Single-Car Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis, IN
Were you injured in a single-vehicle accident in Indianapolis? Contrary to what you might think, motorists aren’t the only parties that can be at fault for an accident.
Depending on what happened, you may have a right to seek compensation for losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury attorney can determine if someone else may be financially liable for the accident and your resulting losses and help you pursue compensation.
The Indianapolis single-vehicle accident attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC are dedicated to helping people who have been injured through no fault of their own seek just compensation for their losses. For more than 20 years, the attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless have been helping injured people in Indiana rebuild their lives. Let us help you too. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
What Is a Single-Vehicle Accident?
A single-vehicle accident is one that involves only one motor vehicle. Many single-vehicle accidents are the result of the driver’s failure to act in such a way as to reasonably avoid a collision. Examples of driver negligence include driving while fatigued, driving while intoxicated, and failing to abide by the rules of the road.
Other factors aside from driver negligence can contribute to a single-vehicle accident. Inclement weather, hazardous roadways, and vehicle defects can all potentially lead to a single-vehicle crash.
Common Scenarios for Single-Vehicle Accidents
Single-vehicle accidents may be caused by a variety of circumstances.
Some of the most common causes of single-vehicle accidents include:
- Swerving to avoid hitting a pedestrian, cyclist, another car, or an animal
- Colliding with a pedestrian or animal
- Colliding with trees, telephone poles, or guard rail
- Running off a road into a ditch or embankment
- Crashing into a road hazard, such as an object that was left on the road
- Losing traction on a badly maintained road
- Hitting a pothole
Single-vehicle accidents commonly occur in the following scenarios and locations:
- On rural highways
- On highways with high-speed limits but limited lanes
- In inclement weather conditions at night
- When a driver is impaired
- When a driver speeds or engages in reckless behavior
- When younger, less experienced drivers are operating a vehicle
Distracted driving frequently contributes to single-vehicle accidents. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Some common driving distractions include texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, eating and drinking, and talking with passengers.
While driver negligence often contributes to single-vehicle accidents, that doesn’t mean the driver is the only liable party.
What to Do After a Single-Vehicle Accident
If you have been involved in a single-vehicle accident, take the following steps to protect your rights:
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- Call the police – You should call law enforcement to the accident scene right away. Emergency responders will check for injuries and complete an accident report that contains important information regarding the crash. The report should include descriptions of your injuries and property damage caused by the accident, details about the accident scene, and an initial determination of fault.
- Collect evidence – Take photos and videos at the scene, if possible. Photos of the scene can support your injury claim if you file one. If any bystanders witnessed the accident, ask for their contact information. They might be able to provide a statement describing what they saw.
- Seek prompt medical attention – Insurance companies typically require claimants to be evaluated by a physician within 72 hours of an accident. If you do not get a medical evaluation, the insurer may try to argue that your injuries were not the result of the traffic collision.
- Gather documents – Request copies of your medical records, your hospital bills, the police report, and any other documentation concerning the accident or your losses.
- Keep a journal – If another person was at fault for the accident, you might be able to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and other non-financial damages. You should keep a journal in which you describe your level of physical pain each day, as well as your mental and emotional state. An attorney can consult this document when calculating losses.
Finally, you should talk to an attorney as soon as possible. While you might not think that you will need an attorney if no other motorists were involved, it’s still a good idea to have an experienced personal injury attorney review the accident and help you understand whether you have a valid claim. An experienced attorney can guide you through the claims process.
Parties That May Be Liable in a Single Vehicle Accident
Because single-vehicle accidents only involve one vehicle, law enforcement officers and insurance companies frequently assume that the driver of the car is at fault. In their eyes, the driver was the person most capable of preventing the accident. An insurer may allege that the accident would not have occurred if the driver had not been negligent in some way.
However, if a vehicle defect led to the crash, the vehicle manufacturer may potentially be liable. A brake failure or steering failure may have caused a driver to lose control and crash.
If a badly designed, or poorly maintained roadway contributed to the accident, the government agency responsible for the road may be liable. If a pedestrian stepped out in front of oncoming traffic and a driver swerved to avoid hitting the pedestrian, the pedestrian may potentially be at fault for the single-vehicle accident.
An independent investigation may be required to identify the cause or causes of the accident and determine liability.
If you believe that someone else caused the crash, you’ll have to provide proof of negligence. A seasoned single-vehicle accident attorney can seek the evidence to build a strong case against those who may have been responsible for the collision.
What if I Was At Fault? Can I Still File an Insurance Claim?
If you were found to be at fault for a single-vehicle accident, you may still be able to file an accident claim with your insurance company, presuming you possess specific types of insurance, such as medical payments insurance (MedPay) or collision insurance.
Medical payments insurance pays medical bills related to treating your injuries and those of your passengers if you are injured while riding in the car, getting into the car, or getting out of the car. It pays up to your policy limits, regardless of who caused the car accident. Since fault does not play a role, you should still be able to file a claim with your MedPay insurance provider.
If you have collision coverage, you can turn to this policy to pay for vehicle repairs or replacement up to your policy limits. You also could potentially be reimbursed for medical expenses through your personal health insurance policy.
Contact a Single Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis, IN
Were you injured in a single-vehicle accident in Indianapolis? If so, contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC to discuss your legal options and get started on an accident claim. We offer a free consultation, so it costs nothing to learn more about your options.