In a typical two-car accident, one driver is to blame and the other is entitled to financial compensation. Of course, in reality, it is a bit more complicated, but this is essentially the baseline scenario. But, what a single-vehicle accident? If you are injured in an accident and there are no other vehicles at the crash site, are you simply responsible for covering the costs of your own injuries?
Not necessarily.
Proving Fault in Single-Vehicle Accidents
In fact, there are a number of different ways that drivers injured in single-vehicle accidents can potentially seek financial compensation. For example:
1. You Were Run Off of the Road By Another Driver
One possible scenario is that, while your vehicle was the only one that crashed, there was actually another vehicle involved in the accident. For example, if you were run off of the road by a drunk driver, or if you were forced to swerve out of the way of someone who was distracted or asleep behind the wheel, the other driver could still be at fault even though there was never a direct collision.
These cases are typically handled the same way as hit-and-run accidents; and, if you believe that someone may have run you off of the road, you owe it to yourself to speak with an attorney to see if you can pursue a claim.
2. You Crashed Because of an Issue with the Road
Another possible scenario is that you crashed because of an issue with the road. Potholes, low shoulders, missing signage, inadequate lighting, and other issues can all present safe drivers with situations in which crashing is unavoidable. Dangerous road conditions are regularly to blame in multi-car and single-vehicle collisions, and drivers injured in these collisions can often seek compensation from government highway agencies or other third-parties.
3. You Crashed Because of an Issue with Your Vehicle
A third possible scenario is that you crashed because of an issue with your vehicle. Vehicle defects (such as faulty tires, brakes, and accelerators) are far more common than most people realize, and negligent repair or maintenance work can lead to accidents as well. If you lost control because of a problem with your vehicle, then the automaker, the dealership, the component manufacturer, your repair shop, and a number of other companies could all potentially be responsible for your losses.
Read more: How do you know who is liable in a car accident?
Single-Vehicle Accident? A Prompt Investigation is Critical
After a single-vehicle accident, conducting a prompt investigation is critical. There are many different ways to establish fault in a single-vehicle collision, but you need to find out what happened before the evidence disappears. Before you foot the bill for someone else’s mistake, ask an attorney to investigate whether you have a claim for compensation.
Who can possibly be liable for your single-vehicle accident? Let’s take a look at six contenders:
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1. Another Driver
The first option is that another driver is to blame (or at least partially to blame) for the accident, even if it did not involve a vehicle-to-vehicle collision. One of the most common scenarios in which this is the case is when one vehicle forces another off of the road. For example, if you had to swerve to avoid a head-on collision, or if someone merged into your lane forcing you onto (and off of) the shoulder, then a negligent driver could be liable for your single-vehicle accident injuries.
2. Your Vehicle’s Manufacturer
The next option is that your vehicle’s manufacturer is liable. This could be the case if a defect caused the accident. If you crashed because your brakes failed, because your vehicle’s steering or accelerator system malfunctioned, or because of a tire blowout, these are all issues that could potentially give you a product defect claim against your vehicle’s manufacturer.
3. Your Repair Shop or Dealership
The third option is that your crash was the result of a faulty repair or maintenance job. Fixing and maintaining modern cars is a difficult job, and mistakes can easily lead to accidents on the road.
4. Another Vehicle Manufacturer or Other Company
If your vehicle could have caused your accident, then another vehicle could have just as easily have caused it as well. For example, maybe you had to leave the road because a truck with faulty brakes was barreling down behind you. Or, maybe the truck driver was asleep, and the trucking company is legally responsible for allowing its drivers to spend too many hours behind the wheel.
5. The Government
If your single-vehicle accident was the result of a problem with the road, then the government agency responsible for constructing and maintaining the road could be liable for your injuries. Low shoulders, potholes and sinkholes, inadequate lighting, and inadequate warnings are all examples of dangerous road conditions that can potentially lead to claims against the government.
6. A Private Contractor
In many cases, government agencies will hire private contractors to build and maintain their roads and highways. If a private contractor was negligent in designing or building a dangerous road and the condition of the road caused your accident, you may have a claim against the private contractor.
Call Me, Brian D. Guralnick, Personally for a Free Consultation
At Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers, we provide experienced legal representation and VIP treatment for individuals injured in Palm Beach County car accidents. To learn more pursuing a claim for compensation after a single-vehicle collision, call me, Brian D. Guralnick, personally at 561-202-6673 for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not intended, and must not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. If you need advice on specific legal issues, please consult with a licensed Personal Injury attorney.
