A single-vehicle crash typically refers to an accident that causes damage to only one motor vehicle. This means that even if another car contributed to the crash, but only one motor vehicle was damaged, it is still considered a single-vehicle accident.
Yet, although these accidents may not be as common as other traffic collisions that involve two or more vehicles, these single-vehicle crashes still occur and can often result in catastrophic injuries and significant damages that can forever change a person’s life. Worse yet, disputing fault in these accidents is often a complicated undertaking, which can impact a person’s ability to secure the financial damages they need for the losses and injuries they sustained.
What Exactly does a Single-Vehicle Accident Entail?
As mentioned above, a single-vehicle accident tends to involve only one vehicle, such as a car or truck, that gets into an accident and sustains damages. These types of accidents often arise when:
- A motorist hits an object along the side of the road, such as a guardrail, a tree, or a sign.
- A vehicle rolls over or spins out and slams into an object because the driver lost control of the vehicle or for some other cause.
- The driver swerves to avoid another motor vehicle, animal, pedestrian, road hazard, or something else and runs off the road.
Liability Following a Single-Vehicle Accident
When people think of single-vehicle accidents, they often assume that the driver of the car involved in the crash is the one at fault for the collision. However, in truth, this is not always the case. In fact, there are numerous reasons for these crashes, and many of them have nothing to do with the motorist’s driving abilities or negligent actions.
Take, for instance, the following:
Other Vehicles
If another driver was driving recklessly or negligently, and caused an accident, even if their car did not collide with the other vehicle, they can still be blamed for the accident. A common example of this type of accident is when a motorist cuts off another driver, forcing them off the road. Although the vehicle may not have had any contact with the car that crashed, they can still be at fault for causing the wreck.
Road Defects
A defect on the road, such as a pothole or even construction debris, can cause a motor vehicle to lose control and crash. However, it would not be the driver’s fault that the accident occurred, but rather, the party responsible for the road defect, such as governmental entities in charge of keeping the roads safe.
Motor Vehicle Defects
Another common cause of these accidents is due to motor vehicle defects. For instance, if a car malfunctions and this malfunction results in a single-vehicle accident, the manufacturer of this car can be held liable for any injuries or losses that result from the accident.
However, remember these are only a few examples of some of the more common causes of a single-vehicle crash. In reality, there can be many more. That is why, if you were involved in a single-vehicle crash due to another person’s wrongful actions, make sure you reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you figure out not only if you have a viable claim but also assist you as you fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
Your Legal Options Following a Single-Vehicle Accident
To collect compensation for your injuries and losses following a single-vehicle accident, you first need to show that another person was responsible for your accident. This is because under Nevada’s laws if you were more than 50% to blame for the crash, you may be barred from obtaining compensation for your damages.
However, if you are able to show that another party is to blame for your wreck, you may be able to pursue a third-party claim with the other party’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Types of Damages You Can Pursue in a Single-Vehicle Accident Lawsuit
If you have been harmed in a single-vehicle accident due to another person’s wrongful actions, you may be entitled to certain compensation. In Nevada, this compensation can include both economic and non-economic damages, which include payment for the following losses:
- Medical bills such as hospital stay, doctor visits, surgeries, prescription medications, and other medical expenses
- Future ongoing medical care expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain
- Suffering
- Inconvenience
- Limb loss
- Loss of enjoyment of life
How an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Following a Single-Vehicle Accident
To obtain financial damages after a single-vehicle accident, you need to not only be able to present strong legal arguments but also provide detailed evidence proving your claim. However, after this tragic collision, this is probably the last thing you want to worry about. Thankfully, with an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side, you will not have to worry about taking on this legal battle alone.
Rather, once these attorneys are hired, they can:
- Evaluate your legal claim, determine if you have a viable case, and examine your legal options.
- Investigate your accident and secure the evidence needed to prove what happened and who was at fault.
- Hire experts to validate your claim, including accident reconstructionists.
- Make sure that legal files are prepared correctly and filed with the correct court before time expires.
- Take on all the negotiations with the insurance company and the defense team, and fight for a just settlement offer.
- Head to court if the other side is unwilling to negotiate fairly and go after maximum compensation.
Reach Out to Pacific West Injury Law and Get the Legal Help You Need
If you or a loved one have been harmed in a single-vehicle accident because of another person’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions, do not hesitate to secure the legal help you need. Instead, contact Pacific West Injury Law today for a free case evaluation and let our legal team help you fight for the justice you deserve.
