If you’ve been injured in a single car accident in Lexington and you believe someone else was at fault, you may have a right to seek compensation to cover your medical bills and other accident expenses.
You deserve a Lexington single car accident lawyer who is ready to show some Kentucky Courage when standing up to insurance companies on your behalf and demanding that you be treated fairly.
Contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast, & Salyer right away. Reach us online or by phone at (877) 809-5352.
What Is a Single Accident?
Single accidents are traffic incidents in which a moving vehicle is damaged. A second driver may have caused the accident. But if the second automobile did not sustain any damage, the accident is still categorized as a single accident.
For example, suppose that Driver A cuts off Driver B in Lexington traffic. Driver B swerves to avoid a collision, runs off the road, and strikes a tree. Even though Driver A’s actions clearly contributed to Driver B’s collision, it’s still considered a single accident because Driver A’s car was not damaged. Even so, Driver A may be financially liable for the crash.
Common Causes of Single Car Accidents in Lexington, Kentucky
Single accidents can happen for a wide range of reasons. Some of the most common causes of single car accidents in Lexington, Kentucky, include:
- Distracted driving – Motorists who let their attention wander while behind the wheel put themselves and their passengers in danger. Common examples of distracted driving include eating or drinking, adjusting entertainment devices, inputting GPS coordinates, grooming, talking to passengers, and daydreaming.
- Intoxicated driving – Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to focus, judge distance and speed, react to changing traffic conditions, and make safe decisions. Impairment increases the chances of a single accident.
- Speeding and aggressive driving – The faster a car is traveling, the less time its driver has to react to changes in the road. Similarly, aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, swerving through traffic, and cutting off other drivers increase the likelihood that a driver will lose control of their vehicle.
- Adverse weather conditions – Rain, hail, and snow decrease both traction and visibility. Drivers who don’t adjust their behavior for inclement weather conditions risk losing control or colliding with objects in or near the roadway.
While many single accidents are caused by driver error, others are caused by outside forces, such as:
- Poorly maintained or designed roads – Potholes, loose gravel, lack of signage, insufficient lighting, and unsafe roads can contribute to single accidents that are beyond a motorist’s ability to avoid. The government agency responsible for building and maintaining the road may have liability for the accident.
- Vehicle and part defects – Some vehicles are prone to overturn, particularly those with high centers of gravity. Critical components like tires, brakes, or power steering can fail as the result of design or manufacturing defects, leading to collisions.
- Other road users – A single accident is one in which only a single vehicle is damaged. Other drivers can cause single accidents by driving erratically. Pedestrians and cyclists who dart into traffic lanes in front of approaching cars may be responsible for causing single accidents.
Where and When Do Single Accidents Happen?
When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration researched the issue, the agency found that about 70 percent of all fatal single accidents were run-off-road crashes. Speeding was a factor in about 90 percent of these crashes, which were more likely to happen in rural areas than in urban areas.
According to the Kentucky State Police, about 34 percent of the 132,000 traffic accidents that were reported on public roads in a recent year involved a single vehicle. More than 21,000 of these single accidents involved fixed objects, while about 6,400 involved a deer or other animal. About 1,300 involved a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist.
Single car accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. All it takes is one moment of inattention, carelessness, or recklessness.
What To Do After a Single Car Accident in Lexington?
If you’re hurt as the result of a single car accident, the most important thing to do is immediately seek medical attention for yourself and anyone else in the car. Kentucky state law requires you to report any accident involving death or injury to the police. You must also file a report for any accident resulting in at least $500 in property damage if police were not called to the scene.
It is also important that you speak with a personal injury attorney to understand your legal options and whether you have a valid injury claim. Although the driver is usually found to be liable for a single car accident, this is not always the case. It is a good idea to speak to a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer about your options for pursuing compensation.
How To Prevent Single Car Accidents
Because the majority of single accidents are the result of driver error, motorists can do their part to prevent such accidents by staying alert when behind the wheel, driving defensively, and proceeding with caution in poor weather conditions. If you are driving in snow, ice, or rain, you need to moderate your speed and drive with extreme caution.
Motorists should avoid texting while driving or engaging in other forms of distracted driving. Anything that takes your eyes from the road, your hands from the wheel, or your mind from the task at hand can prevent you from noticing and reacting to sudden changes in traffic conditions.
Who Is Liable for a Single Car Accident in Lexington, Kentucky?
The driver is often at fault for single car accidents. Some exceptions include when a driver attempts to avoid a collision with another vehicle. Hazardous conditions such as tree limbs in the roadway, missing signs or lights, or potholes may suggest that a municipal government is to blame.
Contact a Single Car Accident Lawyer in Lexington, Kentucky
If you have questions about liability for a single accident and believe that someone else was at fault, contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today to review the accident and discuss your rights. Contact us online or by calling (877) 809-5352. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, so there’s no risk in learning more about your options.
