After being injured in an accident, the first thing you may want to know is “Can I recover compensation for a single-car accident in Salt Lake City?” This is a complicated question, and the answer depends entirely on what caused your wreck.

Given how complicated single-car crash cases can be, it is wise to speak with an auto wreck attorney from Craig Swapp & Associates as soon as possible.

 

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance Will Help

Because Utah is a no-fault state for car insurance, drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This means that your auto insurance policy will have a provision to pay for your medical bills if you’re in a wreck. PIP insurance applies regardless of who was at fault for the accident, so even when it was just you in the wreck, some of your medical bills will be paid for and this benefit will kick in right away.

The problem is that PIP insurance typically has a lower policy limit that will not be enough to pay for all of your medical bills, which is why most injured people will still file a personal injury lawsuit against the individual responsible for the wreck.

 

Single-Car Crashes and Personal Injury Claims

To file a lawsuit after being hurt in an accident, someone else needs to be responsible for your wreck. Many people assume that if they were the only one involved in the accident, that no one else could be to blame. This is not necessarily the case. There are several scenarios where you could be innocent, even if no other vehicles were involved in the crash.

To determine if you can recover compensation for a one-car collision, we need to investigate the crash to determine if there were any external factors involved that were caused by someone else’s actions or inaction. In single-car accidents, we often find that some of the following parties are at fault:

  • Entity Responsible for Road Maintenance – The government is tasked with maintaining the roads to certain safety standards and failing to do so could make them liable for an accident. An example of this would be a shoulder drop off that was made too steep.
  • Construction Crews – Road construction can create dangerous situations, especially when crews aren’t following safety protocols by failing to put cones up or direct traffic appropriately.
  • Part or Tire Manufacturer – Your tires, brakes, and all of the other parts of your vehicle need to be manufactured to safe standards. If a part malfunctioned and caused your wreck, the manufacturer could be negligent.
  • Car Manufacturer – In the case of a product defect, we will need to determine if the auto manufacturer was to blame due to poor construction or prior knowledge.
  • Other Driver – If you were forced into a single-car accident because another driver was being reckless and forced you off the road, they could still be negligent, even if your two vehicles never collided.

 

You Could Receive Compensation

If we can prove that someone else was to blame for your single-vehicle wreck, you can seek compensation for your injuries by filing a personal injury lawsuit. This could include money for any of the following that apply to your situation:

  • Medical bills, both current and future
  • Lost wages and reduced earning potential
  • Financial losses and expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost enjoyment of life

After determining that you have a case, we can review all of the ways that your life has been impacted by your injuries and place an initial value on your claim.

 

Contact an Auto Wreck Attorney

If someone else was to blame for your single-car accident, you can hold them accountable by seeking financial compensation for your damages and losses. To discuss your case in greater detail, complete the form below to schedule a free consultation or call Craig Swapp & Associates at 1-800-404-9000.