Liability In a Clearwater Single Car Accident

Single-vehicle car accidents in Clearwater, Florida
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety Motor Vehicles,1 there were 210,887 people injured in traffic crashes during 2013. In many instances, these injured people were able to recover for their injuries by filing a personal injury claim against the driver that caused their accident. People injured in single car accidents may assume that they will not be able to recover, as there is no other driver to sue. Fortunately for victims, this is not the case, and many people hurt in a single car accident are able to recover in certain situations. Two of the common scenarios in which single car accident victims are able to sustain a claim are detailed below. For specific information regarding you case, call the Dolman Law Group to speak with a Clearwater car accident attorney today.

Single car accidents can be caused by vehicle defects
Vehicle defects are one of the most common causes of single car accidents that are not the result of driver error. Importantly, even if driver error was partially to blame for an accident, a vehicle defect may  have contributed to the crash, meaning that victims may be able to obtain partial recovery for their injuries. Some examples of the kinds of vehicle parts that can often cause accident when they are defective include the following:

·         Brakes
·         Headlights
·         Steering mechanisms
·         Accelerator pedals
·         Windshield wipers
·         Tires
·         Cruise control systems
·         Anti-lock braking systems
·         Axles
·         Airbags

While the fact that a defect caused or contributed to an accident may be clear in certain situations, in others, it may take significant investigation to uncover the fact that a defect even existed. For this reason, it is extremely important for anyone involved in a single car accident to discuss their case with an attorney familiar representing people involved in single car accidents. A law firm will have the resources required to fully investigate your case and may enlist the help of expert witnesses or accident reconstruction specialists in order to determine whether you may have a right to recover for your losses.

Single car accident can be caused by road defects
In addition to vehicle defects, road defects also cause a significant number of single vehicle accidents each year. Examples of defects that often result in accidents are detailed below.

·         Potholes – Potholes can cause significant damage to vehicles and may pop a tire, often leading to serious accidents. In addition, motorists who swerve to avoid potholes may hit other objects or lose control of their vehicles due to the sudden change in direction.
·         Improper drainage – When a road does not have effective drainage, it can result in the accumulation of standing water. When vehicles drive through water, it can often cause a loss of control that may easily lead to an accident.
·         Inadequate signage – Properly designed and maintained roadways should have signs which inform drivers of upcoming hazards or conditions of which they should be aware. When there is inadequate signage or if a sign has been removed or is difficult to read, serious accidents can occur as a result.
·         Poorly surfaced roads – A poor road surface can have a negative effect on a driver’s ability to control his or her vehicle. This is especially true in adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, or ice.

Victims of single vehicle accidents who believe that their crash was the result of a roadway defect that there are often relatively short time limits associated with filing a legal claim for this type of accident. For this reason, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident occurs.

Contact a Clearwater auto accident law firm today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney

People who are injured in single vehicle accidents should always have the facts surrounding their accident reviewed by an experienced attorney, even if they believe the accident was partially their fault. In some cases, the fact that a car or truck becomes difficult or impossible to control or stop in a particular situation is actually an issue with the vehicle itself, rather than with the driver’s ability. In addition, many single car accidents are caused by roadway defects that may the result of negligence2 on the part of the party responsible for its design and maintenance.

The Clearwater car accident lawyers of the Dolman Law Group have been helping people injured in preventable accidents since 2009. To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, please call our office today at 727-451-6900 or send us an email through our online contact form.

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/auto-accidents-attorneys/

Reference:

1https://firesportal.com/Pages/Public/DHSMVPublishedDocuments/Previous%20Years/Crash%20Facts%202013.pdf

2https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence

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