Are You Liable For Your Single Vehicle Accident?

Single vehicle accidents happen for a variety of reasons. The driver may be distracted, sleepy, or intoxicated. A car can crash while avoiding an obstacle in the road, like a loose pet or child’s toy. Whatever the cause of the accident, you’re probably wondering if you’re liable or if someone else is at fault. 

In some cases determining fault is obvious. The driver’s inattention is the underlying cause. Other times, it’s not as easy and this makes managing a single vehicle accident a little more complicated. If you’re involved in a single car collision, here’s what you should know about liability.

How Common Are Single Car Accidents

Single vehicle accidents aren’t uncommon. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates there were around 5,215,071 single vehicle accidents in 2020. Speeding and intoxicated driving are common causes of single car collisions. Tired and distracted driving are other common causes of these types of wrecks.

The weather and road conditions can also be contributing factors, as running off the road or hitting an object is easier than you may think when visibility or road conditions are poor. Another cause of single car accidents is inexperience. 

New drivers can easily lose control of the vehicle, and this is more common in teen drivers, but even getting behind the wheel of a new vehicle can count as inexperience. You may not be familiar with the vehicle's power or handling and this can lead to an accident.

Who’s Liable in a Single Car Accident

As we mentioned earlier, sometimes determining liability is obvious in a single vehicle collision, and this includes intoxicated and distracted driving. Both of these behaviors are also illegal in all 50 states. 

Along with being financially responsible for any damages, you’re probably also facing criminal charges or at the least a traffic ticket. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal offense that can even result in jail time and the temporary loss of your driving privileges.

However, there are times when liability for the accident isn’t as clear. This means you may be able to receive compensation for any injuries and property damage you sustained in the accident. So, when is the driver not responsible for their single car collision?

Obstructions in the Road

You have a reasonable expectation the roads are clear of debris and other obstacles. The only time this doesn’t apply is if there are warning signs warning of possible hazards ahead. A road closure sign is another example. When warning signs are present, you should expect to encounter hazards.

Even though you’re responsible for your safety while driving, others can create hazards placing you at risk, and this can include items falling off of moving vehicles. A bicycle may not be properly secured to the vehicle’s bike rake or a mattress can slide off a delivery truck. These are only a few examples of potential hazards other drivers can create.

Pedestrians and cyclists can also become potentially dangerous obstructions when they aren’t following traffic signals. If they aren’t following basic traffic laws, pedestrians and cyclists may be responsible for your single vehicle accident.

Another Driver is Negligent

Your vehicle may be the only one involved in the wreck but this doesn’t always mean you’re liable for the accident. Another driver’s negligence may be the direct cause of the accident. The other driver may be intoxicated and veer into your lane. Your accident is the result of you swerving to get out of their way. This scenario can also apply if the other driver is distracted, speeding, or falls asleep behind the wheel.

Aggressive driving can be another cause of a single car collision. Missouri has strict laws regarding aggressive driving. If it results in an accident, even a single car collision, it’s considered a class 4 misdemeanor.

Vehicle Failure

Proving you’re not responsible for your single car accident when vehicle failure is a factor isn’t always easy. As the vehicle owner, you’re responsible for maintenance. In other words, it’s your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive.

However, if you’re keeping up with vehicle maintenance and something goes wrong, you may not be liable for any damages. Instead, you turn to the vehicle manufacturer or auto repair shop. 

If the vehicle is brand new and the brakes suddenly fail or there’s a design flaw, the manufacturer may be the responsible party. If you experience a tire blowout shortly after leaving the repair shop, they may be liable for any damages.

When vehicle failure is a factor in a single car collision, be prepared for a lengthy investigation. You should also be ready to provide proof you’re keeping up with vehicle maintenance. If it’s a newly purchased vehicle, you’ll need to show the receipts along with any warranty and maintenance paperwork supplied by the manufacturer and/or dealership.

Poor Road Conditions

In most cases, either the county, state, or municipality is responsible for road maintenance, and this includes filling in any potholes, shoring up roadsides, and ensuring guardrails are present around curves and along steep hills. Street lighting isn’t always a requirement, think of some rural roads, but all intersections must have either a traffic sign or light.

If poor road conditions are to blame for your accident, you can hold the entity responsible for road maintenance liable. Proving negligence in this instance isn’t always easy, as you often need to show the entity is either aware of the hazard and ignored it or isn’t keeping up with overall maintenance. The timeline to file a claim against a government entity is something else to consider. 

Unlike standard personal injury cases against another driver, the statute of limitations is usually shorter when a government entity or municipality is involved. This means you don’t want to wait too long to file a claim for damages.

You May Not Be Liable for Your Single Car Accident

Just because you’re the sole driver in a single-car collision, it doesn’t automatically mean you're liable for the damages. In some cases, external factors could absolve you of responsibility for the wreck. 

To fully understand your legal rights and explore your options after a single-vehicle accident, it's wise to consult with an experienced accident attorney. They can offer personalized advice and help determine the best course of action based on your specific circumstances.