A Lake City woman recently died in a single car accident, while three others suffered serious injuries. What happened?
In the early morning hours of Mar. 4, the four women were traveling in a Hyundai Sonata in eastern Suwannee County. At 12:25 a.m. the driver crossed over the road’s shoulder and hit a culvert. The vehicle flipped several times, then landed on its roof.
One woman was ejected from the vehicle as it flipped, and she died at the scene. The driver and two other passengers were taken to a Gainesville hospital with serious conditions. Everyone was wearing a seat belt except the woman who was ejected from the vehicle.
When you hear a story like this, you probably assume that the driver was responsible for the crash. After all, if there was no other vehicle involved, that has to be the case, right?
Not necessarily.
In this post, we’ll talk about the two main reasons single-car accidents occur in Florida, as well as how a skilled attorney can help you if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence.
Common Reasons for Florida Single-Car Accidents
The reasons for single car accidents are typically grouped into two categories: driver’s fault and another’s negligence. Let’s look at each one in detail.
Driver’s Fault
Most single-car accidents do tend to result from driver error. Here are some of the many reasons the driver can cause a single-car accident.
Distracted driving
Any number of distractions can cause you to take your eyes off the road, which can cause an accident. If you were texting, talking on the phone, eating, grooming yourself, fiddling with the dashboard controls, or reaching for something, you were distracted from driving.
Drunk driving
At the time of the accident, if your blood alcohol concentration level was 0.08 or higher, you were driving under the influence of alcohol.
Recklessness
If you were speeding or driving in an aggressive manner when the accident occurred, you may not be able to seek damages, or your compensation may be reduced.
Another’s Negligence
Yes, that’s right. Even in a single-car accident, it is possible that the negligence of someone other than the driver may have caused the crash and any subsequent injuries. If you can prove that this was the case in your crash, you may be able to hold them liable for damages. Here are several examples of single-car accident negligence cases.
Road hazards
It’s possible that a malfunctioning signal, an absent road sign, a pothole, or faulty road design caused your crash. In these situations, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the government. These cases require special filing procedures and deadlines, so check with a knowledgeable attorney right away if road problems caused your accident.
Another reason road problems occur is due to a spill or leak from a truck. If your accident was caused by these conditions, the trucking company may be held liable for your damages. Again, it’s wise to seek the counsel of an experienced Florida injury attorney for complex cases like this.
Defective parts
If your vehicle malfunctioned and the accident occurred as a result, you may be able to hold the automobile manufacturer responsible for your damage. Depending on the type of problem, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit. A skilled lawyer can help you navigate a complicated case like this.
Call today for a free consultation with our legal team. We will help you understand if your accident is due to someone else’s negligence, and whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.
About the Author:
Since 1994, seasoned litigation and trial lawyer Anthony B. White has helped thousands of accident victims seek damages due to injuries sustained as a result of another party’s negligence. Included in America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals and selected to the 2012, 2013, and 2014 editions of Florida Super Lawyers, Mr. White specializes in car accidents, insurance disputes, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice cases. He is a longstanding member of the Florida Justice Association and the American Association for Justice and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Broward County Justice Association.