Single-vehicle accidents are both very common and very dangerous.
According to the National Safety Council, just over half of all fatal crashes involve single motor vehicles. But what is a single-vehicle accident, and if you’re hurt in one, what are your options for financial recovery?
At Kreger Brodish LLP, this is a personal issue for us.
Our paralegal, Carrie, was involved in a single-vehicle accident while on her way to work at our Durham office. A large tree fell directly onto her car, causing some serious damage. Miraculously, she was unharmed.
She captured the incident on her dashcam, which you can see here:
We’re so thankful that she’s okay, and we realized this would be a good opportunity to remind North Carolina drivers about their rights and options in accidents involving a single car.
What should you do if you’re involved in an accident involving falling trees, animals, or roadway debris?
What Is a Single-Vehicle Accident?
Simply put, a single-vehicle accident is a crash that involves only one motor vehicle which either leaves the roadway, rolls over, or strikes a fixed object.
While these collisions don’t involve other vehicles, other parties may share responsibility for a single-car crash, including other individuals, businesses, or government entities.
Common Causes of Single-Vehicle Crashes in Durham, NC
There are many reasons why single-vehicle accidents might happen. While driver error is a typical cause, other factors can also play a role in these crashes.
Some of the most common causes of single-vehicle accidents in Durham include:
- Speeding, which can make curves, sudden stops, and changing road conditions harder to handle
- Distracted or fatigued driving, which can cause a vehicle to leave the roadway
- Weather conditions like rain, ice, or reduced visibility, which can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle
- Road defects like potholes, debris, missing signs, or unsafe road design, which can cause crashes through loss of control, failure to react, or overcorrection
- Vehicle defects like tire, brake, or steering failures, which can lead to sudden loss of control of a vehicle
- Sudden events outside of the driver’s control, like falling trees, animals running onto the road, or other vehicles leaving behind debris
Is the Driver Always Responsible for a Single-Vehicle Accident?
While it’s true that driver error causes most single-vehicle crashes, other parties’ actions or neglect can also cause or contribute to accidents of this type.
For example:
- Another driver could be liable if they negligently left debris behind them (or their employer if a commercial vehicle was involved)
- A government agency could be liable for a dangerous road condition
- A manufacturer may be responsible for a defective tire, brake, or other vehicle part
- A repair shop or maintenance provider could share fault if negligent work contributed to the crash
An experienced North Carolina car accident lawyer can review the evidence to determine what happened and identify all potentially liable parties.
Does Insurance Cover Single-Vehicle Accidents?
As you begin to take stock of your expenses and losses after a crash with only one vehicle, you might wonder, “Does insurance cover single-vehicle accidents?”
Maybe – but the available benefits depend on the insurance coverage and what caused the crash.
If you have collision and medical payments coverage, those policies could cover your vehicle damage and medical bills, respectively. If someone else caused the accident, you may be able to recover compensation through their insurance company’s liability coverage.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help With Single Car Accident Claims?
A skilled car accident lawyer can be your strongest ally after a single-vehicle crash in Durham.
Your attorney can investigate the crash to determine precisely what happened and who was responsible.
If an at-fault party tries to unfairly blame you for the accident and jeopardize your right to financial recovery, your lawyer can push back in pursuit of the compensation you deserve.
At Kreger Brodish LLP, we’re here to help you understand your rights and options following a single car accident.
Whether a tree fell on your vehicle or a deer caused your car accident, you deserve to rest and recover while someone else handles the complex legal work.
Our personal injury law firm can seek recovery on your behalf at no upfront cost to you – and we don’t charge any attorney fees unless we get compensation for you.
Contact us today to arrange a free initial consultation with a Durham car accident lawyer.
