Single-vehicle accidents are traffic crashes involving only one car. Such incidents may occur from skidding off the road, hitting an animal on the highway, or crashing into a tree. According to statistics from the Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, there were 295,604 total reported crashes statewide in 2021. Of these, there were 14,516 crashes involving deer. If you were involved in a single-vehicle accident, you may be eligible to pursue damages through a claim.
At Marker & Crannell Attorneys at Law, we have the experience and resources to support and represent clients in their single-vehicle accident claims. As your legal counsel, we can investigate the possible cause of your traffic crash and enlighten you about your available legal options to recover damages. Our experienced Illinois personal injury attorneys will fight vigorously for your rights and help you seek your deserved financial compensation. We proudly serve clients across Naperville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, and Aurora, Illinois.
Possible Causes of a Single Vehicle Accident
A single-vehicle accident is a car crash that involves only one vehicle. Whether the driver’s action or another person’s negligence resulted in the traffic crash, it will be referred to as a single-vehicle accident. Below are some potential causes of single-vehicle crashes:
- Animals or objects on the road
- Running off the road
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Poor road conditions
- Distracted driving
- Inexperienced or unqualified drivers
- Poor weather conditions
- Driving while fatigued or drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Mechanical failure or vehicle defects
- Drunk or drugged driving
If you or a family member was injured in a single-vehicle crash, you should reach out to a seasoned personal injury lawyer right away. Your attorney can assess every facet of your personal situation and explore your possible legal options to pursue financial compensation.
Is the Driver Always at Fault for a Single-Car Accident?
Single-vehicle accidents are typically unique in nature. However, just because it is a single-car accident doesn’t necessarily mean the vehicle’s driver is at fault for the incident. In some cases, another driver’s negligent or careless action might have caused a safety issue which led to the single-car accident. For example:
- The traffic crash was caused by a faulty brake, mechanical failure, or defective vehicle part.
- The driver ran into a tree to evade another reckless motorist.
- A raging or aggressive driver ran the vehicle off the road.
- The crash occurred because the owner failed to keep their livestock or animals off major highways.
- The driver ran off the road to avoid hitting another negligent motorist.
- The accident was caused by poor road maintenance or repairs by the local government agency.
- The driver ran off the road to avoid hitting another driver who swerved into their lane.
- The road was unreasonably safe due to a lack of adequate maintenance.
- The driver ran off the road to evade a pedestrian who suddenly jumped into the vehicle’s path.
An experienced Illinois car accident attorney can help identify the at-fault party and determine the best way to proceed with your accident claims.
Liability for Car Accidents in Illinois
Illinois is an at-fault state for car accidents. According to Illinois’s at-fault laws, the driver who caused the traffic crash (at-fault party) will be held financially and civilly liable for bodily injuries, property damages, and other accident-related losses sustained by the victims.
Will My Insurance Cover the Damages?
When seeking damages for a single-car accident, the type of insurance coverage you have will determine whether your insurance carrier will cover your injuries. The following insurance policy options are available to drivers in Illinois:
Liability Coverage – Liability coverage pays for medical expenses, lost income and benefits, property damages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages suffered by accident victims.
Comprehensive Insurance – Comprehensive insurance pays for vehicle replacement or repairs for damages caused by non-collision-related incidents such as hail damage, theft, vandalism, or glass breakage.
Collision Coverage – Collision coverage pays for vehicle replacement or repairs for crashes involving a stationary object or another car.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for injuries and damages sustained in a crash with an at-fault driver with no insurance (uninsured) or less than the required coverage amount (underinsured).
A trusted attorney can help file your claims and attempt to recover the maximum available financial compensation for your injuries, damages, or losses.
Understand Your Next Steps
Even when you obey all traffic rules and drive carefully, you may still be the unfortunate victim of a single-vehicle accident due to another driver’s negligence or unreasonably unsafe conditions of the road. At Marker & Crannell Attorneys at Law, our attorneys have devoted their careers to advocating for the best interests of single-vehicle accident victims and their loved ones.
As your legal counsel, we can review every last detail of your unique circumstances, gather necessary evidence, and help establish fault. In addition, we will determine the extent of your damages, estimate the case value, and help file your claims. Our skilled legal team will fight compassionately for your best interests, hold the responsible party liable, and help you pursue the financial justice you deserve.
If you or someone close to you was hurt in a single-vehicle accident, you may recover damages. Contact us at Marker & Crannell Attorneys at Law today to schedule an initial consultation with practiced car accident lawyers. Our firm proudly serves clients across Naperville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Wheaton, Woodridge, and Aurora, Illinois.