Single Vehicle Auto Accidents

Auto accidents are sadly common on Florida roads, and one type of accident that is becoming more and more prevalent is the single-vehicle accident. This is especially true on highways, and especially in the summertime, with its unpredictable weather. However, while it may seem as though a single-vehicle accident cannot be the fault of anyone but the driver, this is not always the case. It is possible in some situations to have a single-vehicle accident that was caused by another actor’s negligence, and if this happens to you, it is important to know that you may be able to seek compensation.

It Can Seem Impossible To Obtain Compensation

Generally, a single-vehicle accident is an accident in which only one automobile is involved – however, this classification does not take into account that there may be other inanimate objects or people involved, even if another auto was not. For example, it is not implausible that a car may hit an animal such as a deer, or runaway livestock; this is a single-vehicle accident, but it is not one where an injured driver would have no options (they could possibly bring suit against the owner of the livestock, in such a case). There are situations in which only one car can be involved in the accident, but someone else’s negligence can be a factor.

In some cases, you may not be able to obtain compensation for your accident, but if nothing else, Florida law mandates each driver carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of up to $10,000, which is intended to pay medical bills in the event of an accident. This is intended to occur regardless of negligence, though insurance companies are not above denying claims if every detail is not correct. Still, it is an option to pursue if there is no other method to get your bills paid.

… It Is Very Possible To Obtain Compensation

Despite how it can feel, it is very plausible in many single-vehicle accident cases to obtain compensation for your injuries. It will depend on the specific facts in your scenario, obviously, but even if no other driver can be held liable, other actors may have conducted themselves in a way where they can. For example, it is not uncommon to see single-vehicle accidents caused by poor road design or construction (lack of guardrails, turns that become infinitely harder to navigate in bad weather, and so on). In such a case, it may be possible to bring suit against the municipality that maintains the roads – in Florida, it would either be the relevant city, or the Florida Department of Transportation.

Another common method to attempt to fix liability in such an accident is in product liability – if you can show evidence that your car did not function the way it should during the relevant period, you may be able to show that it was defective or that a part of it was defective. Florida design defect claims require a showing that the product was dangerous as designed and produced, and that using the product as a reasonable person would might still produce adverse results. Be advised that product liability cases, like negligence cases, do utilize the pure comparative fault system, meaning that if the judge or jury holds you are partially at fault, any recovery will be reduced by that same percentage.

Contact An Experienced Attorney For Help

Single vehicle accidents can sometimes be doubly intimidating since many think they have no recourse to obtain compensation or help with medical bills, but this is not the case in many situations. Speaking with an experienced attorney can help you decide how to handle such an episode. The Tampa auto accident lawyers at the Rinaldo Law Group are happy to try and help you determine how best to handle your current situation. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Resource:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.736.html