On Friday we covered the rollover accident as it relates to the conditions on Iowa's rural  gravel roads; the specific condition is called washboarding. Afterwards I was asked about the legal issues surrounding the rollover case. Because I'm licensed to practice law in Iowa my specific references are to Iowa law, but they do apply generally to driving in other states.

So let us briefly cover how the law views fault or liability of the driver after there is a rollover and passengers in the SUV are hurt.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRIVER'S DUTIES

All drivers have a duty to maintain control of the car or truck while driving on the public roads. A duty to maintain control isn’t normally being exercised when the car has gotten sideways and rolled the vehicle. Legal issues revolve around speed and lookout will then be analyzed and the law determines if the driver was going too fast, not paying attention, driving drunk or failing to take into consideration ever-changing road conditions, such as washboarding of the road surface, or ice, snow, rain or maintenance issues.

These issues will all be evaluated in the rollover accident cases that are at the end of today's blog. In many accidents the driver won’t be able to make a claim against anyone since it is there own fault that caused the vehicle to roll. In instances where there is another car or truck that caused the accident the driver can pursue a legitimate claim. But in single car accidents with no other fault except speed, control and lookout of the single driver, it is the passengers with the legitimate claim.

PUT DOWN THE CELL PHONE

So buckle up, slow down and maintain your attention on your driving.

See also the following articles.

Boone County Deputy Survives Roll Over Accident - Welcome to KGAN ...
KGAN CBS 2 :: Top Stories - Boone County Deputy Survives Roll Over Accident - BOONE, Iowa AP -- A Boone County sheriff's deputy is very sore after his ...

Driver Hurt In Waterloo Rollover Crash | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids ...
WATERLOO, Iowa - One man is in the hospital following a rollover crash in Waterloo. The accident happened around 10:30 p.m. Monday at Highway 218 and ...

1 hurt in Waterloo accident
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
WATERLOO, Iowa -- Waterloo Police are investigating a single-vehicle rollover accident on Highway 218 and Fletcher Avenue Monday night. ...

In Iowa what's involved with investigating a roll-over accident?
Do you need to know how to investigate your rollover accident? Or do you need a lawyer that knows what to do? Call Steve Lombardi, 515-222-1110 or ...

Two killed in rollover accident » Local News » The Clinton Herald ...
According to the Iowa State Patrol accident report, Tanner J. Schreibe, 20, ... Two killed in rollover accident. A Saturday morning accident left two people ...

One injured in rollover crash near Van Horne | TheGazette
Early-morning frost is blamed for a rollover accident Tuesday along Highway 218 that sent one man to the hospital. Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Dave Willis.

One Person Airlifted After Rollover Accident Along Highway 218
KCRG
By Jeff Raasch, Reporter By Aaron Hepker VAN HORNE, Iowa – Early-morning frost is blamed for a rollover accident Tuesday along Highway 218 that sent one man ...

One airlifted after rollover along Hwy. 218
Eastern Iowa News Now
Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Dave Willis takes a picture of a sport-utility ... frost is blamed for a rollover accident Tuesday along Highway 218 that sent one ...

One airlifted after rollover along Hwy. 218
Eastern Iowa News Now
Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Dave Willis takes a picture of a sport-utility ... frost is blamed for a rollover accident Tuesday along Highway 218 that sent one ...

Police investigate rollover on Downing Ave. in Waterloo
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
(JEFF REINITZ / Courier Staff Writer) WATERLOO, Iowa --- Waterloo police this morning were on the scene of a rollover accident at Downing Avenue and ...

4 injured in rollover accident Friday
Journal-Advocate
According to the accident report, Alphonso Johnson, 54, of Davenport, Iowa, fell asleep at the wheel while driving a 2006 Ford E250 pulling a trailer ...

UNI student dies in early morning crash - KWWL.com - News ...
MARSHALL COUNTY (KWWL, WHO)-- A student from the University of Northern Iowa has died, after a rollover crash on her way back to school. ...

Rowan man dies days after pickup rollover accident
Mason City Globe Gazette
The accident is also now listed as a fatality on the Iowa State Patrol's accident report. According to the report Holmes was northbound on Balsam Avenue, ...

KGAN CBS 2 :: Top Stories - UNI Student Killed In Rollover Crash ...
KGAN - CBS 2 Top Stories - UNI Student Killed In Rollover Crash In Marshall County. Share. MARSHALL CO, IA. (KGAN) -- The Marshall County Sheriff's Office ...

KFXA FOX 28 :: Top Stories - UNI Student Killed in Rollover Crash
Iowa Winery Excited about American Wine Outselling French in 2010 · UNI Student Killed In Rollover Crash In Marshall County ...

One dead in roll-over accident - glurb.com (a.k.a. HeyIowa.com ...
A woman is dead following a single roll-over accident around 7 a.m. this morning . The accident took place at the intersection of Durham Avenue and Highway ...

Rollover Accident Kills Carlisle Woman - WHO
A University of Northern Iowa student from Carlisle was killed Friday morning in a one-vehicle rollover accident.

ANITA MAN INJURED IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT - 96.5 KSOM Audubon ...
The Southwest Iowa Home, Garden and Business Expo is back April 8th and 9th. ... ANITA MAN INJURED IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. (ATLANTIC) An Anita man was sent to ...

Rollover Crash Hurts Three People, Including Teen - Topix
Mills County, IA A rollover crash in southwest Iowa sent three people to the hospital on Monday night. Share. Post. Leave a Comment ...

Franklin County rollover accident sends man to hospital
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Franklin General emergency crews at the accident scene.

Three injured in Hinton rollover accident
HINTON, IOWA -- A Kingsley, Iowa, man was taken to Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City with ... injuries following a Friday morning rollover accident in Hinton, ...

Rollover accident in Fayette County | Eastern Iowa News Now
On 2/28/2011 at 8:00 A.M. the Fayette County Sheriff's office took a 911 report of a one vehicle roll over accident at H Ave and Hwy 18 just east of West ...

Medical condition may have led to Marion rollover crash | TheGazette
Medical condition may have led to Marion rollover crash ... Pothole tracker. Warn other drivers about the worst potholes in Eastern Iowa. ...