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Can I Recover Money in a Single-Vehicle Accident? 7 Causes That may Affect Your Claim

March 31, 2023

Can I Recover Money in a Single-Vehicle Accident? 7 Causes That may Affect Your Claim

Car crashed into a pole in what may have been a single-vehicle accident

In 2020, there were 424 fatal crashes involving a single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles county, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Usually, we think of car accidents as involving two or more vehicles. However, a single-vehicle accident can occur when one automobile is the only car involved in a crash.

Even if you are the only car in a crash, you may still be eligible to recover compensation. Much will depend on the cause of the accident. 

There are multiple potential causes of a single-vehicle accident, including:

  • Unsafe road conditions –  lack of road maintenance can lead to potholes or cracks in the road. It’s not uncommon for a driver to hit a pothole at a high rate of speed and lose control of their vehicle.
  • Automobile defects – cars are not always built perfectly, and parts can come defected or over time. Bad brakes that need to get changed, or an ineffective airbag, can disrupt a driver.
  • Sudden swerving – imagine driving at a higher speed when an animal, or even a person, suddenly runs across the road. You may swerve to avoid hitting them, which could lead to a car crash.
  • Flying objects – similar to swerving from pedestrians, you may try moving out of the way of other objects, such as debris from a truck.
  • Drunk driving – About 30 percent of all fatal car accidents involved a Blood Alcohol Content level of .08 or higher.  Driving under the influence of alcohol can greatly impair a driver’s vision, setting up the disaster of crashing their own automobile. 
  • Distracted driving – while the number of drivers using handheld devices has decreased over the last ten years, it doesn’t take away the fact that driving while distracted by a phone is still extremely dangerous. Other forms of distracted driving can include personal grooming or eating.
  • Drowsy driving – the Centers for Disease Control recommends adults 18 and older get at least seven hours of sleep per night. Driving while drowsy or fatigued poses a danger to drivers who risk falling asleep behind the wheel and losing control of their car. 

Each of these situations can greatly affect how to determine if you are eligible for compensation after a single-vehicle accident.  

A key factor depends on if you were injured. You can’t file a personal injury claim without an actual injury. 

Next, it’s important to figure out the cause of the accident. This can bear a great weight on your case. 

Car slammed into pole - maybe a single-vehicle accident

Think about a situation where Jeremy is driving on the 210 behind a pickup-truck with poorly secured items in its bed. One of the objects comes loose and flies onto the freeway, Jeremy veers his car away from the debris and slams into a wall. 

While it still may be difficult to prove without certain evidence, like the other driver’s information, Jeremy may still be able to seek compensation for his damages.

Now, let’s say Jeremy has a few drinks one night and still gets behind the wheel to get home. On his way, he loses control of the car and crashes into a streetlight.

Jeremy can still try to file a claim, but it would be more difficult given the fact that he was driving drunk when the single-vehicle accident took place.

If you find yourself in a single-vehicle accident, some helpful tips include:

  • Get to safety:  It can be tough to stay calm in such a stressful situation, especially if you are all alone. Make sure you are clear of any present dangers, like oncoming traffic. 
  • Call 911:  Dial 911 and get the police to your scene as soon as possible. The police will create a report, so be prepared to give your details of what happened.
  • Gather information: Document the accident scene, including photos, videos, and notes of what happened. For example, if you hit a pothole, take photos of it with your phone.
  • Contact a Lawyer: You should contact a lawyer as soon as you can if you were injured in a single-vehicle accident. 

At C&B Law Group, our Burbank car accident attorneys can help you with your case. We will gather information from you about the accident, present you with your options, and answer any questions that you may have regarding the  single-vehicle accident you’ve been a part of.

We have an immense track record of successfully settling 99 percent of our personal injury cases. With clients all over Los Angeles and Southern California, our goal is to bring you justice and fair compensation. 

Your first consultation with our group is free.  Contact us today to learn more!

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