As the name implies, a single-vehicle accident involves just one car rather than a collision between two or more vehicles. While you may assume you have no one except your own car insurance company to rely on for coverage after a single-vehicle accident in Las Vegas, this may not be the case. If your single-vehicle accident was caused by something or someone else, contact a Las Vegas car accident attorney to go over your legal options.
What Can Cause a Single-Vehicle Accident in Las Vegas?
Single-vehicle car accidents are not always the fault of the person driving the car. Many things outside of the driver's control could cause or contribute to the crash. If you have reason to believe the collision was not your fault, report the accident to the police so that they can investigate.
Hazards that can cause serious single-vehicle accidents in Las Vegas include:
- Dangerous roads: hazards and defects present on the road at the time could cause a single-vehicle accident, such as potholes, cracks, ice, missing or obscured road signs, dangerous construction zones, debris in the road, and crossing animals.
- Vehicle part defects and breakdowns: if the vehicle experiences a problem in the middle of a drive, it could cause a loss of vehicle control. Examples include brake failure, a tire blowout and electrical malfunctions. These issues can stem from a poorly maintained vehicle or defective auto parts.
- No-contact crash: some single-vehicle accidents involve another driver, but do not have any contact between the two vehicles. A “no contact” accident can occur when a driver has to take evasive maneuvers to avoid hitting another vehicle and this results in the car veering off the road or crashing.
Determining the crash factors involved in your single-vehicle accident can allow you and your passengers to seek financial compensation for your losses through the correct legal outlets. Your legal rights will hinge on who or what caused your crash.
Liability in Single-Vehicle Accidents in Las Vegas
The driver is often presumed to be at fault for a single-vehicle accident in Las Vegas. However, these cases often warrant further investigation. If you were driving the vehicle and believe outside circumstances contributed to the accident, you may need a car accident attorney to help you prove someone else’s fault.
An attorney can help you go up against a third party, meaning someone who was not directly involved in the crash but who caused it to happen through an act of negligence, or the failure to use proper care. If a road hazard caused the accident, for example, the city or state government in charge of road maintenance could be held liable for your crash.
If a defective motor vehicle part contributed to the single-vehicle accident, the manufacturer or distributor could be held responsible. Finally, if another driver caused your accident without contact, his or her insurance may be required to pay. If you were a passenger in the vehicle, you can file a claim against the driver for torts such as speeding, distracted driving or drowsy driving.
How a Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas Can Help After a Single-Car Crash
Single-vehicle accident claims in Las Vegas can be challenging to navigate if you were driving the car. Your car insurance company may try to blame you for the accident, for example, or reject your claim. This can make it difficult to recover the financial compensation you deserve for your property damage and medical costs.
Hiring a car accident lawyer gives you access to resources and personnel who can conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify the cause and name any third parties that can be held liable. Then, your lawyer can take over the claims process, filing paperwork on your behalf and pursuing fair financial compensation using proven legal strategies.
If you were recently injured in a single-vehicle accident in Las Vegas, contact Edward Bernstein & Associates to discuss your rights during a free consultation.