Single-car accidents fall into two categories. There are those that are caused by driver error. For example, you may be texting and driving. When people are distracted, they don’t pay attention to the road. You could lose control of your car and end up on the shoulder, crashed into a tree. In cases like this, you can’t blame anyone else for your accident. There are other cases, however, in which someone other than the driver is at fault.
The second category of single-car accidents are those that are due to the negligence of third parties. There could be something wrong with your car. Maybe the mechanic who worked on your car didn’t install your new brakes properly. There could also be a defect with the car that’s been there since it was manufactured. If this is the case, your Lake Charles car accident lawyer will pursue a claim against the manufacturer.
There are also situations where a third party caused the crash but didn’t stick around to wait for the cops. Or, they caused the accident but didn’t actually crash. Maybe they cut you off and forced you off the road. Or they threw something out the window that blocked your vision and you hit a guardrail. In any case, your Louisiana accident attorney will have to prove that someone else is responsible for your accident.
Who are the Possible Defendants in This Sort of Case?
In single-car accidents, it can be hard to prove that someone else was liable. This is because the only vehicle at the scene is yours. However, when you meet with your Lake Charles injury lawyer for the first time, they’ll get your story. They’ll try to figure out if there are any other people responsible for your accident. In order to win your case, your attorney will have to prove that the defendant caused your crash. Some of the possible defendants in your single-car accident include the following:
- Another Driver – As mentioned above, there are times when another motorist causes someone else to crash. If someone cuts you off in traffic, it could force you to crash into another vehicle. However, it can be very hard to prove these cases. You would first have to be able to identify the driver. Then you’ll need to somehow prove that they forced you to crash.
- Auto Manufacturer – If a defect with your car is what caused your crash, you can sue the auto manufacturer. Some of the common auto defects include tires, brakes, airbags and steering.
- City or Construction Company – Many times, people get into single-car accidents in construction zones. If the city is doing road work, they’ll put a lot of equipment on the road. They may also leave parts of the road unfinished. If this is what causes your accident, you can pursue the city or the company doing their construction. Just understand that it’s very hard to win a case against the city.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Louisiana
If you or your family are injured in a single-car accident in Lake Charles, you may be entitled to damages. With these cases, it really comes down to the facts. If you were primarily responsible for your claim, then you aren’t going to be able to sue anyone else. You’ll have to depend on your own insurance company to pay your claim. But if someone else did cause the crash, you may be able to file suit. The only way to know for sure is to talk to an experienced Louisiana car accident attorney.
The good news is that you can meet with an attorney for free. The lawyers at Veron Bice, LLC offer their clients a free initial consultation. This allows you to down with someone who’s handled dozens of cases like yours before. They’ll give you an honest opinion about what your options are. With a single-car accident, you may not have a legal claim at all. It’s better to know this upfront. You don’t want a lawyer promising you things that they can’t deliver. Your attorney in Lake Charles can also give you an idea of what your case might be worth.
Call and schedule your free consultation as soon as possible after your accident. This way, your case is handled properly right from the start.
