A single-car accident describes an accident only involving your own car. As you are the only driver involved, you might assume that you’re the only one at fault and must cover your own accident-related costs.
However, you might be surprised to learn there are situations in which the driver in a single-car accident isn’t to blame for the accident. Here are just a few scenarios in which this can be possible.
Your Vehicle Has Manufacturing Defects
We expect our vehicles to function in a certain way, but that’s not always the case. Millions of cars are recalled each year for a range of issues that might lead to serious accidents. For example, Ford recalled 21 million vehicles in 1981 for a faulty powertrain. This powertrain caused cars to slip out of the park position and roll away, resulting in thousands of accidents.
You might be in control of your vehicle, but that doesn’t mean you’re always responsible for the accidents it’s involved in. Talk to an experienced personal lawyer about your eligibility to file a product liability lawsuit. By doing so, you might be able to recover damages related to your accident.
There’s a Fault With a Road
We pay taxes and expect our roads to be maintained to the highest standards. However, not all roads are perfect, and they can be a contributing factor in many accidents. If you believe a pothole, faded marking, a lack of signage, or even malfunctioning traffic lights caused your accident, talk to a personal injury lawyer. They might be able to help you sue your city, county, or the responsible government entity to cover your resultant damages.
You Had to Take Evasive Action
You might have crashed your vehicle in a single-car accident, but that doesn’t mean no one else was involved. Someone might have run out of the road in front of you, and you had to swerve into another obstacle to avoid hitting them. You might have even encountered another driver creeping into your lane and had to crash into the ditch to avoid hitting them.
Those parties might be responsible for your single-car accident in these situations and others. Depending on the negligence laws, you might be able to file a lawsuit to obtain damages.
You Hit a Farmer’s Livestock
While not accurate in all situations and states, there’s potential for you not to take full blame for an accident involving a farmer’s livestock. If you hit an animal belonging to a local farmer, be sure to take photos of any broken fences that might have caused that animal to escape.
Your right to potential damages can depend on the type of road it is, the owner’s requirements to have secure fencing, and whether fences have been adequately maintained. Talk to your local personal injury lawyer to see if you might be able to seek compensation.
What To Do After a Single-Car Accident
Being involved in any accident can be overwhelming enough, but a single-vehicle accident can be even scarier when no one’s around to help. Here are some of the actions you might like to take if you’re confident you’re not to blame.
- Report the accident to your car insurance provider
- Get witness information if any saw the accident
- Take pictures of evidence, such as a pothole that caused your accident
- Report any road problems to the government authority in charge of them
- Get your vehicle checked if you believe a defect is to blame
- Contact a lawyer to help you put together a strong case that places blame with the right party
Contact J.Alexander Law Today
You might be the only driver involved in a car accident, but you might not be to blame. If you’ve been involved in a single-vehicle accident, contact our expert personal injury lawyer today to learn about your rights and responsibilities.