Single-Vehicle Collisions

When we think of a car accident, we usually think about one car hitting another car are two cars colliding into each other. However, many car accidents are single-vehicle collisions. When a car leaves the road and rolls over, or when a car hits a tree, telephone pole, or barrier without coming into contact with another vehicle, the accident would be classified as a single car accident. Even though only one car is involved, single car accidents can be just as dangerous as multi-vehicle accidents. Just like victims of multi-vehicle accidents, victims of single-vehicle accidents suffer such serious injuries as a brain injury, crushed bones, internal bleeding, contusions, a spinal cord injury, or amputations. While it is true that with many single car accidents the driver is at fault, in many other cases the accident is caused by the negligent actions of another driver, a defect in the car, a pedestrian, or a road hazard. If you are in need of a New York Injury Lawyer because you or a loved one was injured in a single car accident that was caused by another person's negligence, it is important to contact an experienced New York Singe-Vehicle Collisions Injury Lawyer who will review the facts of your case and help your receive the compensation to which you are entitled. Furthermore, if you suffer an additional injury because the doctor treating you makes a medical mistake, the person responsible for your car accident injuries may also be required to compensate you for the medical malpractice injuries you suffered.

There are a number of causes for single-vehicle collisions.

• Aggressive or reckless driving of another driver. In some instances the driver of another vehicle drives in such a reckless, unlawful manner that you had to maneuver your vehicle in a manner that results in you driving off the road and hitting a tree or driving into a ditch. For example, if another vehicle makes an unsafe lane change and cuts you off, you may swerve in order to prevent the other vehicle from hitting you.
• Defective vehicle. If a car does not operate correctly because of a problem in the way it was designed or manufactured, the result could be an accident. For example, if a vehicle has a sudden unintended acceleration problem, the drive may collide into a tree, pole or hydrant. Such an accident would be the fault of the manufacturer of the vehicle. Or, if a defective tire blows out while the car is traveling at high speed on a highway, the driver could lose control of the car and collide into the highway median. In this case the manufacture of the tire may be liable in a product liability claim.
• Road hazard. Road hazards such as large potholes are a common cause of both single-car collisions and multi-car collisions. A vehicle traveling over a pothole could lose control of the vehicle and end up in an accident.

Single-vehicle collisions can be just as deadly as multi-vehicle accidents. Victims who are injured in single-vehicle collision suffer serious, life-altering injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, spinal cord damage, neck injuries, broken bones, and amputations. Such injuries require extensive treatment and long recovery times. The financial impact of such an injury can be significant as the victim will have substantial medical bills and will miss work while recovering. Fortunately, New York law permits those injured in a car accident to pursue damages from the responsible party in a personal injury lawsuit or a product liability lawsuit.

• Medical expenses. You may be entitled to compensation for the medial expenses related to the injuries suffered in the car accident. Medical expenses may include fees associated with the emergency room, ambulance service, hospital stay, surgery, rehabilitation, prescriptions, and medical equipment.
• Lost wages. This includes the wages, salary, benefits, and other compensation that you lost due while recovering from your injuries. Not only would you be entitled to the amount of the paychecks that you did not receive, you would also be entitled to the value of the sick and vacation days that you lost due to the accident.
• Pain and suffering. The physical and emotional pain and suffering that you endured because of the accident. The amount of the pain and suffering that you would be entitled to depends on the extent of your injuries and the type of injuries.

If a loved one died in a single-vehicle collision, that person's personal representative may file a wrongful death lawsuit to pursue damages on behalf of the decedent's heirs and beneficiaries.

Whether the accident was a single–vehicle accident or a multi-vehicle accident, if you have been injured in an accident due to the negligence of another person you may be entitled to compensation. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates has extensive experience representing clients injured in car accidents, construction accidents, as well as other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident.