A car accident does not always necessarily need to involve another driver. Some accidents involve just one car but can produce just as serious injuries and damages, typically at no fault of the driver behind the wheel.
You may also have a claim against the driver of your vehicle if you were a passenger injured by the driver’s negligent actions.
If you were in a single-vehicle accident caused by a negligent driver, road conditions, vehicle malfunctions, or other factors beyond your control, seek legal counsel from an experienced attorney right away. You should not have to file for compensation from your own insurance policy to pay for medical expenses and property damage when the fault was not yours.
At Bert McDowell Injury Law, we understand the challenges of identifying who is responsible, and we know how to file a claim with a high chance of success. We are here to help navigate this process until you receive an appropriate injury settlement.
If you were involved in a single-vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, please call one of our Bridgeport car accident lawyers today at (203) 590-9169 or visit our website to schedule an initial consultation.
Bridgeport Single-vehicle Accident Attorneys Can Help
Single-vehicle accidents pose unique challenges, often caused by a car colliding with objects, departing the roadway, or spinning out on slippery surfaces. Despite the common assumption that every car accident is associated with a driver error, complications beyond the driver’s control may be the actual cause.
Navigating the aftermath of a single-vehicle accident can be complicated, as you are dealing with injuries, property damage, and insurance companies attempting to get to the bottom of who was at fault. Other party’s insurance companies are notorious for pressuring victims to believe they were not responsible for the crash and should not have to pay a claim at all.
However, a seasoned single-vehicle accident attorney knows what they are doing and will proactively take measures to protect the victim from missing out on compensation their case deserves.
A single-vehicle accident attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. They understand the nuances surrounding these types of accidents, how insurance companies tend to behave, and what strategies can help you get the result your case deserves.
You can expect your Bridgeport personal injury attorney to:
- Guide you as you navigate the claims process.
- Review documents, medical bills, and evidence associated with your case
- Building a solid claim and completing all paperwork while meeting all deadlines
- Provide representation throughout your case, from initial consultation to resolution
- Stand up for you if your claim goes to court.
Defining Single-Vehicle Accidents
Unlike other types of crashes, a single-vehicle accident is a collision that involves only one car. This kind of accident usually occurs when a vehicle runs off the road, collides with an obstacle, or loses control in the middle of wet or icy road conditions.
Typically, in these cases, the occupants of the single car involved face injury and other damages, leaving them in question who was responsible and what led to the loss of control.
According to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, single-vehicle accidents made up 20.68% of car accidents between January 2020 and October 2023, totaling 71,919 car accidents. As a type of accident representing over a fifth of all accidents in the State, single-vehicle accidents have serious consequences and happen much more often than one would think.
Common Causes of Single-vehicle Accidents
As an issue representing a fifth of all car accidents in Connecticut, some identified common causes create the hazardous conditions leading to this kind of crash. A single-vehicle accident may occur in multiple ways, which is not always the driver’s fault.
Victims may experience these circumstances that led to a crash:
Road Conditions
Poorly maintained roads, inadequate debris clearing, and lack of proper signage can increase the risk of accidents. Although local authorities work hard to fill every pothole and place appropriate signage throughout a roadway, it is not always done correctly or is neglected with little maintenance.
Weather Conditions
Adverse weather like rain, snow, or ice can make roads slippery, elevating the risk of single-vehicle accidents. Local authorities work before icy conditions are expected to salt roads and prevent skidding.
However, if heavier traffic areas are not prioritized, they may increase the risk of accidents.
Lack of Road Signs
Signs are essential to tell us where to go, but when they are posted incorrectly or sparsely, they create confusion and potential crashes. Local transportation agencies must ensure that road signs adhere to state laws and keep the roads safe.
Construction Zone Hazards
Construction sites can be dangerous for drivers, which is why we typically see a change in speed limits, road patterns, and more. Poorly managed construction zones with insufficient warnings can lead to single-vehicle accidents.
Mechanical Failures
Whether the victim recently took their car to the shop for repair or maintenance, it might be tied to shoddy work when there is a malfunction. There may also have been a defect with the vehicle or its key components. Defective tires may also contribute to mechanical failures, leading to serious injuries, meaning that a manufacturer might be responsible for your crash.
Wildlife
Encounters with wildlife may result in a driver’s immediate maneuvers, causing a car crash or hitting the animal. Deer, opossums, and raccoons are just to name a few.
Results of Single-Vehicle Accidents
As a driver, it is crucial to enter the roadway with your safety in mind. As a local driver, you assume the responsibility to focus on the road and abide by road rules and signs.
Even the slightest mishap, whether the driver is to blame, can result in a significant single-vehicle accident with catastrophic consequences and costly losses.
What Losses Can Single-Vehicle Accidents Incur?
Like many other types of car accidents, a single-vehicle accident may create costly bills and painful injuries. Especially for individuals who have no control over the situation, the sudden financial burden can lead to astronomical strains on one’s ability to work and live their usual lifestyle.
Some of these losses may include:
- Medical Costs — Hospital bills, medication, surgery, and transportation are costly; and it won’t be long before collections begin to call to see how you will pay. Outstanding medical bills can cripple a family from living comfortably, affording their home, and even putting food on their table.
- Lost Wages — If a victim is seriously hurt from a car accident, they may need to take significant time off work to recover. However, not all have paid leave, meaning that they will need to take unpaid time off to resolve their medical needs. In addition, depending on the severity of their injuries, they may need to quit their job altogether because they have too many physical limitations because of their injuries. Some victims lose out on promotion opportunities because of their pain as well.
- Property Damage — Covering expenses such as repairing or replacing damaged vehicles or other property affected in an accident can be costly. Phones, clothes, and other personal items count towards this type of loss.
- Pain and Suffering — Compensation may be available to cover physical and emotional harm caused by accidents. It is important to assess the extent of the damage and seek appropriate support to aid in recovery.
Difficulties of Insurance Coverage and Single-vehicle Accidents
A single-vehicle accident can be a complicated and challenging situation, particularly when it comes to dealing with insurance claims. These incidents often result in property damage, which requires insurance coverage to address the losses.
However, obtaining compensation from insurance companies for single-vehicle accidents can be difficult.
Insurance coverage changes depending on the circumstances of an accident — and insurers are quick to use policy limits to tamp down on how much they pay. Car insurance policies vary in different types of coverage, like collision and liability.
In single-vehicle accidents the type of coverage that will protect you from a single-vehicle accident is called collision and comprehensive coverage.
Collision car insurance applies when the damage is avoidable, such as hitting a fixed object or a stop sign. On the other hand, comprehensive car insurance comes into play when the damage is unforeseeable and unavoidable, such as in collisions with animals.
In single-vehicle accidents, the driver is typically considered at fault unless other reasons exist, such as vehicle defects, road conditions, or encounters with wildlife that caused the accident. However, even in such cases, insurance companies may present challenges when it comes to obtaining compensation.
Insurance companies may place the responsibility on the driver, making it challenging for them to receive compensation. While road conditions might play a role in single-vehicle accidents, insurers may question the circumstances.
If the driver was aware of poor road conditions and failed to adjust their driving accordingly, the insurer might shift the blame back to the driver, making the process of receiving needed compensation harder.
In cases where a defective vehicle manufacturer, property owner, or other third party is allegedly responsible, the injury victim has the burden of proof to demonstrate these parties’ role in their accident.
An insurance adjuster will come out and see the damage and read the reports before assessing the amount of losses in the accident. But know that they are not your friend. Their responsibility is to do what they can to save the insurance company money, and that includes missing certain details that should be considered or downplaying your injuries.
They might downplay the severity of the victim’s injuries, dispute the value of property damage, or argue against the driver’s version of events — even when there weren’t any other witnesses available to dispute their account. These tactics make it difficult for the driver to receive fair compensation.
Hire a Bridgeport Single-vehicle Accident Law Firm to Resolve Your Case
Single-vehicle accidents can have serious consequences and create financial strains for those involved. One should seek advice from a legal team they trust if they find themselves in a single-vehicle accident.
With the right legal team behind you, you will be on track to receive the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and all other damages.
If you were in a single-vehicle accident, call Bert McDowell Injury Law. Our team will offer the legal counsel and support you need to receive the compensation your case deserves. Contact us today at (203) 590-9169 or visit our website to schedule your free case review.
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