Compensation for Single Vehicle Accidents

When we think of car accidents, most people imagine two vehicles slamming into each other, probably at an intersection. But some accidents involve only one vehicle getting into a collision. That does not mean that the victim cannot receive compensation or sue a driver. Instead, they need to prove that someone else was responsible for them sliding off the road or crashing into a telephone pole.

Ladah Law Firm has built a career helping victims injured in every type of car accident. We can also help anyone hurt in a single vehicle crash. Call our firm to schedule a meeting to find out more.

What is a Single Vehicle Car Accident?

This type of accident involves only one vehicle getting into a wreck. Sometimes, other vehicles are involved because they almost struck the car that crashed. Single-vehicle accidents present unique problems to obtaining compensation, so work with a seasoned car accident lawyer at Ladah Law.

What Causes Single-Vehicle Collisions?

Here are some of the most common causes:

• A “near miss” driver. Many accidents occur because a driver is barreling toward you in your lane and the only thing to do is take quick, defensive action, such as yanking the steering wheel to the right. However, by doing this, you crash into parked cars or a mailbox, or else you go right off the road and into a ditch. “Near miss” drivers don’t hit you, but they come so close that they are responsible for your crash.
• A phantom driver. A phantom driver is a near miss driver who doesn’t stop, possibly because they didn’t know they were close to hitting you. We also call this a “miss and run” driver.
• Potholes and road defects. Different defects can make the road dangerous to drive on, and even careful drivers can get into collisions. For example, a pothole could bounce your vehicle into oncoming traffic, where you get struck.
• Road or construction debris. Some debris from construction zones could force you to lose control or take defensive action.
• Vehicle defects. Malfunctioning parts on your vehicle could cause you to lose control for even a split second. For example, a blown tire will often make a car uncontrollable. You could easily go off the road.
• Driver negligence. Sometimes, drivers cause their own single-vehicle accidents because they were intoxicated, fell asleep, or were distracted and not watching the road.

Challenges to Obtaining Compensation

Perhaps the biggest challenge is convincing your insurer that you didn’t cause your own accident. When two vehicles collide, the other driver usually stops. You get their insurance information and present it to your own insurance company. But if a phantom driver forces you off the road, your insurer might think you are lying. They might conclude you fell asleep or were distracted, which is how you ended up in a ditch.

If you have uninsured motorist insurance, you can submit a claim for a miss-and-run accident. But you’ll need solid proof your own negligence wasn’t the primary cause of the crash.

Car accidents involving road defects are complicated because you might need to sue the government, which enjoys immunity from many lawsuits. Work closely with a lawyer who knows how to submit claims to the state.

Accidents stemming from vehicle defects present complex factual issues. For example, you might not know the defect. Maybe you pumped the brakes and nothing happened. Is that a defect in manufacturing, or did your mechanic put the brake pads on wrong? You need a lawyer who can inspect your vehicle with an expert to identify which defects, if any, contributed to your wreck.

How Ladah Law Firm Can Help

We work with single-vehicle accident victims to build claims for compensation. If a near-miss driver stopped, you should have their personal and insurance information. That makes it easy to submit a claim. However, we can also help those injured by miss-and-run drivers document the surrounding circumstances.

If you need to sue the state or a subdivision, we can submit a claim to the Attorney General. Under NRS § 41.036, you must submit the claim within two years of the accident. NRS § 41.035 also limits the government’s liability to $200,000 in most cases, which presents challenges if you have catastrophic injuries.

Contact Our Legal Team Today

Ladah Law Firm has built its reputation in Las Vegas and greater Nevada by providing detailed legal representation to accident victims in their greatest hour of need. To schedule a free consultation, please call us today at (702) 252-0055.