Can I Recover Compensation After a Single-Car Accident?

 Posted on June 12, 2023 in Car Accident

When more than one car is involved in a crash, it is often fairly clear who is liable to who. One driver ran a red light, or decided to send a text message, and crashed into another driver who was driving responsibly. The careless or law-breaking driver is liable to the driver who got hit. In a single-car accident, recovering compensation can be a bit trickier because first, you will have to prove that someone else was responsible. This does not mean you cannot recover after getting into a single-car accident. There are other parties who may potentially be liable depending on the circumstances. Proving that another party is liable for your injuries when no one else actually crashed may be difficult, but it can be done. 

If you got hurt in a car accident where yours was the only vehicle that crashed, you will need a skilled attorney to evaluate your case and determine whether you can pursue compensation from a third party. 

Who Could Potentially be Liable for a Single-Car Crash?

The answer to this question is very fact-specific. It depends entirely on the circumstances and the specific cause of your accident. Parties who could potentially be liable to you may include: 

• The city or state - If you encountered a sudden and unavoidable obstacle like a very sharp turn with zero warning, a fallen tree, or an unusually large pothole, the government agency charged with maintaining the road could be liable. 

• Your mechanic - If you recently had your car repaired and the crash had something to do with a part that was just worked on, your mechanic is one of the first parties your lawyer is going to investigate. For example, if you just got your brakes replaced and they failed, the mechanic might have made a careless mistake. 

• Another driver - It is entirely possible for another driver to have caused your accident without actually physically hitting your vehicle. This is common in road rage incidents, where one driver intentionally runs another off the road. Another example would be if you had to swerve off the road to dodge someone going the wrong way. 

• Manufacturer - If an abrupt mechanical failure–including a tire blowout–caused your accident, your attorney might want to look further into what went wrong. If some component of your vehicle was dangerously designed or manufactured, the company responsible for making that part could be liable. 

• Passenger - You were being a good, responsible designated driver when your drunk passenger abruptly grabbed the wheel or shifted gears, causing you to crash. This happens more frequently than you might think, and it almost always involves an intoxicated passenger. In this event, your passenger might be liable for your injuries. 

An attorney will be able to help you determine whether any of these parties might be responsible for compensating you. 

Call a Collin County Car Accident Lawyer

If you got into a single-car accident that was not your fault, Burress Law PLLC may be able to help you recover compensation. Our skilled Allen car accident attorneys will conduct an investigation to determine whether another party could be liable. Call 214-726-0016 for a free consultation. 

Sources: 

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2018/11/22/carrollton-man-21-killed-in-north-dallas-crash-after-grabbing-steering-wheel-from-driver-police-say/

https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/outreach/back-to-school/dashcam-video-shows-drunken-passenger-trying-to-grab-uber-drivers-wheel/527-113786e4-c9ec-44c8-ba61-5bc7b16e5010