Thinking of car accidents usually conjures up images of two or more vehicles colliding with one another, but single-vehicle accidents occur more frequently than you might expect. Around 56% of car crashes in New York involve only one vehicle. Fault for this type of accident is often automatically placed on the driver since they are the only vehicle involved, but this is not always an accurate representation of the cause of single-vehicle crashes.

Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices has been helping clients recover damages for car accidents for over three decades. If you’ve been in a single-vehicle accident, our legal team can help you navigate the insurance claims process and advocate for fair compensation for your injuries.

How Single-vehicle Accidents Occur

Just as with any other type of accident, single-vehicle crashes can be caused by things like speeding, driving under the influence, and drowsy driving. While driver distraction, error, or negligence may contribute to some single-vehicle accidents, these crashes are not all caused by the driver’s mistake. Often, there are external factors or third-party influences that cause drivers to wreck, including:

  • No-contact accidents or phantom drivers
  • Road hazards, such as debris or potholes
  • Jaywalking pedestrians
  • Inclement weather conditions
  • Defects in the vehicle
  • Flying debris, like truck cargo or tires

No-contact accidents occur when one driver does something reckless or negligent and causes another driver to crash even though the two vehicles did not make physical contact. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as a phantom driver or phantom vehicle. Swerving to avoid another vehicle is a common cause of single-vehicle accidents.

An experienced car accident attorney can help you identify and prove what the cause of your accident was to minimize your liability and maximize your compensation.

Injuries and Compensation Related to Single-vehicle Accidents

Car accidents, both single-vehicle and multi-vehicle, can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. After an accident, you may be suffering from injuries like:

  • Fractures
  • Bruises and lacerations
  • Spine injuries
  • Concussions and head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Burns
  • Internal organ damage
  • Paralysis
  • Amputations
  • Nerve damage
  • Vision or hearing loss

Recovering compensation for these injuries is essential to your health. Not only does financial stress impede healing and possibly exacerbate existing conditions, but the expenses associated with medical treatments and missed work can add up quickly. You need an experienced NYC personal injury attorney to fight for fair compensation that will allow you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

You may be able to receive a monetary award for the economic and non-economic damages, including:

  • Emergency room and ambulance bills
  • Surgical and other medical expenses associated with your injuries
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
  • Current and future lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering

Working with an attorney increases your chances of recovering the maximum compensation available to you. Our extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of New York laws means we can accurately determine the value of your accident claim, taking into account every factor that will impact your recovery.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help After a Single-vehicle Accident

Even if you were the only person involved in an accident, it is still beneficial to have a personal injury attorney to represent you. Among the many tasks that Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices can handle on your behalf are:

  • Conducting an investigation into the accident
  • Completing a financial assessment of your case
  • Coordinating with experts that can provide additional insight into your accident
  • Negotiating settlement conditions with your insurance company
  • Managing injury claims and court filings
  • Keeping track of important deadlines
  • Consulting with medical professionals who can testify as expert witnesses
  • Representing you in court if no settlement is reached

Insurance companies are not on your side. They are for-profit companies that prioritize their bottom line, and paying you as little as possible for your accident is their goal. You deserve to have someone in your corner who can fight for a fair outcome.

Contact Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices to schedule a free consultation with one of our New York car accident attorneys.