When most people think of car accidents, they imagine collisions between multiple vehicles. However, single-vehicle accidents—where only one car is involved—are surprisingly common and can be just as serious. At Buckhead Law Saxton Injury & Accident Lawyers P.C., our car accident lawyerhave represented many clients who were injured in single-vehicle accidents that weren’t entirely their fault. Understanding who may be liable in these situations can significantly impact your ability to recover damages and move forward.
What is a Single-Vehicle Accident?
Many drivers are unfamiliar with how single-vehicle accidents are classified and the various scenarios they encompass. Understanding what constitutes this type of accident can help you recognize when you might have a valid claim.
A single-vehicle accident is any crash that involves just one vehicle.
These accidents can take many forms, including:
Running off the road
Hitting a fixed object (tree, utility pole, guardrail, etc.)
Rollover accidents
Collision with animals
Accidents caused by swerving to avoid hazards
Vehicle overturns due to weather conditions
While these accidents only involve one vehicle, that doesn’t automatically mean the driver bears full responsibility. Various factors can contribute to single-vehicle accidents, and third parties may share liability in many cases.
Why Do Single-Vehicle Accidents Occur?
Single-vehicle accidents occur for many reasons, from distracted driving and speeding, to poor road conditions and vehicle malfunctions.
Distracted Driving: Using a phone, adjusting entertainment systems, eating, or any activity that diverts attention from the road can lead to single-vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in a recent year.
Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the likelihood of losing control of a vehicle, especially when navigating curves or encountering sudden obstacles. Speed-related crashes account for approximately 29% of all fatal accidents.
Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. In Georgia, DUI is a serious offense that can result in criminal charges in addition to civil liability for damages caused.
Poor Road Conditions: Roadway defects and maintenance issues can cause even the most careful drivers to lose control of their vehicles. These conditions often implicate government entities or contractors responsible for road maintenance.
Potholes: Severe potholes can cause drivers to lose control or damage vehicles, leading to accidents. Deep potholes may cause tire blowouts or suspension damage that results in a crash.
Lack of Signage: Missing or inadequate warning signs about sharp curves, construction zones, or other hazards can leave drivers unprepared for dangerous conditions ahead. Government entities responsible for road maintenance and signage may be liable in these situations.
Brake Failure: When braking systems fail unexpectedly, drivers may be unable to slow or stop their vehicles, resulting in crashes. This can be due to manufacturing defects or improper maintenance.
Steering Issues: Problems with power steering or other steering components can make it difficult or impossible to control a vehicle, especially at higher speeds.
Tire Blowouts: Sudden tire failures can cause drivers to lose control. These may result from manufacturing defects, road hazards, or improper maintenance.
Who is Liable in a Single-Vehicle Accident?
Determining liability in single-vehicle accidents is rarely straightforward. Multiple parties may bear responsibility, and identifying all potentially liable parties is essential for maximizing your compensation.
Driver Liability
The driver’s role in causing the accident is always scrutinized, but the degree of responsibility can vary significantly depending on their actions and other contributing factors.
Negligence
In many single-vehicle accidents, the driver may be found negligent if they failed to exercise reasonable care while operating their vehicle. Negligence represents a failure to act with the level of caution that a reasonable person would exercise under similar circumstances.
Examples include:
Texting while driving
Failing to adjust speed for weather conditions
Ignoring traffic signs or signals
Driving while fatigued
Recklessness
Reckless behavior represents a more serious deviation from the standard of care than simple negligence. It involves conscious disregard for known risks and typically carries more severe legal consequences.
Examples include:
Excessive speeding (20+ mph over the limit)
Street racing
Driving while severely intoxicated
Deliberately ignoring traffic safety laws
Third-Party Liability
Many single-vehicle accidents involve responsibility from parties other than the driver. Identifying these third parties is often key to securing full compensation for your injuries.
Manufacturers for Malfunctions
Vehicle and component manufacturers have a legal duty to produce safe products. When these products fail due to defects, the manufacturers may be held responsible under product liability laws.
Common examples include:
Defective tires that blow out despite proper maintenance
Faulty brake components that fail unexpectedly
Steering system defects that cause loss of control
Accelerator pedals that stick or malfunction
Manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are safe when used as intended. When they fail in this duty, they may be responsible for resulting accidents and injuries.
Government Bodies for Road Conditions
Public entities responsible for road maintenance and design can be held liable when dangerous road conditions cause accidents. These claims involve special legal considerations and strict filing deadlines.
State and local governments have a duty to maintain reasonably safe roadways. When they fail in this duty, they may be liable for accidents caused by:
Unrepaired potholes that have been reported
Missing guardrails in dangerous areas
Inadequate warning signs before hazardous road features
Improper road design leading to water pooling or other hazards
It’s important to note that claims against government entities often involve special procedures and shorter deadlines than typical personal injury claims. In Georgia, you generally must file a formal notice of claim within 12 months.
How is Liability Determined?
Determining liability in single-vehicle accidents requires a thorough investigation and analysis of various sources of evidence.
Police Reports
Official accident reports serve as the foundation for liability investigations. They include key details like:
Vehicle position and damage
Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
Weather and signs of impairment
These observations provide insights into the accident’s cause.
Witness Statements
Eyewitnesses and passengers provide valuable, unbiased perspectives:
Eyewitness Accounts: Independent observers can describe the vehicle’s speed, movement, or any hazards that contributed to the crash.
Passenger Testimonies: Passengers may share insights into the driver’s behavior, mechanical issues, or warnings before the crash.
Both Types of Testimony Help Clarify the Circumstances Surrounding the Accident
Accident Diagrams
Many police reports include diagrams illustrating the accident scene. These visual aids help reconstruct the sequence of events, revealing details that may not be clear from written reports.
Expert Analysis
Professional evaluations can uncover hidden causes:
Accident Reconstruction Experts: These specialists use scientific principles to assess vehicle speed, braking patterns, and physical forces to determine how the accident happened.
Mechanical Failure Experts: Engineers identify vehicle malfunctions, whether caused by defects or maintenance issues, and link these failures to the accident.
What to Do After a Single-Vehicle Accident
The steps you take right after a single-vehicle accident can impact both your recovery and legal rights. Follow these actions to protect yourself:
Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location, away from traffic, if possible.
Call 911: Report the accident, especially if there are injuries or significant damage.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor—some injuries may not show up right away.
Document Everything: Take photos of:
The accident scene from various angles
Road conditions and hazards
Vehicle damage and visible injuries
Relevant road signs or missing signs
Gather Witness Information: Get contact details from anyone who saw the accident.
Preserve Evidence: Don’t repair your vehicle until it’s inspected. The vehicle may provide key evidence.
Report to Insurance: Share the facts but avoid admitting fault.
Keep Records: Save all medical bills, repair estimates, and documentation of missed work.
These steps help ensure your health and preserve crucial evidence for your case.
Dealing with Insurance Claims
Insurance companies typically assume driver fault in single-vehicle accidents, complicating your claim.
Understanding these challenges helps protect your interests:
Your coverage options: You may file claims against your collision, medical payments, or uninsured motorist coverage.
Third-party claims: Vehicle defects or road hazards may enable claims against manufacturers or government entities.
Common insurer tactics: Be prepared for coverage disputes and lowball settlement offers.
Insurance adjusters work for the company, not you. Their goal is minimizing payouts, so communicate carefully.
When Do I Need to Consult a Lawyer After a Single-Vehicle Accident?
Single-vehicle accidents might seem straightforward, but they often involve complex liability issues that warrant legal assistance. While minor incidents with no injuries and clear-cut causes may not require legal representation, there are many instances in which you would benefit from consulting an experienced auto accident attorney.
When Dealing with Serious Injuries or Significant Property Damage
If you’ve suffered injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment, hospitalization, or resulting in permanent disability, an experienced attorney can help you recover full compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. Serious injuries often involve complex calculations of long-term costs that insurance companies typically try to minimize, making legal representation crucial for protecting your financial future.
When Facing Potential Third-Party Liability Claims
Many single-vehicle accidents involve factors beyond driver error. If your accident may have been caused by vehicle defects, improper road maintenance, inadequate signage, or other third-party negligence, an attorney can investigate these possibilities and identify all potentially liable parties.
Difficulty Recovering Fair Compensation
Insurance providers often approach single-vehicle accidents with heightened skepticism and may attempt to deny or undervalue your claim. If you’re experiencing delays, receiving lowball settlement offers, or facing outright claim denial, an attorney can advocate on your behalf, challenge unjustified denials, and negotiate for fair compensation.
When Confronting Complex Legal Issues or Technical Evidence
Some single-vehicle accidents involve complicated legal questions regarding comparative negligence, product liability, or government immunity.
When There’s Uncertainty About Fault or Contributing Factors
Single-vehicle accidents are often automatically presumed to be the driver’s fault, but numerous other factors can contribute to or cause these crashes. If there’s any question about what caused your accident—whether road conditions, vehicle defects, or other hazards played a role—a car crash attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to establish the true cause and appropriate liability, potentially shifting blame away from you to other responsible parties.
When the Accident Involves Complex Insurance Coverage Questions
Single-vehicle accidents may trigger various insurance coverages, including collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection, or medical payments coverage. Understanding how these policies interact and which claims to pursue can be confusing. An attorney can analyze your insurance policies, identify all available coverage sources, and ensure you maximize benefits from each applicable policy provision.
By consulting with an experienced attorney after a single-vehicle accident, you gain an advocate who understands the legal system, insurance company tactics, and the true value of your claim.
Maximize Your Compensation – Start with a Free Consultation!
If you’ve been injured in a single-vehicle accident, don’t automatically assume you have no recourse. At Buckhead Law Saxton Injury & Accident Lawyers P.C., we have extensive experience investigating these accidents and identifying all potential sources of liability.
Don’t let insurance companies or other parties dismiss your claim just because no other vehicle was involved. Contact our experienced car accident attorneys today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Remember: The sooner you reach out after an accident, the better we can preserve evidence and build a strong case on your behalf. Call us today to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.