Northern California Single-Vehicle Crash Lawyers
If you suffered injuries in a single-vehicle car accident that someone else’s negligent actions caused, you should contact the car accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm today. You might be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault party. You have a right to hold them liable for their carelessness that led to your injuries.
You should put yourself in a position to recover the maximum compensation you need to afford your medical treatment so you can heal. Hiring an experienced Northern California single-vehicle crash lawyer from Tiemann Law Firm is the best way to accomplish that. When you hire us, we will handle every legal aspect of your case from start to finish and create the right strategy to meet your goals. We never back down from a fight and won’t give up until we seek the justice you deserve. Call us at (916) 999-9000 right now for your free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Common Causes of Single-Vehicle Car Accidents In Northern California
Many accidents involve at least two vehicles. Driver error is a common reason they happen. However, there are times when only one car ends up in a collision. It can be because of a road hazard, such as a tree branch or a motorist swerving to avoid hitting a pedestrian and crashing into a telephone pole instead. Many factors can contribute to an accident with only one vehicle. The most common are:
Defective Car Parts
Vehicle manufacturers design and manufacture parts for all types of cars. Their job is to ensure their products are safe for use. Any error made during the design, manufacturing, or marketing process could result in a dangerous defect that causes a driver to lose control of their vehicle.
Common parts that can become defective or malfunction are:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Airbags
- Steering system
- Transmission
- Lights
- Engine
Malfunctioning Traffic Signals
Stoplights, warning systems, and other traffic signals are necessary to facilitate the safe flow of traffic. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers depend on these signals to proceed through intersections, yield to others, and stop in an emergency. Without them, a catastrophic accident can occur.
For example, you’re approaching an intersection with a green light, but another driver also has a green light. You swerve to avoid a collision but end up crashing into a tree instead. Government entities typically program traffic signals and repair them when necessary. They could be liable for one that malfunctions if they failed to maintain it properly.
Road Defects
Defects on roadways are the result of poor maintenance and inadequate repairs. Although heavy traffic and poor weather might cause potholes and other damage, it’s the state or local government’s job to keep up with fixing any problems that could cause an accident. Defects can also happen when the company responsible for creating the design fails to provide accurate measurements, leading to a narrow road.
Defective roads are hazardous to drivers. Encountering any of these could cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle:
- Missing or damaged sign
- Blind curve
- Pothole
- Debris or hazard in the road
- Faded line markings
- Inadequate lighting
- Missing guardrail
Traffic Sign Issues
Signs direct vehicles through intersections, warn drivers of upcoming dangers, and assist people to their destinations. Missing or damaged signs pose a problem to motorists. If a sign is difficult to read, the driver might not realize there’s a sharp turn ahead, and they should adjust their speed. As a result of sudden braking or steering, they could end up in a ditch or collide with a fixed object.
Common issues with traffic signs that can result in an accident are:
- Missing stop sign at an intersection
- Damaged or vandalized street signs
- Obstruction, such as a bush or tree, blocking a sign
- Lack of warning signs at a construction site
- A fallen sign from a bad storm
- Inadequate signage at a blind curve or upcoming sharp turn
Poor Lighting
Lights are crucial for anyone driving at night. It can be difficult to see where you’re going, especially in secluded places. Adequate street lights should help you see anyone attempting to cross the street or debris in the middle of the road. Without lights, it becomes a challenge to find your way in an unfamiliar area or avoid dangerous situations you might encounter.
Missing or inadequate lighting can prevent you from noticing:
- Line markings
- Sharp turns
- Potholes
- Cracked pavement
- Pedestrians or bicyclists
- Traffic signs
- Road debris
If any of these or some other factor led to your single-vehicle crash, do not hesitate to contact Tiemann Law Firm. We can investigate the accident to determine what caused it and who we can hold liable for the suffering you were forced to endure.
Parties You Could Hold Liable After A Single Car Accident
Just because you were the only person affected in the accident doesn’t mean you were at fault. It’s possible that another driver’s actions caused you to maneuver out of their way to avoid a collision, only to end up in a ditch instead. Various elements result in a single-vehicle crash, and we could help you determine the party that should be financially responsible for your expenses.
Governmental Entities
The Sacramento County Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining and repairing roads throughout Sacramento. A team of workers plans and executes various projects, including improving old roads, constructing new roadways, and fixing any issues. Government entities typically have immunity from lawsuits; however, if an employee’s negligence led to an accident, they could be held liable.
Other People
All drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians must behave responsibly to prevent causing injury to others. If you make a sudden maneuver to avoid an accident with someone, you could end up crashing your own car instead.
Common causes of single-car accidents due to the actions of other people on the road are:
- Speeding
- Crossing the street, not at a crosswalk
- Unsafe lane changes
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield the right of way
Manufacturers
Parts manufacturers must meet design and safety specifications when they’re constructing parts for a vehicle. They should perform testing and quality assurance to check for defects or problems that could lead to an injury. Knowingly distributing a dangerous product or failing to provide the proper warning label is negligent. The manufacturer could be at fault for a car crash if the part contained a defect or caused something to malfunction.
Construction Companies
Construction companies could also be to blame for single-vehicle accidents. Workers should place traffic cones, warning signs, and barriers in such a way that passing motorists can navigate around the construction site and avoid crashing into equipment or machinery.
Compensation You Could Potentially Receive In Northern California
Single-vehicle accidents can cause severe injuries and even death to the occupants. You have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit for compensation for the losses you suffered. Common losses accident victims pursue are:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
You might even be entitled to a settlement from your auto insurance company if another motorist caused the accident. If you opted to purchase it, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) is available if the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance or coverage high enough to compensate for your total losses.
When you file a UM claim, you could seek a settlement for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Medical payments (med pay) is optional insurance that could cover any expenses associated with treating your injuries. The minimum available limit is $1,000, but you could purchase higher coverage. If you chose to include it on your auto insurance policy, you could receive medical care payments up to your purchased limit.
California Laws for Filing A Lawsuit
Your only course of action isn’t limited to filing a claim with another driver’s auto insurance company or a company’s liability insurance company. You could file a lawsuit against the at-fault party for a monetary award covering your past and future losses. The time limit for bringing this type of legal action is known as a statute of limitations. California follows a two-year statute of limitations for injury cases. This is a strict deadline you must follow. If it passes before you file your lawsuit, you could lose your right to sue.
When a jury determines the amount of money you should receive, they could use pure comparative negligence to assign fault to all parties involved. This could diminish your losses if you’re partially responsible for the accident. For example, if your losses total $20,000 but a jury decides you share 20% blame for the crash, you could only pursue up to $16,000 in compensation. That’s not nearly enough to compensate for your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. Even if you believe your actions contributed to the accident, it’s vital that you don’t admit it. That kind of admission could cost you.
Contact Tiemann Law Firm Today
Our Northern California single-vehicle crash lawyers have represented accident victims for over 20 years. We know you’re struggling to recover from your injuries and probably feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities you’re facing. Tiemann Law Firm is happy to relieve your burden and handle every step of your case so you can focus on recovering.
Call us at (916) 999-9000 now if you were injured in a single-car accident in Northern California for your free consultation.
