The cause of most car accidents is a collision with another vehicle. However, it is possible for an accident to involve only one car. When a single vehicle is involved in an accident, it may be possible for the driver to receive benefits through their own insurance provider — but there may be other options for recovering compensation following a single-vehicle car accident.
Car accidents can result from external factors other than the actions of another driver. When single-vehicle car accidents happen, although only one vehicle is involved, it is still possible for others to be held liable for damages.
Vehicle Manufacturer and Mechanic Liability
Mechanical issues are one of the most common causes of single-vehicle car accidents. A flat tire, defective brakes and acceleration, and a broken steering wheel are just some examples of issues that may result in an accident. When this happens, the company that manufactured your vehicle or a mechanic that recently performed repairs could be liable for damages.
In cases of vehicle defects, proof of the defect alone — without any evidence of negligence — is sometimes enough to prove liability. Victims of product defects generally must prove that a part was not working correctly, and that defect caused their injuries. In some cases, a vehicle defect may be the subject of a class action lawsuit.
If issues that are the fault of a mechanic, negligence in repairing your vehicle must be proven. Evidence of a mechanic’s neglect may include proof of service and an account from a vehicle expert.
Property Owner Liability
Another party that could be liable for damages in a single-vehicle car accident case is a property owner or the entity that is responsible for maintaining a road or other property. Parties that are responsible for maintaining roads may include property owners, construction companies, and government offices.
A property owner or the entity responsible for maintaining the road where your accident occurred could be liable for damages if your collision was caused by:
Uneven roadways
Inadequate lighting
Confusing signage
Icy or slippery conditions
Objects that obstruct view
Construction
Poorly planned or constructed roads
In these cases, negligence of the responsible party must be proven by showing that a hazard was present, the owner was aware (or should have been aware) of that hazard, and the owner failed to correct the hazard.
Driver Liability
Although a single car accident may only result in damage to one vehicle and injury to one driver, it is possible that the actions of another driver caused the accident. The injured driver could have been injured in an accident while trying to avoid the reckless actions of another driver, for example. Video footage and accident reconstruction could be used to establish these events and prove the liability of another driver.
At the Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C., our legal team can guide you through your car accident claim. Contact us to discuss the details of your case.
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