls once, the force can cause serious injuries or death.
Is a rollover crash serious?
Yes. Rollover crashes are among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents. According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), about 6,700 people were killed in rollover crashes in 2023 alone, accounting for roughly 28% of all car accident fatalities in the U.S. that year.
Because rollovers often involve violent motion, crushed roofs, and multiple impacts, survivors frequently suffer severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or internal trauma.
Even when safety features like airbags and seat belts are used, the extreme forces in a rollover can make it difficult for occupants to escape serious harm.
What is the most common reason vehicles flip over?
Most rollover crashes begin with a collision that destabilizes the vehicle and causes it to tip or roll. In 2023, about half of all rollover deaths followed a front or head-on crash, according to the IIHS.
Below are the statistics for fatal rollover crashes in 2023 by impact point:
- Front or head-on crash – 1,330 (50%)
- None – 472 (18%)
- Side or T-bone crash – 399 (15%)
- Other – 329 (12%)
- Rear-end crash – 110 (4%)
However, not every rollover involves another vehicle.
In fact, in 2023, nearly 1 in 4 rollover crashes (23%) happened without any pre-impact, often when a driver overcorrected, took a sharp turn too quickly, or lost control on a curve or uneven road.
Which vehicles are most prone to rollover?
Pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans have a higher risk of being involved in rollover accidents compared to passenger cars. Their taller, heavier design gives them a higher center of gravity, which makes them more likely to tip or flip when a driver swerves suddenly, overcorrects, or hits a curb or soft shoulder.
According to the IIHS, in 2023, rollover crashes accounted for:
- 38% of all occupant deaths in pickups,
- 34% of all occupant deaths in SUVs
- 21% of all occupant deaths in passenger cars
The IIHS also found that while pickups and SUVs tend to be safer in multi-vehicle collisions because of their size and weight, they are far more prone to rollovers in single-vehicle accidents, particularly on rural roads, sharp curves, or uneven terrain.
Who pays for car damage in North Carolina after a rollover accident?
North Carolina is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the damage. This includes vehicle repairs, medical bills (past and future), lost income, lost earning ability, pain and suffering, and more.
However, the state’s contributory negligence rule makes things more complicated than in most other states.
In North Carolina, if you’re found to have contributed to the crash in any way, you can be barred from recovering any compensation, no matter how severe your losses are.
That means even small mistakes—like slightly exceeding the speed limit, glancing at your phone, or failing to signal a lane change—could be used by the insurance company to argue that you share fault.
Because of this strict standard, it’s critical to contact an experienced Charlotte car crash attorney as soon as possible after a rollover accident.
Your attorney can handle all insurance communications for you to prevent you from saying anything that could be twisted into an admission of fault. They can also help you collect evidence to show you weren’t negligent and protect your claim from being undermined.
How do I know if I need a lawyer to help with my rollover crash claim in North Carolina?
Unless your injuries are truly minor—and most rollover crash injuries aren’t—it’s smart to talk with a local North Carolina car crash attorney as soon as possible.
Insurance companies look for ways to deny or reduce claims, and North Carolina’s contributory negligence law gives them an easy out if they can shift even a small amount of blame onto you.
Here’s a checklist to help you decide when to call a Charlotte car accident attorney:
✅ You were hospitalized, required surgery, or need ongoing medical treatment.
✅ Someone was killed or left with a permanent disability.
✅ Your vehicle was totaled or sustained major damage.
✅ The police report or witnesses don’t clearly indicate who was at fault.
✅ You’ve been accused of contributing to the crash in any way.
✅ The other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
✅ You’ve been asked to give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster.
✅ You suspect a manufacturer’s defect or poor road conditions contributed to the crash.
✅ You believe the other driver may have been intoxicated or speeding.
✅ The insurance company is delaying, denying, or downplaying your claim.
✅ You’re feeling pressured to accept a quick settlement offer.
If any of these apply to your situation, it’s always best to seek legal advice before proceeding to ensure your right to compensation is protected.
Were you injured in a rollover crash in Charlotte? Wilder Pantazis Law Group is here for you!
If you or a loved one is facing life-changing injuries, mounting expenses, or an aggressive insurance company determined to limit your payout after a rollover in North Carolina, Wilder Pantazis Law Group is here to help.
Our Charlotte car accident attorneys have more than 85 years of combined experience helping clients throughout North and South Carolina recover the compensation they deserve after accidents that lead to serious injury or death.
Our team knows how to investigate complex crashes, challenge insurance tactics, and build strong cases under North Carolina’s strict negligence laws.
Contact Wilder Pantazis Law Group today for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, help you figure out your options, and fight to protect your financial future.
References
Fatality Facts 2023: Passenger vehicle occupants. (2023). IIHS-HLDI Crash Testing and Highway Safety. https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/fatality-statistics/detail/passenger-vehicle-occupants#driver-death-rates