Most motor vehicle accidents — about 70% — involve two or more cars or other vehicles. Single vehicle accidents account for just under 30% of crashes . However, those one-car accidents can be very serious. More than 26% of traffic fatalities occur in single vehicle accidents.
Sometimes, those accidents involve others, such as pedestrians or bicyclists. But most single vehicle crash fatalities involve collisions with fixed objects. The second most common cause of single vehicle fatalities is non-collision events like rollovers.
If you’ve been in a collision with another driver, you probably know that you should contact a Jacksonville car accident lawyer right away. After a single vehicle accident, you may be less sure. However, many single vehicle accidents are at least partly caused by someone else. Consulting a local car crash lawyer is the best way to find out whether someone else may be responsible for your injuries–and for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in the Jacksonville area, you’ll want to get advice from an experienced injury lawyer right away. In addition to helping identify possible responsible parties, your car accident attorney can:
The best car accident lawyer for your case will be one with extensive experience with injury claims, civil trial experience, and knowledge of the Jacksonville court system and local rules. The attorneys at Harrell & Harrell focus our practice on assisting people who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents and through other types of negligence.
We understand the intricacies of single car accident claims, and we understand how important it is for you to have knowledgeable guidance from the start. That’s why we offer free consultations to car accident victims in and around Jacksonville. You can schedule yours right now by calling (904) 251-1111 or filling out our contact form.
Determining liability in a single vehicle accident can be more complex than when you’ve been hit by another car. One of the first things a car accident attorney can do for you is to walk through what happened and identify possible responsible parties. Some examples of other parties who may be wholly or partly responsible for an accident involving a single motor vehicle include:
This isn’t a complete list of possible responsible parties, just some of the most common examples. The best source of information about whether someone else may be at fault in your single vehicle accident is an experienced auto accident lawyer.
Often, the people injured or killed in single vehicle accidents are the drivers or passengers in the vehicle. But some single vehicle accidents involve a motor vehicle and a pedestrian or bicyclist. In that situation, either or both parties may be liable for the accident. For example, a pedestrian who is hit by a car may have a claim against a driver who hit them because they were operating the vehicle negligently. However, a negligent pedestrian or bicyclist may be at least partly responsible for the crash.
Every case is different, and the damages you may recover will depend on your actual losses. That includes both economic and non-economic losses.
Some common types of economic losses include medical expenses associated with the injury, lost wages, and any lost future earning capacity due to the injury, and the cost of household assistance or special equipment you need due to the injury. Non-economic damages are losses that are not monetary, such as pain and suffering or loss of quality of life.
The exact types and amounts of damages that may be available depend on a wide range of factors, and sometimes require the use of expert witnesses to establish. No lawyer can promise you a specific settlement or jury award. However, an experienced local auto accident lawyer can give you a general idea of the types of compensation you can seek, as well as information about how similar cases in your area have been settled or treated by local juries.
Automobile insurance is intended to provide protection for people who are hurt in car accidents. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always play fair. The less they pay out in claims, the more profit they make. So, it’s in their best interest to find reasons to deny or minimize your claim. That’s true even when you’re dealing with your own insurance company, after you’ve paid premiums for years.
The best way to protect yourself and your car accident claim is to get an experienced advocate on your side before you interact with the insurance company. To learn more about how Harrell & Harrell can help, contact us online or call us today at (904) 251-1111.
Navigating a personal injury claim can be overwhelming. Our quick, easy-to-understand videos cover the most common questions we hear from clients — so you can feel informed and confident every step of the way.
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