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Who is Liable in Single Vehicle Accidents in Georgia?

Single Vehicle Accidents

Not every motor vehicle accident involves two vehicles.

Instead, many car accidents involve only a single vehicle.

But much like multiple vehicle accidents, single-vehicle accidents can involve substantial injuries in addition to substantial property damage.

The rate of single-vehicle accidents is surprisingly high.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that greater than fifty percent of all car accidents fatalities in the

United States are due to single-vehicle accidents.

An Atlanta car accident lawyer can represent victims who are bringing claims based on these crashes

The Two Types Of Single Vehicle Accidents

There are actually two types of single-vehicle accidents: on-road crashes and running off-road.

  • On-Road Crashes. This phrase refers to accidents in which the vehicle remained on the road even after the crash.
  • Running Off-Road. These accidents occur when a driver runs off the road or onto the shoulder of the road and subsequently collides with a fixed object. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that running off the road is the most common cause of single-vehicle accidents. These types of events are more likely to occur on rural and curved roads rather than on straight sections of highways or interstates.

Causes of Single Vehicle Accidents

There are several common causes of single-vehicle accidents in the Atlanta area, which include the following:

  • Adverse Weather Conditions. Single vehicle accidents are likely to occur when drivers have a difficult time navigating through elements like fog, ice, or rain.
  • Dangerous Road Conditions. Road conditions including dirt roads, gravel roads, and roads under construction can lead to single-vehicle accidents occurring. Some specific examples include lack of guardrails on the roadside, potholes, and roads that have a dangerous shoulder.
  • Fatigued Driving. Drivers who operate motor vehicles while fatigue can fall asleep at the wheel, which can cause a single-vehicle accident.
  • Inadequate Road Signs. Road signs are designed to warn motor vehicle drivers about upcoming dangerous conditions on the road. When there are no signs to warn of these conditions or the signs are unable to be read by motorists, other parties besides the motor vehicle driver can be held liable for posting inadequate signage.
  • Manufacturing. The manufacturer of a motor vehicle can be liable for a defective part including faulty brakes, seat belts, or steering wheels used in a motor vehicle.
  • Nighttime Driving. Motorists who drive at night have limited visibility while navigating the roads. This limited visibility can result in single-vehicle accidents when roadside conditions arise suddenly.
  • Poor Driving By Others. In some situations, a motor vehicle might be following another vehicle when the leading vehicle makes a quick lane change, abrupt stop, or another sudden driving movement that causes the trailing driver to get into an accident. The leading vehicle might then continue to drive on without stopping at the accident scene thus leaving only one vehicle.
  • Roadside Conditions Combined With Environmental Elements. The combination of these two factors can result in single-vehicle accidents. Some common examples include lanes that are too narrow, sharp curves, and roads that fill up with the rain. These dangerous road designs can cause single-vehicle accidents to occur. For example, a road that does not drain adequately can result in a motorist hydroplaning.

Determinations Of Liability for Single Vehicle Accidents

It is often easy to determine how a single-vehicle accident occurred and the party who is liable for the accident.In many situations, individuals are able to claim compensation from another party who was liable for the accident. Some potentials are the government agency or construction company who faultily maintained the road.

To proceed against another party, an individual must establish a negligence claim which includes establishing that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, that the defendant proceed to breach the duty of care, the defendant’s breach directly caused the plaintiff’s harm, and that the plaintiff suffered damage as a result of the defendant. If the accident happened in California, a Visalia auto injury lawyer may be able to help.

What To Do If You Are Involved In A Single Vehicle Accident

There are several essential steps that an individual who is involved in a motor vehicle accident be sure to take, which include the following:

  • Accident Observations. Take notes about the events that led up to the accident. Also make sure to take notice of the road conditions, time of day, and weather when the accident occurred. If at all possible also make sure to obtain any witness details, including contact information.
  • Inform Your Insurance Company. Inform your insurance company of the accident.
  • Law Enforcement. Notify law enforcement that the accident has occurred.
  • Medical Attention. Make sure that medical attention is paid to you or any passengers in the vehicle who might have been injured due to the accident. Individuals should make sure to contact emergency services even if injuries are not immediately apparent.

Injuries Incurred From A Single Vehicle Accident

Many individuals falsely believe that single-vehicle accidents result in less substantial harm than multiple vehicle accidents.

Single vehicle accidents, however, can result in substantial injuries including brain and head trauma, broken or fractured bones, burns, paralysis, and sometimes even death.

Receiving compensation for single-vehicle accidents can be difficult, as our Atlanta attorneys recognize.

Even if the responsibility lies clearly on another party, insurance companies can still resist providing payment for medical treatment.

Even if an insurance company does not outright reject a claim, in many situations an insurance company will offer a remarkably low settlement amount.

How Lawyers Can Help With Single Vehicle Accidents

Legal counsel can prove essential in single-vehicle accidents.

Experienced personal injury lawyers in Atlanta can counsel clients on how to receive compensation for injuries.

This compensation can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damage.

If you have been injured in a single-vehicle accident, do not hesitate to speak to experienced legal counsel at The Angell Law Firm, LLC who will fight to make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.

Our firm can be reached at (770) 217-4954 to obtain a free case consultation.

At The Angell Law Firm, we are able to accommodate clients and even offer house and hospital calls to hit and run accident victims.

Having a talented motorcycle accident attorney in Atlanta on your side can make all the difference when a single-vehicle accident occurred.

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