Liability in a Single-Vehicle Accident

Single-vehicle crashes occur when one car collides with something other than another moving vehicle. Single-vehicle car accidents are surprisingly common. While single-vehicle crashes involve only one vehicle, they are no less dangerous than multi-vehicle car wrecks. Studies show that they are responsible or most of the fatal car accidents in Maryland.

When someone is involved in a single-vehicle crash, there could be several options for dealing with medical expenses and other financial losses. In some cases, it is possible for the driver to make a claim with his or her own insurance company to cover certain expenses.

Passengers in the vehicle may be able to recover damages from the driver’s insurance company if the driver was negligent in causing the car collision. In other cases, the auto accident may be attributed to poor road design or a problem with the vehicle itself, meaning the driver or passengers may be able to make a claim against a third party.

Regardless of the situation, people who have been injured in a single-vehicle wreck should consider getting help from our Baltimore personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt. Fill out an online contact form or call our office to schedule a free no-obligation consultation.

Unsure what to do next after you are injured in a single-vehicle car crash? When your vehicle crashes without a second vehicle involved, you cannot seek compensation from another driver. But you may still have options. Here is more about potentially at-fault parties in a single-vehicle car accident and what to expect as you pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Is a Single-Vehicle Car Accident?

A single-vehicle car crash involves only one truck, car, motorcycle, tractor trailer, bicycle, or any other type of motor vehicle. Here are some examples of single-vehicle car crashes:

• Driving off the roadway due to distracted, drugged, or drunk driving. Also, conditions such as slick roads or poor lighting can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.
• Hitting debris or objects in the road, like fallen trees or branches, rocks, or items that have fallen off other vehicles.
• Driving too fast for the conditions, resulting in a rollover car accident or the vehicle hitting a tree, guardrail, pole, or another item because the driver could not stop in time.
• Hitting an animal in the roadway, such as a deer, dog, or other animal.
• Dealing with a sudden vehicle or equipment failure, like loss of steering, braking problems, or a blown-out tire.
• Encountering issues with the road or its signs, like a broken traffic light or a dangerously deep pothole. Also, visitors to Maryland or inexperienced drivers may not anticipate roadway rules due to their lack of knowledge of the area.
• Avoiding a car collision with another vehicle, like swerving a car to avoid hitting another vehicle that crossed the center line.

You may have grounds for action if you have been injured in any of these car accident types.

Common Causes of a Single-Vehicle Car Collision

Since only one motorist is involved in a single-vehicle car crash, it is easy to assume you did not have grounds to file a personal injury claim. After all, who will you file against?

The answer may be far more complex than you were expecting. Many single-vehicle car accidents are not caused by driver negligence but happen due to an underlying cause. Here are some of the most common reasons single-vehicle accidents occur:

Vehicle Malfunctions

Vehicle malfunctions are one of the top ways single-vehicle car crashes happen. If a motor vehicle part is defective or malfunctioning, it may be difficult or impossible for the driver to avoid a collision. Some of the most common types of vehicle malfunctions include those involving:

• Steering columns
• Seatbelts
• Airbags
• Tires
• Gear shifts
• Gas tanks
• Fuel lines
• Windshields

It is possible the defective parts were part of a recall. Drivers should have been notified of the recalled parts and repaired these parts free of charge at the dealership. If maintenance workers fail to report defective parts to the vehicle owner or knowingly use faulty or recalled parts to save money, they can be held accountable for the victim’s damages.

If a vehicle part was recalled, you can expect the defense to blame you for the car collision for failure to get the car fixed in a reasonable amount of time. However, with the right supporting evidence, your attorney can ensure they are held liable for their negligence and ordered to compensate you for your damages accordingly.

Unsafe Roads

Dangerous road conditions are another one of the most common causes of single-vehicle car wrecks. Car accidents are more likely to occur when drivers cannot avoid road hazards. Some examples of road conditions that could be considered dangerous include:

• Missing traffic signs
• Defective traffic lights
• Lack of sufficient street lighting
• Large potholes
• Improperly secured road construction zones

Generally, the government agencies and municipalities responsible for highway and road maintenance will be held accountable for single-vehicle car accidents caused by hazardous roads. This might include local municipalities in Maryland, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles.

What to Do if You Are Involved in a Single-Vehicle Car Crash

If you are involved in a single-vehicle car crash, it is essential to remain calm and not panic. As soon as you can do so, contact a car accident personal injury lawyer for help. Collect evidence, if possible, while you wait for the local police department and emergency responders to arrive at the accident scene.

• Call 911 right away. Especially if someone is injured. Rescue crews can help injured victims and secure the car accident scene so the single-vehicle car crash does not turn into a multi-vehicle pile-up.
• If possible, move everyone to a safe location off the road. Do not move a person who is severely injured or who may have neck or back injuries unless you must move them to prevent imminent harm or death.
• Use vehicle flashers and other items to warn oncoming traffic. Turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights. Use flashlights or flares if you have them to make the accident scene more visible to oncoming drivers.
• Collect information at the car crash site. Talk to any available witnesses and get their contact information. Take photos or draw a diagram of the accident scene. Write down the basic facts you can remember, such as what happened and what each person was doing at the time of the accident.

After a single-vehicle auto crash, your priority is to seek medical attention. Even if you do not feel injured, see a doctor to verify that you are okay and to receive medical treatment if necessary.

It is crucial that you do not leave the scene of the car crash, even if you were the only party involved. This could devastate your ability to recover the compensation you fully deserve and hold the liable party accountable to the extent of the law.

If your insurance company wants to speak with you about your single-vehicle car accident, we recommend that you speak with one of our personal injury attorneys to see if you have a case. Do not blame yourself or anyone else for the collision, even if you feel strongly that you know who is responsible. Save conversations about who might have been at fault for your attorney.

What to Do if You Are Accused of Sharing Fault for the Single-Vehicle Car Accident

Being involved in a single-vehicle car crash makes you more likely to be accused of causing the collision. Since no other parties are involved in the wreck, it may be difficult to determine the cause of the car accident. Fortunately, when you have a car accident lawyer working for you, we will conduct a thorough investigation.

Not only will we review the damage at the accident scene, but we will carefully evaluate the damage to your vehicle. This will help us determine whether dangerous road conditions, defective vehicle parts, or something else was the proximate cause of your car crash.

Get Help from a Baltimore Single-Vehicle Car Accident Lawyer Today

Single-vehicle car accidents can leave you or someone you love injured. You may struggle to handle work or manage your household. You may worry about how you are going to get your vehicle repaired or replaced. You may fear for your health and your family’s future. If this sounds familiar you are not alone.

Identifying the liable party is essential to recover maximum compensation for your damages when you are involved in a single-vehicle car accident. When you contact an experienced car accident attorney at the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt for a free, no-obligation consultation, learn more about liability and fault in your single-vehicle car accident case.

Schedule yours as soon as today when you fill out our convenient contact form or call our office anytime day or night at 443-844-1528 to take full advantage of this opportunity.