California Single Car Accident Lawyers

Single Car Accident Attorneys in California

What is a single car accident?

A single car accident, sometimes called a single vehicle accident, is exactly what it sounds like: it is an accident that involves only one vehicle. There are any number of ways in which one car can be in an accident without involving other vehicles. In personal injury, claims centered around a single car collision are often brought by passengers against the driver. However, there may be cases where a third-party, not the driver, is at fault. The cause of such an accident is determined on a case-by-case basis. The May Firm has extensive experience in being able to find out what really caused the wreck that left you injured.

Causes of single car accidents

Single vehicle collisions can be caused in a number of ways. A common type of single car accident involves run-off-the-road collisions, which may arise if the driver is speeding or turning too quickly on a wet, slippery roadway and loses control. Other times, a driver may encounter debris in the roadway, such as a large branch or an item that has fallen off the back of a truck. Occasionally, a single car accident may result from something that is not the fault of the driver or a third-party, such as a deer jumping in front of the vehicle; in that case, recovery is likely going to be limited to the limit of the comprehensive coverage plan of your insurance policy.

What determines the severity of a single vehicle accident?

Many different factors, which can often be out of your control, may cause a serious one car accident:

• Ice patches
• Flooded sections of roadway
• Construction zones
• Poorly placed or worn-out signs
• Defective car parts (brakes, air bags, etc.)
• Animals in the roadway
• Pedestrians stepping into oncoming traffic
• The speed that the vehicle is driving at
• The driver’s driving pattern (weaving in and out, speeding around a bend, etc.)

How to handle a single car accident

If you were involved in a single car accident, either as the driver or a passenger, you should get yourself to a safe location and call 911 for help. Car accidents can leave people with serious injuries, including injuries that are not immediately apparent, such as spinal fractures and brain damage. The sooner you can get yourself checked out, the sooner you will know if you have sustained any injuries. Your physical well-being should be your first priority.

Calling for help would also bring a police officer to the scene of the accident. The responding police officer will be able to make a neutral report on the events of the accident to help determine who or what was at fault for the crash. This information can be very important in making a claim with your insurance company or recovering damages from the at-fault party in a personal injury case.

If possible, take photos of your injuries and any damage to your vehicle as soon as possible after the accident occurs. If you can, take photos of your vehicle right where it is after the crash; if doing this would put you in harm’s way, get yourself to safety instead.

Potential liability for a single car accident

The party that is found liable for any injuries or property damage sustained in a single car accident will really depend on the facts surrounding the crash. If you were a passenger in an accident caused by a driver who wasn’t paying attention or driving recklessly, then you may be able to recover damages from the driver. Depending on the specifics of your case (even if you are the driver), a third party could be liable for your injuries. Here are some examples of single car accidents caused by a third party:

• Vehicle manufacturers (if the accident is caused by a defect in the car)
• Pedestrians (who may have stepped out in front of you)
• Bicyclists (who may have decided not to stop at a stop sign or stay in the bike lane)
• Other drivers (if they were driving negligently and caused the crash or failed to secure an object, such as a bike, to their vehicle)
• Local governments (if the roadways were not maintained properly or dangerous conditions were not promptly removed)

When liability is determined, the at-fault party may be required to pay damages to compensate you for your injuries. These damages can include medical costs and compensation for your pain and suffering. If the conduct of the at-fault party is especially outrageous, you may also be awarded punitive damages.

Why The May Firm?

The May Firm has extensive experience in handling car accident cases. The personal injury attorneys at The May Firm know how to best assess the facts of your case to determine what caused the accident, who is liable, and how to best ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. You should worry about your recovery – let us handle the legal stuff.

Disclaimer: Information on this page is designed for general information purposes only and should not be interpreted as being legal advice or a legal opinion on specific facts or circumstances. You should always consult with an attorney before making a decision about your case. Pages are updated periodically but information provided on this page may not be up to date as circumstances may change over time. Please see our [LEGAL DISCLAIMERS] page for additional legal disclaimers.