When you think of car accidents, you are likely to imagine a wreck between two or more vehicles. However, as Seattle’s unpredictable and often rain-soaked road conditions can attest, you may also experience an accident involving only your car. This kind of crash is known as a single car accident.
While it may not involve another automobile, it can be just as tragic and complex. If you face this vehicle collision, you may resort to blaming yourself. But instead of being hard on yourself, take the time to assess how things transpired and come to the legal battle equipped with essential information. Legal counsel can help you better navigate unfortunate circumstances by knowing what might have caused the crash to help you determine liability, what steps you must take to prevent things from worsening and whether a single car accident can raise your insurance.
What are the common causes of a single car accident?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that hitting fixed objects and animals often causes single vehicle collisions. In 2022, solo car crashes that struck fixed objects resulted in 8,220 deaths nationwide. Drivers mostly hit trees, utility poles and traffic barriers. During the same year, IIHS also revealed that animal-involved crashes led to 184 deaths.
Aside from colliding with stationary objects and animals, adverse weather is a typical reason behind single car accidents. Drivers encounter severe storms that bring about wet, icy and slippery roads. Heavy rain and snowfall can come down so badly that getting behind the wheel is a tragedy waiting to happen.
Further, single car accidents can be a combination of factors, including any of the following:
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, and uneven lanes or pavements
- Vehicle defect: Faulty brakes and tire blowouts
- Reckless driver behaviors: Speeding, and distracted or drunk driving
These hazards can cause drivers to lose traction, leading to the vehicle rolling over or spinning out of control. It is crucial to stay vigilant to avoid these potentially life-threatening scenarios.
Also, once the cause has been identified, the liable party becomes clear. Depending on the elements of your lawsuit, it is worth getting an attorney for a car accident to guide you in determining which party is accountable, such as a government agency, a construction company or a local organization.
What are the steps to take following a single car accident?
Understandably, considering the physical and emotional devastation, you may feel the need to remove yourself from the situation and leave the single car accident scene right away. However, doing so is not a good idea. Even more unfortunate is that legal repercussions are preventable if drivers are aware of what they should do following a single car accident.
For instance, in some states, traffic laws frown upon drivers who encounter a car accident in Seattle and decide to flee the scene without taking reasonable steps. When striking an unoccupied car or property, drivers must fulfill their duties to avoid penalties. They must try locating and notifying the owner about potential property damage. If this proves impossible, they must leave a proper notice with their contact information in plain sight.
While staying in the scene, you must prioritize safety and do the following:
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
- Call 911 or emergency medical services to seek medical attention.
- Report to the police.
- Gather evidence.
- Notify your insurance company.
It is also important to note that your immediate actions after the incident can significantly affect the outcome of your lawsuit. Before providing conclusive statements or signing documents provided by an insurance adjuster, it will be wise to consult your personal injury attorney first.
What should you remember when filing a Seattle single car accident insurance claim?
As the initial shock subsides, you will probably wonder if a single car accident can raise your insurance costs. The short answer is it depends. Your insurance rates may rise based on the collision’s severity, your claims history and your existing coverage.
It is critical to follow these guidelines meticulously to prevent complex disputes over liability issues:
- Review your policy: Depending on state laws, personal injury protection (PIP) auto coverage is not always required. In some areas, such as Washington State, purchasing it is your choice. However, the state law mandates that your insurance company offers it to you. Regardless of fault, it can aid you in paying for different expenses, such as medical bills, loss of services, funeral costs and wage loss.
- Ensure compliance with traffic laws: Look into potential traffic violations, such as running a red light or exceeding the allowable speed limit. Breaking state rules may impact the extent of damages you can recover in your single car accident insurance claim.
- Investigate vehicle defect: If your car malfunctioned, you may be eligible to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer. Documentation, such as photos, videos or witness statements, is critical and can establish the manufacturer’s negligence.
- Contact a car accident attorney: When the legalities and the uncertainty of the future become too much to bear, having a legal advocate by your side can be all the assurance and protection you need. Your lawyer can walk you through your options, while protecting your interests and rights to fair compensation.
Ultimately, even if a single car accident only involves one vehicle, it can still present unique challenges. It can have several moving variables, which can be equally severe or fatal as multiple car crashes. Thus, having a clear understanding of its common causes, immediate steps to take right after the incident and guidelines when filing a single car accident insurance claim can make all the difference.
Further, as challenging as it can be, moving forward from a single car accident is possible through prompt action. Timely decisions can expedite the journey to healing and pave the path toward favorable outcomes. If you’ve been involved in a solo vehicle crash, your future self will thank you for quickly reaching out to your Seattle car accident lawyer, who will be there with you every step of the way.
They can build a strong case by working on preserving proof, arranging documents compliant with state deadlines, representing you in complicated negotiations with insurance adjusters and minimizing the impact of your car accident settlement on your daily life and well-being.
