Single-Vehicle Accident: Who is Liable?
Experienced New Jersey Injury Attorney Helping Victims of One-vehicle Accidents get Compensation
If you have been injured in a single-vehicle accident, can you still seek to recover financial compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and other losses? Maybe. As with all vehicle collisions, the answer depends upon the specific cause (or causes) of the accident.
Seeking Financial Compensation After a Single-Vehicle Accident
After being involved in a single-vehicle accident, it is easy to assume that you must have been to blame. After all, you were the only one involved in the accident, so you must be the only one responsible, right? Not necessarily.
In most cases, there are three potential issues that can lead to someone else being to blame in a single-vehicle accident:
- Third-party driver negligence
- Negligent road construction or maintenance
- Vehicle defects
1. Third-Party Driver Negligence
The fact that no one hit you does not mean that no one else is to blame in the accident. Maybe you were run off of the road by a careless or distracted driver. Or, maybe you had no choice but to veer off of the road in order to avoid a drunk driver who flew through an intersection without the right of way. There are countless scenarios where negligent drivers can cause accidents without actually being involved in a vehicle-to-vehicle collision.
In these accidents, in order to recover compensation, you will need to be able to identify the negligent driver. Or, if you can’t, you will need to file a claim under your uninsured/underinsured motorist policy. In either case, your best chance to secure a financial recovery is to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
2. Negligent Road Construction or Maintenance
Negligent road construction and inadequate road maintenance are common factors in single-vehicle accidents, as well. If you crashed your car, truck, or motorcycle because of an issue with the road itself (such as a low shoulder, poor lighting, missing signage, a pothole, or standing water), you may be entitled to financial compensation from the government authority that is responsible for the road.
3. Vehicle Defects
Vehicle defects are common factors in single-vehicle accidents. From brakes to airbags, vehicle defects are far more common than most people realize, with millions of vehicles being recalled every year. If a vehicle defect caused your accident, the dealership, your vehicle’s manufacturer, the manufacturer of the specific defective part, and a variety of other companies could all be to blame for your accident-related injuries and losses.
What If I Was Partially at Fault?
Even if you were partially at fault in the accident, under New Jersey law, you could still be entitled to financial recovery. New Jersey follows a rule known as “modified comparative fault,” which means that accident victims can seek compensation as long as they are not more than 50 percent responsible for causing their own injuries. Apportioning fault in a single-vehicle car accident requires a thorough factual investigation and careful legal analysis, and it is important that you not make any assumptions about your rights until you speak with an experienced attorney.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you would like more information about pursuing a claim for financial compensation after a single-vehicle accident, we encourage you to contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson for a free, no-obligation consultation. To speak with one of our experienced attorneys in confidence, call (201) 928-0300 or inquire online today.