There are quite a number of single-vehicle accidents in the United States. Whenever this happens, many people tend to assume that the driver is automatically at fault. However, there are some exceptions.
Single-vehicle crashes include rollovers, spinning, hitting objects along the road like guardrails or trees, flipping over, and driving off a cliff. Depending on the accident’s nature or severity, single-vehicle accidents can cause anything from minor injuries to fatalities. If you have been in such an accident and believe you are not at fault, you should talk to car accident lawyers near you and get legal advice on handling your case.
Once an attorney reviews your case, they can gather evidence and come up with the right defense to prove who is liable for the accident. Below are some defenses.
Poorly Maintained Roads
In every state, there are government agencies responsible for maintaining roads. If a driver loses control of their vehicle due to dangerous road conditions or poorly designed roads, they can hold the governmental agency liable for the accident.
It is vital to take clear pictures of the scene and the road, witness statements, and contact information because they will help support your claim. You should also report to the police and the governmental authority in charge and claim compensation if possible. Holding such authorities liable for an accident is quite challenging. You will need the help of a good car accident attorney to prove that they are liable and claim compensation.
The Accident Was Instigated
Sometimes, another driver’s actions can be to blame for an accident even if they are not directly involved in the accident. For example, if the other driver changed lanes improperly, or they were distracted, or were driving while intoxicated, and their actions forced a driver to swerve out of the way to avoid colliding with them, the other driver can be liable for the accident.
In some cases, an aggressive driver can purposely run a driver off the road and cause them to crash. When this happens, the aggressive driver can be guilty of instigating an accident and held liable due to their negligence. Aggressive and distracted driving puts other drivers and road users at risk. If a driver is guilty of aggressive driving, they can get hefty penalties according to the law because the behavior constitutes a fault.
Mechanical Failure or Faulty Parts
A driver can use a vehicle defect, faulty parts, or equipment failure as a defense if they can successfully prove that they are not at fault. This is if they were not aware of the defect. For example, suppose the vehicle was not maintained as it should or was subject to a recall notice, and the malfunction caused the crash. In that case, the vehicle’s manufacturer or the person responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is well maintained can be held liable.
Auto repair shops or mechanics can also be at fault if they failed to repair the vehicle and did not inform the driver or used faulty or wrong parts to fix the vehicle. In this case, the driver or the accident victim can claim compensation from the at-fault party if they can prove that there is a direct connection between the malfunction and the accident.
To help prove malfunction, do not drive away from the scene, have the vehicle towed, and get it thoroughly checked out by a qualified mechanic.