Single-vehicle crashes are a common car accident that often leave people with many questions about liability and compensation, sometimes leaving victims with serious injuries.
Fortunately, Vegas Valley Injury Law has specialized single-car accident lawyers with the knowledge and expertise to aid victims of single-vehicle accidents in securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Legal Representation for Victims of Solo-Vehicle Crashes
Without legal representation, victims of solo-vehicle crashes risk possible liability denial, sometimes even being blamed for the accident as the driver. Vegas Valley has a firm grasp of Nevada law and is committed to aiding injured clients navigate the complexities of insurance claims.
Understanding Single-Vehicle Accidents
Even though it is just one vehicle involved in the accident, figuring out who is at fault and how they are liable for damages can be tricky. Vegas Valley helps investigate the accident and identify liable parties.
After everything and everyone is identified, we help you through insurance negotiations and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit for maximum compensation.
What Qualifies as a Single-Vehicle Crash?
A single-vehicle crash is when the only vehicle involved in the accident is your vehicle. Several factors can contribute to the accident and ultimately affect your legal options and rights, such as hitting an object or losing control of the car.
Common Causes of Solo Accidents
Before starting on liability and compensation, it is important to know what qualifies as a single-vehicle crash and how to identify the initial problem that caused the crash, which includes factors like:
- Sudden collisions with guardrails, animals, or debris on the road.
- Road hazards include potholes, construction, or poorly maintained streets.
- Severe weather conditions that make driving dangerous, like fog, storms, or high winds.
- Mechanical failures such as broken brakes, tire blowouts, or steering malfunctions.
- Reckless third-party drivers who cause single-vehicle crashes with no contact.
How we help you
We will begin your case by investigating the accident scene.
Consult with doctors to identify the care victims will need.
Determine any loss in earnings, and account for pain and suffering endured due to your automobile accident.
Aggressively pursue the total compensation for all your losses including financial, medical, and emotional.
Call (702) 444-5555 No Fee Unless We Win!
Determining Liability in Single-Car Wrecks
While it might seem like the driver is automatically at fault, it is possible for liability to go to other parties, depending on the circumstances.
Let’s look at all possible offenders to determine who is liable in a single-car wreck.
1) The Driver
If you are the driver, then, unfortunately, you will most likely be held liable for damages, as the driver is usually the one at fault. However, this is not always the case, and even if the driver is at fault, they can still collect some compensation through their insurance policy.
2) Government Entities (Municipalities or State Agencies)
Sometimes, a single-vehicle crash is caused by poorly maintained roads, dangerous road design, or inadequately marked construction zones. In these cases, state and local governments are often responsible for not ensuring roads are safe for travel, resulting in accidents. It’s important to note that filing a claim against a government entity is no easy task because it often requires rigid and extensive paperwork. A car accident lawyer in Las Vegas can go against government entities and help navigate specific legal hurdles.
3) Vehicle Manufacturers or Mechanics
Under product liability law, your vehicle manufacturer or designer may be held liable because of a defective part in your vehicle, which includes, but is not limited to:
- Tire blowouts from defective tires
- Brake failures from faulty manufacturing or design
- Airbags failing to deploy correctly
- Losing control due to defective steering systems
- Improperly installed work or service from a mechanic
4) Other Drivers
Another driver could be responsible for your single-vehicle crash if they behaved negligently. Even if they are not directly involved in the accident, they can still be liable due to things like cut-offs, tailgating, or run-offs. In this case, contact a reckless driving accident lawyer in Las Vegas.
5) Pedestrians or Cyclists
Occasionally, pedestrians or cyclists may act unpredictably while on the road, resulting in a single-vehicle crash in which they are responsible. However, pedestrians and cyclists also must be identified accurately to be held liable.
Injuries Frequently Reported in Solo Crashes
Despite the minimal vehicle damage caused by low-speed car accidents, the human body is still susceptible to significant injuries in any motor vehicle crash.
Below are the most common types of injuries that occur in fender benders and low-speed collisions.
- Whiplash
Whiplash is extremely common and occurs when the head is suddenly jerked from one side to the other, creating neck strain that can lead to stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes blurred vision or memory problems. Most people recover in a few weeks, but there are also cases of chronic neck pain and long-term mobility problems.
- Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries come from damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They can cause pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. Unlike fractures or scars, soft tissue injuries can be more complex to diagnose and can cause pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
- Concussions and Other Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
Mild traumatic brain injuries like concussions are possible, even without a direct hit to the head. Symptoms such as headaches, confusion, dizziness, and changes in mood or behavior are often signs of internal brain damage, which can have serious consequences if left untreated.
- Bone Fractures
Even a single-vehicle accident can cause broken or fractured bones in sensitive areas of the body. Hands, wrists, and feet are most susceptible to bone fractures, which often take time to notice.
- Lacerations and Abrasions
Lacerations and abrasions from pieces of glass and metal might seem like minor injuries, but they can lead to serious infections and other complications if left untreated.
- Back Injuries
Back injuries are no joke. Any impacts from a collision can cause herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, or lower back muscle strains, which can result in more serious chronic pain and mobility issues.
Nevada Single-Vehicle Accidents Laws
Nevada’s comparative negligence law, NRS 41.141, states that if a claimant’s degree of negligence is less than that of another party involved, they maintain the ability to recover compensation. This is achieved by reducing the compensation to match a specific percentage.
What You Should Do After a Single-Vehicle Accident
Being prepared and knowing what to do in the event of a single-vehicle crash can make the difference between owing money and being owed money.
Follow these steps to protect your rights and preserve your ability to pursue compensation:
- Seek Medical Attention: Some injuries are not immediately apparent and may take time to be recognized, which is why it is essential to consult a medical professional who knows what to look for.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the crash as evidence to prove liability. Be sure to document road conditions, signage, and damaged areas. Notice the time of day, the weather, and anyone who might be involved.
- Report the Accident: Contacting local law enforcement and filing a police report can serve as substantial evidence in determining liability.
- Gather Information: Collect names, statements, and contact information of others involved or those who witnessed it. This information helps in establishing liability.
- Contact an Attorney: Connect with a personal injury attorney who helps with the claim process and gets you the best compensation.
Challenges in Pursuing Compensation After a Single-Vehicle Accident
There are often challenges at every turn when pursuing compensation after a single-vehicle accident. These include things like:
- Fault Determination
Typically, the driver is considered at fault, but can be wholly or partially relieved of this due to external factors, such as severe weather conditions, sudden animal crossings, poor road conditions, or equipment defects.
- Insurance Coverage
Oftentimes, liability insurance does not cover the policyholder’s vehicle damages or injuries, so additional insurance coverage is needed for compensation.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help compensate for injuries and damages incurred. If you are a motorcyclist, contact our motorcycle accident lawyer in Las Vegas.
- Product Liability Claims
Defective parts in your vehicle can lead the vehicle manufacturer or distributor to be liable for damages.
- Premises Liability
A single-car accident can be caused on private property by hazardous road conditions, inadequate signage, or poor maintenance. A property owner can be held liable for a car accident on their property due to negligence.
- Government Liability
Road defects and poor maintenance of public property can mean a potential claim against the government entity responsible for maintaining the road. This includes poorly marked hazards or a neglected roadway.
What Insurance Covers a Single-Vehicle Accident in Nevada?
In Nevada, it is common for insurance to cover damages related to a single-car accident. This can be done in different ways depending on your specific coverage.
Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
These coverages assist in repairs to your vehicle after an accident, even if it is your fault.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and MedPay
These coverages help cover medical bills and wage losses resulting from an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is required by Nevada law to cover injuries and damages you cause to others. For your own injuries and vehicle repairs, you’ll need additional coverage.
Nevada Minimum Liability Coverage
This covers costs for bodily injury, the death of a person, or property damage, and is required by law in Nevada.
Types of Damages You May Recover
Knowing the different types of compensation you can get for different types of damages ensures complete coverage for your losses:
Economic
Damages
The following is a list of the most common costs recovered from economic damage associated with your accident-related finances.
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Diminished value of property
- Vehicle rental fees
- Legal fees
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are typically associated with health and social services from an accident.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Mental anguish/trauma
- Loss of reputation or stature in the community
Wrongful Death Damages
These damages are for any deaths related to the accident.
- Loss of future income or benefits
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, and advice
- Pain and suffering endured by the deceased before their death
- Mental anguish suffered by surviving family members due to the loss of a loved one
- Loss of inheritance caused by premature death
- Medical bills incurred as a result of the fatal accident
Punitive
Damages
Punitive damages are awarded by the court in rare cases to punish egregious or reckless conduct. They are not covered by insurance policies and are typically pursued in cases involving intentional wrongdoing.
How Our Las Vegas Legal Team Supports Your Case
Vegas Valley Injury Law practices in personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, commercial trucking accidents, and wrongful death claims.
Our team understands how overwhelming legal action can be, so we take pride in our down-to-earth approach to connect with the community we call home.
Why Choose Our Law Firm After a Single-Car Crash?
Many aspects of Vegas Valley Injury Law demonstrate our commitment to our clients. It is essential to maintain and grow our reputation as Nevada’s most trusted and dependable law firm for a single-car crash.
- Aggressive Client Protection
- 24/7 Availability
- No Fee Unless We Win
- Nevada Knowledge & Experience
- Personal Service
- Recovery Resources
Speak With a Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer Today
Our experience in handling car accident cases means we understand the importance of timely legal help.
Vegas Valley’s single-vehicle car accident attorneys are here to guide you through the process of securing compensation and protecting your rights. We will help you find the best path forward. Please give us a call to get started with a free, confidential consultation.
We offer free consultations. We will get back to you within 24 hours.