According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) most recently published report, “[t]here were 32,675 people killed in motor vehicle crashes on U.S. roadways [while] an additional 2.3 million people were injured in crashes in 2014.”1 In 2013, nearly fifty-seven percent of nationwide motor vehicle deaths involved single-vehicle accidents.2
It is evident that single-vehicle accidents affect many people each year. It is not uncommon for individuals to assume that the driver in a single-vehicle was at fault and is therefore not entitled to recovery. Many single-vehicle accidents are caused by driver-related issues. In some instances, however, other factors such as another’s negligence can cause single-vehicle accidents. When an accident is caused by another person’s negligence, victims may be able to recover damages after filing a legal claim against the responsible party.
There are several different parties from whom a victim in a single-vehicle accident could potentially recover. Although each case is unique, some common causes of single-vehicle accidents are as follows:
Manufacturer or Design Defect - Sometimes, accidents are caused by no fault of anyone on the road. Rather, they’re caused by the fault of a manufacturer who has produced a defective vehicle. The defect can be in the design of the vehicle itself or be caused by a defective part of the vehicle. When the defective part is the cause of the single-vehicle accident, the driver and any other injured party may be able to recover from any losses.
Another Driver’s Negligence - A vehicle that is not involved in an accident may ultimately cause the accident itself. For example, a driver may be forced to swerve out of the way or be driven off the road, striking a fixed object, because another driver was driving negligently. The injured driver may be able to recover losses from the negligent driver.
Negligently Designed or Maintained Roads - Single-vehicle accidents may also be caused by dangerous road conditions which the government has negligently failed to correct. Dangerous conditions such as dangerous inclines, potholes, or the lack of warning signs for known hazards may lead to single-vehicle accidents. Depending on the facts of the case, the driver and other victims may be able to bring a suit against the local or state government agency responsible for the road’s conditions. These cases may be complicated due to governmental immunity provisions and seeking an attorney is highly advised.
Contact a Michigan Single-Vehicle Accident lawyer today
If you have been involved in a single-vehicle accident, you may be entitled to recover those losses which you have suffered. You always want to seek the assistance of a lawyer who understands this particular type of single-vehicle accident case. The experienced auto accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers understand the legal issues that may arise in a single-vehicle accident and will always strive to ensure you recover any losses you may have incurred as a result. Please feel free to call our office today at 313-438-4357 for a free consultation with no obligation.
References:
1http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812219.pdf
2http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/state-by-state-overview