Atlanta Single-Vehicle Accidents Attorney for Georgia Victims

ATLANTA SINGLE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT INJURY ATTORNEY

An Experienced Auto Injury Attorney for Single Vehicle Accidents in Georgia

Not all car wrecks or accidents involve multiple vehicles. As attentive as we may be, there are times when tragedy may strike. A variety of risks, including weather, avoiding another crash, or simply losing control of your vehicle due to a tire blowout can cause the same injuries as a multi-vehicle accident. These cases have unique elements of recovery that may become more complicated as the case moves forward.

What Is A Single-Vehicle Car Crash?

A single-vehicle car accident is an accident that causes damage to only one car, motorcycle, truck, or other vehicle. A driver may be liable for a single-vehicle accident if their actions are found to be the proximate cause of the crash. Proximate cause means that the driver’s own actions set the events in motion to cause the crash.

Examples of single-vehicle accidents include:

  • Running off the road.
  • Spinning out without striking anything.
  • Hitting something on the side of the road, like a tree or guardrail.
  • Flipping over the vehicle.

Although in most cases, drivers are responsible for their single-vehicle accidents, it’s not always the case. There are times that an attentive and conscientious driver might still wind up in a crash. When that happens to you, you may have the right to recover from the responsible party. Knowing your rights after a single-vehicle accident can make all the difference for a victim seeking to build a case.

Proving Negligence & Causation in Single-Vehicle Car Accidents

Many of us assume that in a single-vehicle accident, the driver will be found to be at fault. However, there are instances where a driver in a single-vehicle accident may be found not to be responsible. If issues such as potholes, malfunctioning road signs due to improper road maintenance, or dangerous roadway conditions are found to have contributed to or caused the accident, the driver may have a legal claim against the responsible entity.

In order to prove negligence played a factor in your single-vehicle car accident, your attorney will need to establish the following elements:

  • A duty of care existed to the victim, and the defendant owed the victim a level of responsibility.
  • The defendant breached the duty of care and responsibility to the victim.
  • That breach directly caused the victim’s injuries.
  • The victim suffered damages that resulted from the breach of care.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Single-Vehicle Accidents?

Some examples of defendants in a single-vehicle accident case may include:

Employer of the Driver

Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer is responsible for the negligent conduct of an employee who was acting in the course and scope of employment. We see this a lot in truck accident cases. There’s also the possibility an employer may be not just vicariously negligent but directly negligent if, for instance, the company failed to properly vet its employees or required workers to be in constant contact via their smartphones, even while driving. In single-vehicle crashes, we’d see this mostly filed by injured pedestrians, bicyclists, or survivors of those killed. Passengers (assuming they are employees, too) and drivers would most likely be covered via workers’ compensation coverage.

Vehicle Owner

Owners of vehicles can be liable for a crash even if they weren’t the one driving. There’s the family purpose doctrine, which, as noted in 2007 by the Georgia Court of Appeals in Hicks v. Newman, imposes liability for the negligence of an immediate family member using the vehicle for a family purpose when a vehicle is maintained by the owner for the use and convenience of his/her family.

Vehicle owners can also be held liable when they give permission for others to use their car (permissive use doctrine), when they negligently entrust the vehicle to another, knowing they may be a danger on the road (negligent entrustment) and even if they fail to take steps to prevent reasonably foreseeable theft, as the Georgia Court of Appeals established in the 1958 case of Roach v. Dozier.

Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub Owner, Social Host

If an alcohol vendor or social host serves drinks to a person who is either underage or visibly intoxicated, knowing that person is likely to drive from that location, that person/business could be held liable for a single-vehicle crash under Georgia’s dram shop law.

Compensation & Damages Recoverable in Single-Vehicle Accident Injury Cases

A variety of injuries occur in single-vehicle car crashes. You may need extensive medical care, or even long-term care after an accident. Fortunately, you may be able to recover some of those losses, including:

  • Medical expenses, including emergency care and ongoing treatments.
  • Lost wages.
  • Reduced or loss of earning capacity.
  • Long-term disability.
  • Property damage.
  • Pain and suffering, including emotional injuries.
  • Diminished quality of life.

From whom and exactly how much compensation is due will depend on:

  • The circumstances of the crash.
  • Whether the at-fault party(ies) had insurance, and if so, what kind and how much.
  • The victim’s own insurance.
  • The degree to which injured person was at-fault (if any fault was shared).

As you can imagine, your insurance company will do everything it can to lessen the value of your case. They may call you for a statement, monitor your social media, and even send investigators to follow you. To combat this, consult an automobile accident attorney immediately. Additionally, get medical treatment so there are records of the severity of your injuries.

If you or a loved one were injured in a single-vehicle crash, you may be entitled to financial damages. To learn more about what compensation might be available, contact Apolinsky & Associates, LLC, today to schedule your appointment.

Types of Injuries Suffered in Single-Vehicle Accidents

  • Wrongful Death Case Icon
    Wrongful Death

    If your family has suffered the wrongful death of a loved one caused by a single-vehicle car accident, then you are entitled to recover for the loss of value by the life of the deceased. A personal injury attorney will fight for your compensation.

    Read More

  • Brain Injuries Case Icon
    Brain Injuries

    Victims of traumatic brain injury resulting from a single-vehicle accident caused by another’s negligent or criminal actions should consult with an attorney as they may have grounds for an injury claim and appropriate compensation.

    Read More

  • Spinal Cord Injury Case Icon
    Spinal Cord Injury

    Single vehicle accidents can lead to catastrophic spinal cord injuries. If you suffer a spinal cord injury in a single vehicle accident caused by another’s negligence, it’s important to ensure your damages are accurately evaluated.

    Read More

  • Paralysis Case Icon
    Paralysis

    Victims of single-car accidents which result in paralysis can expect extreme financial, emotional, and physical hardships. It is crucial to seek legal aid from a dedicated personal injury attorney to receive fair compensation.

    Read More

  • Loss of Limb Case Icon
    Loss of Limb

    When an amputation results from a single vehicle accident, it may be possible to successfully pursue financial and emotional compensation from the responsible party with the help of experienced legal counsel.

    Read More

  • Back, Neck, and Disc Injuries Case Icon
    Back, Neck, and Disc Injuries

    Back, neck and disc injuries often occur after single-vehicle accidents. When such injuries are sustained from a single vehicle accident, victims may be entitled to compensation for their damages.

    Read More

  • Broken Bones Case Icon
    Broken Bones

    Victims of bone fractures caused by the impact of a single-vehicle car accident may suffer serious emotional and financial damages. If the single vehicle accident that caused a bone fracture was the result of another’s negligence, it’s essential to obtain legal counsel.

    Read More

  • Burn Injuries Case Icon
    Burn Injuries

    Single-vehicle car accidents can result in catastrophic burn injuries for victims, with many survivors sustaining scarring, life-long disabilities, and adjustment difficulties. Victims should consult with an attorney to receive fair compensation.

    Read More

Types of Injuries Suffered in Single-Vehicle Accidents

  • Wrongful Death Case Icon
    Wrongful Death

    If your family has suffered the wrongful death of a loved one caused by a single-vehicle car accident, then you are entitled to recover for the loss of value by the life of the deceased. A personal injury attorney will fight for your compensation.

    Read More

  • Brain Injuries Case Icon
    Brain Injuries

    Victims of traumatic brain injury resulting from a single-vehicle accident caused by another’s negligent or criminal actions should consult with an attorney as they may have grounds for an injury claim and appropriate compensation.

    Read More

  • Spinal Cord Injury Case Icon
    Spinal Cord Injury

    Single vehicle accidents can lead to catastrophic spinal cord injuries. If you suffer a spinal cord injury in a single vehicle accident caused by another’s negligence, it’s important to ensure your damages are accurately evaluated.

    Read More

  • Paralysis Case Icon
    Paralysis

    Victims of single-car accidents which result in paralysis can expect extreme financial, emotional, and physical hardships. It is crucial to seek legal aid from a dedicated personal injury attorney to receive fair compensation.

    Read More

  • Loss of Limb Case Icon
    Loss of Limb

    When an amputation results from a single vehicle accident, it may be possible to successfully pursue financial and emotional compensation from the responsible party with the help of experienced legal counsel.

    Read More

  • Back, Neck, and Disc Injuries Case Icon
    Back, Neck, and Disc Injuries

    Back, neck and disc injuries often occur after single-vehicle accidents. When such injuries are sustained from a single vehicle accident, victims may be entitled to compensation for their damages.

    Read More

  • Broken Bones Case Icon
    Broken Bones

    Victims of bone fractures caused by the impact of a single-vehicle car accident may suffer serious emotional and financial damages. If the single vehicle accident that caused a bone fracture was the result of another’s negligence, it’s essential to obtain legal counsel.

    Read More

  • Burn Injuries Case Icon
    Burn Injuries

    Single-vehicle car accidents can result in catastrophic burn injuries for victims, with many survivors sustaining scarring, life-long disabilities, and adjustment difficulties. Victims should consult with an attorney to receive fair compensation.

    Read More

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Georgia Single-Vehicle Accident FAQs

Who Are The Victims of Single Vehicle Accidents?

An average of four people die daily on Georgia roads – more than 1,550 in a single recent year, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. Of those killed, 17 percent were pedestrians (who most often die in single-vehicle crashes). Meanwhile, the serious injury rate for Georgia car accidents has climbed from 11.3 per 100 million miles traveled in 2007 to 17.63 million miles traveled in 2018.

It is not uncommon for passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and sometimes even the driver to recover damages for single-vehicle crashes. But the types of claims and exactly how much is recoverable will depend on:

  • The circumstances of the crash.
  • Whether there was a mechanical issue or product malfunction.
  • Whether the at-fault party had insurance, and if so, what kind and how much.
  • The claimant’s own insurance.
  • The degree to which the injured person was at-fault (if any fault was shared).

Who Is Liable For A Single Vehicle Crash?

When there is only one vehicle involved in a car accident, the legal inference is that the person in the best position to avoid the crash is the one who was driving. This is a reasonable presumption, given that 70 percent of Atlanta car accidents are the result of operator negligence and error (i.e., excessive speed/driving too fast for conditions, alcohol or drug impairment, distraction, or fatigue).

In this case, any passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists who may have been injured can file a claim against the driver.

However in some cases, the driver is not necessarily the only one responsible. In some cases, he or she may not be liable at all.

What Third Parties Can Be Held Liable In Single Vehicle Crashes?

There are numerous scenarios in which third-party defendants may find themselves partially or wholly liable for a single-vehicle crash. As Atlanta injury lawyers can explain, civil claims and litigation for crash injuries aren’t limited to a single defendant, and sometimes those injured in these crashes may claim damages from more than one defendant.

Some examples may include:

  • Employer of the driver. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior (“let the master answer”), an employer is responsible for the negligent conduct of an employee who was acting in the course and scope of employment. We see this often in truck accident cases. There’s also the possibility an employer may be not just vicariously negligent but directly negligent if, for instance, the company failed to properly vet its employees or required workers to be in constant contact via their smartphones, even while driving. In single-vehicle crashes, we’d see this mostly filed by injured pedestrians, bicyclists, or survivors of those killed. Passengers (assuming they are employees, too) and drivers would most likely be covered via workers’ compensation coverage.
  • Vehicle owner. Owners of vehicles can be liable for a crash even if they weren’t the ones driving. There’s the family purpose doctrine which, as noted in 2007 by the Georgia Court of Appeals in Hicks v. Newman, imposes liability for the negligence of an immediate family member using the vehicle for a family purpose when a vehicle is maintained by the owner for the use and convenience of his/her family. Vehicle owners can also be held liable when they give permission for others to use their car (permissive use doctrine), when they negligently entrust the vehicle to another, while aware that they may be a danger on the road (negligent entrustment), and even if they fail to take steps to prevent reasonably foreseeable theft, as the Georgia Court of Appeals established in the 1958 case of Roach v. Dozier.
  • Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub Owner, Social Host. If an alcohol vendor or social host serves drinks to a person who is either underage or visibly intoxicated knowing that person is likely to drive from that location, that person/business could be held liable for a single-vehicle crash under Georgia’s dram shop law.
  • Vehicle manufacturer. Product liability claims may be filed if a crash was caused or injuries exacerbated by a dangerous design flaw or a manufacturer defect in the vehicle itself that led to the crash or exacerbated injuries. We have seen Georgia product liability claims against auto manufacturers and auto parts makers in recent years for things like defective airbags, defective seat belts, defective brakes, defective engines, and more.
  • Government agencies. When a government agency is negligent in maintaining the road and it causes a single-vehicle accident, it may be possible to hold the government accountable. However, there are special rules for suing Georgia government agencies and there must be a waiver of sovereign immunity. It is imperative in these cases that you act swiftly (notice deadlines may be tighter) and that you only take action with the help of an experienced injury attorney.

These are just a few examples of cases where a third-party besides the driver could be liable for your crash injuries in a single-vehicle collision. Talking with an injury lawyer will allow you to examine all potential avenues of liability to ensure you receive full and fair compensation.

What Compensation Is Available For Victims Of Single Vehicle Accidents?

Victims injured in single vehicle accidents should be represented by a highly skilled Atlanta driving accident lawyer who has the experience needed to hold the insurance company accountable. At Apolinsky & Associates, LLC, we can help Georgia single vehicle driving accident victims recover money for:

  • Vehicle repairs.
  • Vehicle replacement.
  • Ambulance costs.
  • Emergency room fees.
  • All other hospital bills.
  • Required physical therapy.
  • Mental health counseling.
  • Lost income.
  • Pain and suffering.
  • Mental distress.
  • Disfigurement.
  • Loss of limb.
  • Wrongful death.

In the event that the sole, at-fault driver is not insured or does not have adequate insurance to cover the full extent of damages, injured parties should consider filing claims with their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or umbrella coverage carrier, if they have it. Consult with attorneys at Apolinsky & Associates, LLC to gain a better understanding of your options.

What Is The Georgia Statute Of Limitations For Single-Vehicle Accident Injury Claims?

Under Georgia’s statute of limitations, any personal injury lawsuit that arises from a car or truck accident or injury must be filed within 2 years (GA Code § 9-3-33). Based on this statute of limitations in Georgia, if an injured victim of a single-vehicle accident tries to file their lawsuit after the 2-year window, the court will, in most cases, refuse to hear it, and the victim loses any right to receive compensation for their injuries.

Based on this Georgia statute of limitations alone, it is best to take legal action regarding your single-vehicle accident injury as soon as possible. At Apolinsky & Associates, LLC, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers take the time to collect evidence and witness statements in pursuit of your single-vehicle accident lawsuit.