Tips to Handle a Single Vehicle Accident
You’re driving your car and feeling off. Maybe you’ve been stressed and anxious. Perhaps you just received some bad news over the phone. Or maybe you’re generally overwhelmed by the pandemic and all of life’s changes. Before you know it, you’re wrapped around a light pole. How did you get here? No matter what kind of car accident you’re in, the experience can be scary and confusing. When you’re the only car and driver involved it can also be embarrassing. But the last thing you want to do is pretend like it never happened. You might think because you were the only car involved, that you don’t have to report the accident. But if you damaged property, your own vehicle, or got hurt, you will want to file a claim. Just because you were the only driver, does not mean you are at fault. We look at some common causes and tips to handle a single vehicle accident.
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What is a Single Vehicle Accident?
A single vehicle accident is a crash that only involves your vehicle. For example, you swerve to avoid some debris in the road and you end up crashing into a fire hydrant. If you’re driving a windy road too fast, you could hit a guardrail. Even though you were the only vehicle and driver involved, the accident isn’t necessarily your fault. It is possible to prove the collision was the result of someone else’s negligence. A professional personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the single car accident claims process.
Common Causes of Single Car Accidents
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a top concern for all types of car accidents, including single vehicles. When you are multitasking behind the wheel, you could run off the road into a ditch, road divider, or guardrail.
Slick Road Conditions
Slick roads are dangerous because they can be sneaky. Black ice, or clear ice, is undetected by most drivers. Losing control of your vehicle on the icy surface can cause you to hit a snow bank or tree.
Sun Glare
At dawn and dusk the sun can be blinding. If your windshield is dirty, the glare could be even worse. If you are squinting your eyes because of the glare, you might not see that you’re about to swipe a parked vehicle or run into a curb.
Potholes
Unfortunately, potholes are fairly common. They are a depression in the road surface that can collect water and broken pieces of pavement. Hitting a pothole and damaging your car is considered a single car accident. Even if you feel you are not to blame, most insurance companies will place the driver at fault.
Swerving
Sometimes there is an animal or debris in the middle of the road. Of course, you want to swerve out of their way. However, swerving to miss the animal or object can cause you to hit a ditch or a light pole.
Flying Objects
Objects fallen off a truck, or rocks, or a tree branch, hitting your car are usually considered comprehensive claims.
Vehicle Defects
Sometimes car companies issue recalls. But maybe you didn’t know about the recall and you’re driving with a defective part. This can put you at risk for an accident. In most states you can file a product liability lawsuit. The manufacturer could be held liable to any injuries or damages.
Bad Road Design
It is the government’s job to ensure safe roadways. But sometimes poor road design isn’t reevaluated in time before accidents occur in those areas.
Poor Road Maintenance
It is the city or county’s job to make sure roads and intersections are functioning properly. A malfunctioning stop light, or deep potholes, could cause a single vehicle car accident.
DUI
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is always dangerous. Driving under the influence can slow your reaction time and impair your judgment.
Fatigue
Drowsy or fatigued driving can be dangerous. Your defenses are down and you might not be as aware of what’s happening on the road, putting you at risk for a single car accident.
Speed
Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, speeding is the number one factor in over 25% of fatal accidents each year.
Narrow Lanes or Shoulders
Navigating through narrow lanes can be challenging. If you aren’t careful enough while driving through narrow lanes or shoulders, you could accidentally hit guardrails, a tree, or a stop sign.
Construction Zones
Sometimes construction zones can be tricky to navigate. If you’re trying to avoid a construction area, you might accidentally bump into temporary fencing or debris from the construction site.
Unavoidable Accident
This happens when you are forced to respond quickly and wind up hitting something. For example, a cyclist suddenly pulls out into the road and swerves into your lane. In an effort to avoid hitting the rider, you end up hitting something else like a mailbox or stop sign. The cyclist could be held liable for the accident, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Before we review our tips for avoiding a single vehicle accident, we want to ensure you have the information you need to contact us, in case you’ve been a victim in one of these, or another car accident. Don’t wait: you’ll want to get your case moving forward as soon as possible, so you can have the best chance to receive maximum compensation for your injuries. Call our Las Vegas car accident lawyers now: 702) 857-6000.
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Top Tips to Avoid a Single Vehicle Accident
- Turn your phone off
- Don’t drive in bad weather
- Use a sun visor
- Wear sunglasses
- Keep your windshield clean
- Drive slowly over potholes or avoid altogether
- Don’t drive tired, or pull over to rest
- Follow the speed limit
- Stay up to date on car manufacturer recalls
- Plan out your route to avoid construction sites, poorly designed intersections, or other dangerous roads
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Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one were involved in a single vehicle accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Even if you were the only car involved, the accident might not be your fault. A personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights. Our car accident lawyers can help you determine if other aspects were at play. Our firm is experienced at handling all types of car accidents. These accidents include: large trucks or SUVs, accidents involving motorcyclists and bicyclists, and accidents where there was a driver who was driving under the influence/with an elevated blood alcohol concentration (BAC). But if you were the only driver involved, Anthem Injury Lawyers can help you, too.
Sometimes people are unsure if they need an attorney, or if a car accident attorney can really make a difference in receiving compensation. Car accident attorneys at our firm offer you the best opportunity to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. It’s okay to inform yourself with some data from the Internet. But when it comes to seeking maximum compensation, you’ll want to put your case in the hands of the experts: Anthem Injury Lawyers, serving Las Vegas and its vicinity. Don’t wait to discuss your accident case with us: time is of the essence. You can schedule your appointment with our Las Vegas car accident lawyers today. Call us now for a free case analysis: (702) 857-6000. Our law office is located in Henderson, but we work with clients all over the Las Vegas Valley. As a car accident victim, getting back to health should be your first priority: let our lawyers go to work for you and get you the compensation you deserve. Should you need us to, we can come to you. Contact us today if you’ve been the victim in a car accident in the Las Vegas area.
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