What To Do After A Single Vehicle Car Accident

When you think of a car accident, you probably imagine two cars crashed on the road. However, single-car accidents are very common. A single-car accident involves only one vehicle that has either collided with an inanimate object or has been run off of the road. Although there is only one car involved, these accidents can be very dangerous. We receive many inquiries regarding whether or not a person can collect on a single-vehicle accident, so we figured it was worth dedicating a post to.

Can you be sued in a single-vehicle car accident?

When asking whether or not you can be sued, you need to take into account the facts of the accident. Let’s say, for instance, your vehicle veered off of the road and collided with a city structure or fencing to a home. In this case, you do run the risk of falling victim to legal action provided you are found liable for the crash. The keyword here is “liable.” There are many cases where the driver of a single-vehicle accident is not found at fault. For help with your accident case, contact a Las Vegas car accident attorney for a free consultation.

Related: Common Types of Car Accidents

Understanding liability in a single-vehicle car accident

Many people assume that the driver in a single-vehicle collision is automatically at fault for the accident. If the accident was caused by driver error, this is an accurate assumption. However, there are many times where the driver is not liable. These instances include:

Road Obstructions. An obstruction on the road could cause a driver to lose control of their automobile and crash. Common obstructions include potholes, unmarked construction zones, roadway debris from work trucks or moving trucks, roadway debris from weather conditions, and so on.

Avoiding Another Vehicle. Let’s say, for example, you’re traveling on the freeway at the posted speed limit. You are approaching a car in the same lane–ahead of you–who is stopped for no apparent reason. You have to swerve to miss this vehicle and end up hitting and damaging the median. In this case, the vehicle that was stopped could be to blame for the wreck.

Structural Defects. Overpasses, guardrails, traffic signs, etc… are structures that have been developed and erected to keep drivers safe. If any of the structures are defective, however, then they can collapse and injure a driver.

Automobile Defects. This is a category that is worthy of its own page. Automobiles can be manufactured with defects and cause harm to drivers. If you have experienced an automobile defect injury, please contact our law firm immediately at (702) 800-0988.

Above are only a few of the common reasons why a person could be involved in a single-vehicle accident. The list goes on and on! At The Injury Firm, a Las Vegas car accident attorney will help you identify the true cause of your accident and we can begin structuring a favorable injury claim immediately.

Do I have to report a single-vehicle accident?

NRS 484E.020 and 484E.040, specifically, impose a duty on a motorist to stop their vehicle immediately after damaging someone’s property. This rule applies even if the damaged property is left unattended. The driver must leave their name and address in a visible location so the owner may contact them and initiate an insurance claim.

*There are serious legal ramifications if you leave the accident scene without providing this information.* 

See: What Happens If You Flee The Scene of An Accident?

NRS 484E.050 also mandates that the driver provide “immediate” notice to local authorities of the accident that damaged someone’s property.

Were you injured in a single-vehicle car accident?

Drivers who are injured in single-vehicle car accidents retain the same rights as drivers who were hit by another car. If you have been injured in a single-vehicle accident that was not your fault, please contact our law firm immediately for a free, no-obligation case review. Even if we cannot help you, we will point you in the best direction for your specific needs.

Contact a Las Vegas car accident lawyer at our injury firm today. Thank you for reading, and stay safe!

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