The road can be a dangerous place even when other drivers aren’t involved. Road conditions, an improperly configured highway work zone, faulty auto parts, or an unsafe vehicle design, can lead to a single vehicle car accident. Even the most cautious driver might be unable to avoid a serious crash when something unexpected happens.
At Sam & Ash, we know that single vehicle accidents aren’t always the driver’s fault. You may still have some legal options to seek compensation even if another driver was not to blame. We believe that you deserve clear answers and a strong advocate. That means having a lawyer who you can talk with on a first-name basis, who is available 24/7, and who will always seek What’s Right for you.
The Las Vegas car crash attorneys at Sam & Ash are here to help. Our attorneys are ready to answer your questions and let you know how we can help. We know from experience that attorneys who genuinely care get better results. Give us a call today or reach out to us online for your free, no-obligation consultation.
What Is a Single Vehicle Accident?
In many situations, the driver of a car involved in a single vehicle accident will be found to be at fault. Even so, you may still have the option of filing a claim against your insurance and recouping your losses if you have certain coverages as part of your auto insurance policy.
- Medical payments coverage pays for immediate medical expenses for you and passengers injured in your vehicle up to the limits of the policy, regardless of who was at fault. It’s optional coverage.
- Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by contact with another object such as a tree, a guardrail, a deer in the road, a pedestrian, or another vehicle. Collision coverage helps you pay for your losses if you are at fault in a single car accident. It’s an optional coverage that many vehicle owners have.
There also may be other causes for a single vehicle accident. They include:
- Objects in the road. An object on the road can lead to a serious accident. Objects may fall from trucks and other vehicles, creating a traffic hazard. You may swerve off the road to avoid the object that you encounter and be involved in a single car accident. If an investigation can identify who was hauling the object that fell into the road, you may have a right to file a claim against that driver’s insurance after a single car accident.
- Road conditions. Dangerous conditions such as uneven pavement, unrepaired potholes, and improperly design road construction zones can cause single vehicle accidents. If that happens, you may be able to hold the government agency responsible for the road maintenance or a road contractor responsible for your single vehicle accident.
- Faulty vehicles and parts. Tires, brakes, and many other car parts can have manufacturing defects that make them unsafe. A defective component can cause a driver to lose control and wind up in an accident. You may be entitled to file a product liability lawsuit and hold the car manufacturer or the maker of the defective auto part responsible for your single vehicle accident.
- Other drivers. Sometimes single vehicle accidents actually do happen because of other drivers — particularly drivers who are intoxicated or distracted. For example, if another driver suddenly merges into your lane with checking whether the lane is open, you might swerve to avoid a collision and subsequently leave the roadway and hit a guardrail or another fixed object on the roadside. Even though you never came into contact with the other vehicle, the other driver may still be responsible for any injuries you suffered as a result of the crash.
Single Vehicle Accident: What To Do After the Accident
The days and weeks after a serious car accident can be overwhelming. You might be facing a stay in the hospital, time out of work, and an uncertain future.
Steps you can take after the accident include:
- Report the accident to Las Vegas police if you have been injured or have significant vehicle damage. A police accident report can be helpful in establishing the facts of the accident and its liability.
- Get in touch with an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer. Talking with a caring professional at Sam & Ash can help you understand your legal options and the steps you can take to improve your chances of securing a financial recovery.
- Collect copies of your medical records. As part of an accident claim, you’ll need to show how the accident harmed you physically and financially. Your medical records will show your injuries and the medical expenses that you have incurred.
- Keep records related to your work. Your accident losses include any loss of income due to the injuries you sustained and work you missed.
- Stay off social media. Social media isn’t the right place to share information about the accident or your injuries. Comments or photos that you post on social media may be used by insurance companies and their lawyers to deny or minimize your injury claim.
- Follow through on the medical treatment. Keep your follow-up medical appointments. Skipping appointments can lead to problems down the line. Get the care your doctors recommend.
When Is a Driver Liable for a Single Vehicle Accident?
A driver may be liable for a single vehicle accident when his or her actions directly contributed to the crash. For example, if a driver is talking on a cellphone and goes off the road because of inattention, the driver would typically be liable for the accident. However, as mentioned above, the driver’s insurance policies—such as collision insurance or personal injury protection—may cover the accident, after deductibles are paid.
When Is a Driver Not Liable for a Single Vehicle Accident?
A driver may not be liable for a single car accident if someone else’s actions caused it. For example, if the accident was the result of a brake failure, then the brake manufacturer or a repair shop may be at fault.
Any time someone else’s negligence causes a car accident, that individual or business may be held legally liable.
Can You Receive Compensation in a Single Vehicle Car Accident?
You may be entitled to seek compensation after a single vehicle car accident, depending on the facts of the accident and the types of insurance coverage you have.
If someone else was partially at fault, you may seek compensation for:
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. You can seek compensation for property losses as part of your claim.
- Your medical costs now and in the future. Medical care can be expensive. An accident claim can help you recover the money necessary to pay for these expenses.
- Lost wages and income. Injuries can prevent you from earning a living. If you’ve been in an accident, you may need to seek compensation for the time you’re healing and out of work.
- Pain and suffering. Accidents can cause both immediate and lasting emotional and psychological harm for victims. You deserve to be compensated financially for the pain and suffering you have endured as the result of someone else’s negligence.
Compensable Single Vehicle Accidents
Many drivers involved in single vehicle accidents assume they can’t seek compensation. But the fact is that, in many cases, compensation may be available.
Some types of compensable accidents include:
- Collisions caused by objects in the roadway
- Rollover accidents caused by unsafe car designs
- Accidents caused by defective vehicle parts
- Accidents resulting from collisions with unmarked obstructions
Common Causes of Single Vehicle Car Accidents
There are many causes for single vehicle car accidents including factors such as speeding, age, and alcohol use by drivers. Other factors can play a role too. Mechanical failures, road obstructions, and unmarked hazards may result in single vehicle accidents.
Types of Injuries in Single Vehicle Accidents
Single vehicle accidents can cause serious injuries. Those involved could be facing:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Bruising
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Cuts and lacerations
- Loss of limbs
What Are the Three Collisions in a Single Vehicle Crash?
A single vehicle collision is actually made up of three separate conditions, specifically:
The vehicle collision.
This happens as the car or truck hits an object. The vehicle absorbs a significant amount of the impact of the crash. Any amount that is not absorbed by the vehicle may be transferred to the driver and passengers.
The human collision.
As the initial collision brings the vehicle to a stop, the driver will strike the shoulder restraints and airbags or the dashboard or hard surfaces of the vehicle if the driver is not wearing a seat belt.
The internal collision.
A vehicle occupant may be restrained by seatbelts and saved from some injuries by airbags. But the individual may still suffer injuries from the violent impact of the crash. This could cause brain injuries or other internal injuries.
How Do Single Vehicle Crashes Happen?
Single vehicle crashes can happen at any time. While many occur because of driver errors, others happen because of outside factors such as sudden maneuvers by other drivers, mechanical failures, and poorly maintained roadways.
If you’ve been injured in a single vehicle accident in Clark County, don’t assume you have nowhere to turn for help. Contact a caring Las Vegas car accident lawyer at Sam & Ash today. It costs you absolutely nothing upfront – we only get paid when you do.
We’ve helped thousands of clients see full and fair compensation after serious accidents. We want to help you too. Give us a call or reach out online now for your free consultation.
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