Single Vehicle Accidents
Santa Ana Car Accident Attorneys Experienced in Handling Single Vehicle Collisions
Single vehicle accidents can be just as dangerous as accidents involving multiple vehicles. These accidents frequently leave drivers and passengers with serious injuries, facing substantial costs and struggling to understand how they will move on. In this situation, it is important to know that there are options available, and an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer can help you.
What can a lawyer do to help after a single vehicle accident? Even though you weren’t involved in a collision with another vehicle, you may still be entitled to compensation for your accident-related losses. But, if you have a claim, asserting your legal rights won’t be easy. An experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer will be able to evaluate your options; and, if you have a claim, your lawyer will be able to fight for just compensation on your behalf.
Options for Recovering Your Losses After a Single Vehicle Accident
What are the options you might have available? While every single vehicle accident case is unique, some examples of potential sources of financial compensation in these cases include:
- MedPay Insurance – If you have Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage under your auto insurance policy, now is the time to use it. MedPay covers accident-related medical expenses regardless of fault. While MedPay policy limits are usually relatively low, filing a claim can help cover your costs in the immediate aftermath of a single vehicle accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage – If you were run off of the road by a driver who fled the scene, you may be able to file an uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) claim—provided you have this coverage available. When you file a UIM claim, your insurance company “stands in the shoes” of the insurance company of the driver who is responsible for your losses.
- A Claim for a Vehicle Defect – Did an issue with your car, truck or SUV cause you to crash? Or, were your injuries worse than they should have been because of an airbag or seatbelt failure? If so, you may have a claim against your vehicle’s manufacturer.
- A Claim for a Road Defect – Road defects play a role in many single vehicle accidents as well. If a pothole, low shoulder, construction zone or any other roadway hazard caused you to crash, then the government agency or contractor that is responsible for the road could also be responsible for your injuries.
- Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs that pay benefits to eligible individuals who are unable to work due to accident-related injuries. If your injuries prevent you from working, our Santa Ana car accident attorneys can determine if you are eligible for SSD and/or SSI.
- Workers’ Compensation – If you were working when you got injured, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. While car accidents during the morning and evening commute generally aren’t covered under workers’ compensation, there are exceptions, and it will be well worth considering all of the options that are available to you.
As you can see, these won’t necessarily be options in all cases. But, there are a lot of potential options for seeking compensation after a single vehicle car accident, and our lawyers can help you seek just compensation by any and all means available. Since it costs nothing to learn about your legal rights, you have no reason not to seek advice from an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer.
Passenger Claims in Single Vehicle Accident Cases
What if you were injured in a single vehicle accident while riding as a passenger? Generally speaking, all of the options listed above apply to passengers as well. If you have auto insurance, it covers you while you are a passenger; and, if you were injured by a vehicle or road defect, it doesn’t matter where you were sitting when the accident happened. Likewise, SSD, SSI and workers’ compensation benefits are also available to eligible individuals regardless of whether they were driving or riding in a passenger’s seat when they got injured.
But, passengers have another option, too: If the driver of the vehicle in which you were riding was negligent, you may be able to file a claim under his or her insurance policy. Drivers’ liability insurance policies cover all victims—including passengers riding in their vehicles. With this in mind, some examples of potential grounds for seeking insurance coverage in this scenario include:
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Impaired driving
- Reckless driving
While you may be hesitant to file a claim if you were riding with a friend, family member, neighbor or coworker, it is important to remember that this type of situation is exactly why we have insurance—to protect people when things go wrong. If you are facing substantial and long-term losses, your family member or acquaintance will almost certainly want you to take advantage of the coverage he or she has available. Hiring a Santa Ana car accident lawyer will allow you to stay out of the process, and it will allow you to rely on your lawyer’s advice and representation to ensure that you are seeking the full compensation you deserve.
Also, while filing a claim under the driver’s insurance policy is one option, you may have other options as a passenger as well. Single vehicle accidents involving buses, taxis, Uber and Lyft vehicles, drunk drivers and other circumstances can all provide additional options for seeking just compensation. Our Santa Ana car accident attorneys can help you understand all of your options, and we can help you make informed decisions about what to do next.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation with a Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer
If you need to learn about your options for seeking financial compensation after a single vehicle accident in Southern California, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer, call 714-400-2000 or contact us online today.