Any car accident can be stressful, but if you are the only driver involved in the accident, it can be even more embarrassing and guilt-inducing. While there’s the benefit of not having to worry about the other driver bringing a claim against you for the accident, being the only driver involved in a single-vehicle accident can bring its own level of stress with it.
What is a Single-Vehicle Accident?
The term single-vehicle accident is self-explanatory in many ways. However, not all single-vehicle accidents are going to be classified the same way. For example, if you have a crash with a parked car or even crash into a building, the authorities may not rule it as a single-vehicle accident even if there are no other drivers involved.
There are several types of single-vehicle accidents. One of the most common is a run-off-road (ROR) crash. This happens when a vehicle leaves the travel lane that it is in and crashes into the shoulder, roadside, parking lane, or the center divider and hits at least one artificial or natural object such as road signs or trees. This type of crash contributes to a large percentage of serious injuries and fatalities.
Accidents with cyclists or pedestrians are also often classified as single-vehicle accidents. If you have been involved in an accident with a cyclist, or a ROR crash, then here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, we can help. Get in touch today at 877-557-4221 for a consultation to discuss the accident and determine your options.
Single-Vehicle Accident Consequences
As with any car accident, a single-vehicle accident brings some consequences with it. The most obvious is that since there are no other vehicles involved, the responsibility for the crash will usually lie solely with the driver who has crashed. A single-vehicle crash is typically deemed to be the fault of the driver behind the wheel at the time, although there are some cases where somebody else might be responsible, such as another driver who caused the crash but did not hit another vehicle, or a company that has left the road in unsafe conditions that meant the driver was unable to prevent the crash. Defects in the car can also lead to a single-vehicle accident. If you are not sure whether or not your single-vehicle accident was actually your fault, then at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys we can help you determine this.
While being involved in a car accident is stressful enough, legal consequences might be faced if you have been involved in a single-car accident, depending on the circumstances. In some cases, you may be at least issued with a ticket depending on how the accident happened and if your driving contributed to or caused it.
Factors That Cause or Contribute to a Single-Vehicle Car Accident
Any car accident can be a scary thing to go through. Being involved in a car accident can be embarrassing and have a serious impact on your finances. However, all of this is only heightened when the accident you are involved in only includes your vehicle. There are several factors that can make a single-vehicle car accident more likely to occur, such as the road and weather conditions, hidden obstacles on the road, and distractions. Some common factors that contribute to a single-vehicle accident include:
Road Conditions
Uneven travel lanes, potholes, cracks in the road, loose gravel, and sinkholes are some of the most common causes of single-vehicle car accidents. These road conditions can cause any driver to lose control of their car and lead to a wreck, even if the driver is not driving particularly fast or dangerously.
Negligence
Being negligent behind the wheel and not paying attention, ignoring road signs, or speeding can lead to a single-vehicle crash. Drivers that do not take the responsibility that they have behind the wheel to be safe and careful are more likely to end up involved in a single-vehicle accident.
Weather Conditions
The weather can have an impact on your risk of being involved in a single-vehicle crash. It is often more dangerous to drive in certain weather conditions, such as rain or snow. Wet roads, windy conditions, and poor visibility when driving can all lead to a loss of control over the vehicle.
Recklessness
Driving recklessly and dangerously is one of the biggest contributors to single-vehicle accidents. Showing off while driving by going dangerously fast or trying out dangerous maneuvers like drifting can seriously increase the chance of being involved in a single-car accident on the road.
Distracted Driving
Being distracted while driving is one of the biggest causes of single vehicle accidents and can quickly cause any driver to lose control of their vehicle and end up involved in a crash. Distractions come in all shapes and forms, but one of the most well recognized is driving while using a cellphone. When driving, you should always keep your phone in a holder and use a hands-free kit if you need to take a call.
Obstacles
There can sometimes be something unexpected on the road, which may not always be obvious. Running over an obstacle on the road can cause a single-vehicle crash to occur. In some cases, something as small as a sharp stone on the road could cause a tire puncture and blowout, for example, which can cause the driver to lose control of the car and come off the road.
Age
The driver’s age can also have an impact on their risk of being involved in a single-vehicle accident. Younger drivers are often more likely to be involved in this kind of accident due to their immaturity and lack of experience on the road, which could lead them to drive inappropriately for the weather conditions, for example. On the other hand, older drivers are more likely to be complacent, which can increase the risk of being involved in a single-vehicle crash.
If you have been involved in a car accident where you were the only driver, then here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, we can help. We know that not all single-vehicle accidents are the fault of the driver and can look into your case to see if anything could have prevented your crash.
