When a car veers off the road, strikes a tree, or crashes into a median without involving another vehicle, the driver is often blamed by default. Police reports might cite “loss of control,” insurance adjusters may assume recklessness, and even the driver’s own passengers may believe it was their mistake. But in reality, single-vehicle crashes often have causes beyond the driver’s control, and those causes may give rise to a legitimate personal injury claim.
From defective road designs to blown tires and sudden mechanical failures, countless external factors can contribute to these types of accidents. In many cases, the true culprit is a negligent municipality, manufacturer, or third party, not the person behind the wheel. The attorneys at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman understand how to thoroughly investigate single-vehicle crashes, uncover hidden liability, and hold the responsible parties accountable, ensuring victims aren’t left paying for a crash they didn’t cause.
Roadway Defects: When the Road Itself Is to Blame
Poorly maintained or dangerously designed roads can cause even the most cautious driver to lose control. Large potholes, crumbling shoulders, eroded guardrails, and improperly banked curves are just some of the hazards that can turn a safe drive into a serious accident.
When a single-vehicle crash results from these types of roadway issues, liability may fall on the government entity responsible for maintenance or design. These claims require prompt action, as government agencies often impose strict deadlines and procedural rules. A lawyer can help initiate a claim quickly and gather evidence before repairs obscure the cause.
Vehicle Defects and Mechanical Failures
A sudden brake failure. A stuck accelerator. A blown tire on a straight, dry road. When these mechanical issues cause a crash, the fault may lie with the vehicle manufacturer, part supplier, or mechanic who last serviced the car. Product liability law holds these parties accountable when their negligence leads to injury.
Proving this kind of fault often involves a deep dive into maintenance records, recall notices, and expert inspections. If a flaw in the car’s design or repair work contributed to the crash, a skilled attorney can pursue compensation under product liability statutes, even if no other vehicle was involved.
Obstructions or Debris Left in the Road
Drivers can be forced off the road by construction materials, unsecured cargo, fallen tree limbs, or objects dropped by other vehicles. These road hazards give drivers almost no time to react, yet the resulting crash is often mistakenly blamed on “driver error.”
Suppose the source of the debris can be identified, such as a construction crew, delivery truck, or landscaping service. In that case, that party may be liable for creating a dangerous roadway condition. Dashcam footage, witness accounts, and immediate documentation of the scene are key to proving your case.
Negligent Road Construction and Poor Signage
Construction zones are hotspots for confusion and accidents, especially when signage is unclear, barriers are placed poorly, or detour instructions are missing. A single-vehicle crash in such conditions might appear to be the driver’s fault, but often it’s the result of contractor negligence or poor traffic control planning.
Holding construction companies or municipal agencies accountable requires prompt evidence gathering, including photographs, construction plans, and subcontractor documentation. Legal teams must act quickly before temporary signs and barricades disappear from the site.
Sudden Swerving to Avoid Another Vehicle or Animal
If you swerved to avoid hitting a reckless driver, pedestrian, or animal and ended up crashing solo, your instinctive reaction doesn’t make you liable it may highlight someone else’s negligence. For example, if a driver illegally changed lanes or ran a stop sign, they may be responsible for forcing you off the road.
In these cases, eyewitnesses, dashcam footage, or nearby surveillance videos are crucial. Even if the at-fault party left the scene, it may still be possible to identify them and pursue compensation for causing the conditions that led to your crash.
Private Property Hazards and Hidden Driveway Dangers
Single-vehicle crashes don’t just happen on highways; they frequently occur when a driver encounters hidden hazards on private property, such as blind driveways, uneven pavement, or unmarked obstructions. If a property owner failed to maintain a safe environment or didn’t provide adequate warnings, they may be liable.
Claims against property owners require evidence of poor maintenance, failure to warn, or known dangerous conditions. Surveillance footage, incident reports, and property records can support these claims and hold the negligent party accountable.
When Weather Compounds Liability
While weather is often cited as an “act of God” in crash reports, that doesn’t automatically mean no one can be held liable. Icy roads, low visibility, or flooded streets are sometimes worsened by poor municipal planning or neglect, such as failure to salt, drain, or properly light hazardous areas. If a city or county knew about a chronic danger and failed to act, that could open the door to legal responsibility.
Likewise, property owners and construction crews must consider how their actions affect road safety during adverse conditions. Leaving loose gravel, exposing slick surfaces, or failing to redirect water runoff can create additional risks during rain or snow. A detailed investigation may reveal how a weather-related crash had a human element of fault behind it, and that can make all the difference in pursuing compensation.
Not All Single-Car Crashes Are Solo Accidents
Sometimes, another driver causes a crash without ever touching your vehicle. A car that cuts you off, tailgates, or runs a red light might cause you to react instinctively—and crash. These are called “phantom vehicle” incidents, and they’re more common than many realize.
Though no contact occurred, the other driver’s negligence triggered your crash. If that vehicle can be identified, their insurance can be pursued. If not, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may step in, assuming you report the accident properly and gather as much evidence as possible.
The Importance of a Thorough Investigation
Insurance companies are quick to blame the driver in single-vehicle crashes. That’s why having an experienced legal team conduct a comprehensive investigation is critical. Skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, witness interviews, and accident reconstruction can all point to causes that aren’t immediately obvious.
A lawyer who knows what to look for and how to challenge assumptions can turn what looks like a no-fault accident into a valid, winnable claim. Don’t accept blame without answers. If your crash wasn’t truly your fault, you deserve a voice and a path to recovery.
