The majority of car accidents involve two or more vehicles colliding with each other. However, it’s possible to have an accident which only includes your own car. These accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, you could swerve to avoid an animal that suddenly ran into the road and end up hitting a building or utility pole.
In most cases, the driver in a single car accident is considered to be at fault. However, you may be able to show that you weren’t at fault if the crash was due to another person’s negligence or there was a defect in your vehicle.
Unavoidable Accidents
There are times when the actions of a third party, such as a pedestrian, motorist, or cyclist, can cause a car accident. For example, a cyclist who isn’t paying attention to traffic around then suddenly swerves into your lane. In that scenario, your immediate reaction would be to do anything necessary to avoid the bicycle. Swerving may result in you hitting something, such as a road sign or guardrail.
As the cyclist’s actions have contributed to the accident, they may be held liable for it. Whether this is the case depends on the negligence laws in your state.
Poorly Designed or Maintained Roads
Some single car accidents happen due to potholes in the roadway causing a motorist to lose control of their vehicle or a malfunctioning traffic light leading to a driver swerving out of the way to avoid a collision with another car.
If you can demonstrate that your accident was caused by a road that is poorly designed or maintained, you may be able to shift responsibility to the government entity responsible for their upkeep. As these cases are often quite complex, it’s always a good idea to seek advice from an experienced attorney who will be able to help you file your claim.
Vehicle Defects
Just like any other consumer product, some cars have a variety of manufacturing defects. Problems such as poor alignment or faulty breaks can cause a vehicle to operate abnormally, which could lead to a single car accident. If you can show that a manufacturing defect caused your crash, you could recover damages by filing a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Car accidents of all kinds are scary and unpredictable. Your best course of action after an accident is to seek legal counsel immediately. An attorney can help you fight your legal battle and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
E. Orum Young has over 35 years of car accident law experience. We are dedicated to ensuring the safety of drivers throughout Northeast Louisiana and are eager to help you today. Contact our office at (318) 450-6453 for a free case evaluation. Our phone lines are open 24/7.
