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Many accidents that occur every day in America are what we call “fender benders,” and they can ruin the day without resulting in personal injury. Some fender benders happen when it’s only your car involved. These can happen anywhere and have happened to many of us. In many cases, there are no injuries in these single-car accidents, but the property damage alone may still be significant.
You can be just as overwhelmed in a single-car accident as you can be in a multi-vehicle accident with multiple injuries. Do you need to report it? In California, you must report an accident if there are injuries or if the property damage is $1,000 or more. If the damage is minimal and no one is injured, reporting may not be required. At Arash Law, many California car accident claims that we address start with questions just like this. If you aren’t sure what to do after a car accident, call our car accident claims attorneys at (888) 488-1391 for a free case review.
What Is A Single-Vehicle Accident?
A single-vehicle accident is an accident that only involves one car. It’s for those times a deer runs in front of you, you back into something, or you just crash due to your own error or accident conditions. No other cars or parties are involved. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that in 2019, approximately 53 percent of deaths from car accidents in America were the result of a single-vehicle crash.
The state of Maine has the highest number of single-vehicle crashes in the nation, with 68 percent of fatalities in Maine occurring during a single-vehicle crash. Nebraska leads in the highest percentage of deaths in multiple-vehicle accidents at 57 percent.
Determining Fault In A Single-Vehicle Collision
California is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents. In a single-vehicle crash, there are no other drivers to investigate for fault. This means you will likely be fully responsible for the damages, unless the accident was caused by factors such as a vehicle malfunction or hazardous road conditions. The common causes of single-vehicle accidents include:
- Speeding
- Driving While Drowsy
- Drunk Driving — The NHTSA reports that, in the United States, one person dies in a drunk-driving accident every 42 minutes.
- Distracted Driving — According to the NHTSA, 3,275 people lost their lives in distraction-related crashes in 2023. Distracted driving is illegal in California.
- Bad Weather
- Driver Error
- Age — Teenagers are the most likely to be involved in single-vehicle accidents.
- High Occupancy Vehicles — Drivers are more likely to be distracted when driving with multiple passengers.
- Night Driving — Nighttime driving poses increased risks because of limited visibility and additional contributing factors.
If you are involved in a single-vehicle accident, your insurance company may cover the damages and personal injuries, depending on your policy and coverage limits. If you have been in a single-vehicle accident and need help with your insurance company, call our car accident lawyers at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here. Our California speeding and car accident lawyers will review your case for free.
Should You Report A Minor Car Accident?
In California, if you are involved in a car accident that results in more than $1,000 in property damage or any injuries, you must file a report with the DMV using the SR-1 Accident Reporting Form within 10 days. Reporting to the California Highway Patrol is only required if law enforcement did not investigate the accident at the scene.
Additionally, if there are injuries, you are required to report them, regardless of the cost of property damage. If you or anyone in your vehicle is injured, contact the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or local police for assistance. They will prepare a report, which you can later provide to your insurance company. If you do not have a copy, your insurance company or vehicle accident lawyer can obtain it directly from law enforcement.
When you have been in a single-vehicle accident, you may have a lot to do. At Arash Law, we help car accident victims handle all the paperwork and reporting as we process their insurance claims. Call our fender bender attorneys at (888) 488-1391 to find out if you have a valid case.
Your Single-Vehicle Accident And Insurance
Whether your insurance covers a single-vehicle accident depends on the type of coverage you have, the nature of the accident, and any injuries sustained. California requires drivers to carry bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, but these do not cover your own injuries or vehicle damage in a single-vehicle accident. For your medical expenses, MedPay (if you have it) may provide coverage. To repair your own car, you need collision coverage. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is not available in California.
If you have it, collision insurance may cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle after an accident. Comprehensive insurance covers damage from non-collision events, such as hitting an animal, theft, or vandalism. If you hit an animal, for example, your comprehensive insurance may cover that damage. Coverage details can vary depending on your insurance provider and the specific terms of your policy. Check your individual policy or consult your insurer for exact coverage details. You may also reach out to a car accident lawyer for guidance on understanding your insurance policies.
If your vehicle is damaged or you have medical expenses and have the appropriate coverage, consider filing a claim. Keep in mind that submitting a claim may result in higher insurance premiums, and you will likely need to pay a deductible.
Fatalities and serious injuries can occur in single-vehicle accidents. If you are managing insurance matters after a loved one’s fatal accident, you may need to file for death benefits. It is crucial to make a clear and detailed initial report to the DMV and CHP. It’s important to note that insurance claims can sometimes involve challenges or disputes.
If you are having problems pursuing an insurance claim or are not able to do the legwork yourself, give us a call. At Arash Law, our California injury attorneys can assist you through the process. Call our fatal car accident lawyers at Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Avoid Single-Vehicle Accidents
Fatal accidents occur daily on our roads, and single-vehicle crashes account for about half of all fatal motor vehicle accidents. Driver error is a leading cause of single-vehicle accidents. Another factor contributing to single-vehicle crashes is reckless driving, which includes excessive speed, driving under the influence, or engaging in aggressive maneuvers. There are several ways to help avoid them.
Be more cautious when driving, and adopt a zero-tolerance policy regarding distracted driving and drinking while driving. Distracted driving could lead to citations or charges to start, and it could also cause accidents that might kill you. Develop your own protocol for avoiding these scenarios so that when faced with the choice, you prioritize safe driving habits over immediate temptation. Avoid swerving when you encounter an animal on the road. Swerving can lead to uncertainty and may result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Even if you’ve been a careful driver for the past twenty years, it’s never too late to improve your driving habits.
Call Our California Car Accident Attorneys
Single-vehicle car accidents can be as dangerous (sometimes even more so) as multi-vehicle accidents. You may need assistance to navigate the claims process with your insurance company. Our traffic accident lawyers at Arash Law have been representing car accident victims for decades. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Our team is available to respond to inquiries. You don’t pay attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you. If there’s no settlement or verdict, you won’t owe us for our legal services. Please note that other case-related costs may still apply regardless of the outcome. Our car accident lawyers will discuss our fee arrangement during your case review and prior to signing any agreement.
