Single-Car Accident: 5 Key Steps To Take After One (2026)

What Is a Single Vehicle Accident?

A single-car accident involves just one vehicle. Depending on state laws, the term “single-car accident” can apply in instances when the only injured parties are the ones in the vehicle, or it can also apply if other parties include pedestrians and cyclists.

Some examples of these accidents are drivers ending up in ditches or hitting trees or lampposts.

You may have heard of miscellaneous accidents. A single miscellaneous car accident means a non-collision accident in which someone was still injured while operating a motor vehicle, but that vehicle didn’t hit anything. It can involve an overturned car, for example, as well as immersion in water and fire or explosions.

Common Examples of Single-Vehicle Accidents

One of the most common examples of these collisions involves hitting an object. About 20% of all collision deaths in the country occur from a vehicle leaving the road and hitting a stationary object. This could involve hitting a tree, streetlight or guardrail after losing control of the car, which can occur as a result of speeding, weather or distraction.

If you swerve to try to avoid hitting an animal, you can also end up being in a single-vehicle crash. Collisions with animals cause a significant number of fatalities every year throughout the country, but swerving to avoid these crashes can also result in catastrophic injuries.

Similarly, rollover accidents can happen due to speeding and abrupt maneuvers, and hitting debris can potentially lead to a variety of severe accidents. Another example of these crashes is a driver falling asleep at the wheel and hitting buildings or roadside objects. The same can occur with intoxicated drivers.

Steps to Take After a Single-Car Accident

After car accidents that involve only one vehicle, there are a few crucial steps to take. These are:

1. Contact emergency medical services and have them assess you at the scene
2. Call law enforcement so that you can have a police report of the crash
3. Gather evidence from the scene, including photos and videos of your injuries, the vehicle damage and road conditions
4. Let your insurer know that you were in a crash
5. Contact auto lawyers to help you fight for compensation

Although you may think that leaving the site of the accident is not a problem because there are no other vehicles involved, don’t do so. It can still be considered a hit-and-run and will hurt your claim while also putting you in conflict with the law.

What Causes Single-Car Accidents?

Single-car accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including driver errors. Distracted driving is a common cause since it can lead people to swerve to avoid hazards at the last second, which could easily send them into ditches or against guardrails and other fixed objects.

Speeding is another common cause. Driving faster than is wise for the road conditions and the speed limit increases the chances of your vehicle skidding and potentially flipping.

The same thing applies to those who drive while intoxicated. Aside from putting you at risk of getting charged with a DUI, driving under the influence impacts your reaction times and coordination.

Sometimes, however, a single-car accident fault doesn’t fall on the driver. For example, if an animal jumps in front of your car, and you swerve to avoid hitting it, only to end up crashing against a tree, you would generally not be to blame for that collision.

Who's at Fault for a Single Car Accident?

In states that function under a fault-based system for traffic accidents, it’s essential to prove who was liable for the crash. Single-car accidents may seem simple, but the driver is not always responsible for the accident. There may be third parties that could have played a role.

For example, if your brake system malfunctioned and you crashed into a lightpost, you may be entitled to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer for creating a vehicle that wasn’t safe.

And what if a large pothole causes you to lose control of the car and leads to an accident? In that case, you could file a claim against the entities in charge of road maintenance.

Reckless drivers can cause these crashes, too. If you swerved to avoid a vehicle heading toward you on a one-way street or racing through a red light, you may be the party that ends up in a collision because of this evasive maneuver. You would likely not be liable in these instances, however, because the other party was negligent.

It’s also possible to be partly responsible for the crash. In states that have comparative negligence laws, you would likely still be able to recover losses. If, for example, you were speeding when your brake system failed, you could be partly liable.

That’s not the case, however, in states that have contributory negligence laws. These states are Maryland, Alabama, Virginia, and North Carolina. Washington, D.C. is included, too. If you are in any way responsible for your losses, you will likely be barred from recovering compensation.

Road Hazards and Government Liability

If a road is in an unsafe condition, then you may not be responsible for the losses you sustained in your crash. You might be able to file a personal injury claim against the entities in charge of maintaining the roads. This usually means going against the local municipality.

Filing a lawsuit against the government can be difficult because of sovereign immunity laws. These laws prevent you from beginning legal action against the government or its employees unless the government agrees to be sued.

Personal injury claims against the government require filing a notice that you’re planning on suing. Often, there are very strict deadlines you must abide by that are much shorter than the typical statute of limitations in your state.

Another complex aspect of these cases is that you have to demonstrate that the road was unsafe, but not enough that you should have noticed and avoided driving through it. That’s a fine needle to thread. Because of this, it’s vital that you hire an attorney if you’re planning on beginning a claim against any government entities.

Does Insurance Cover Single-Car Accidents?

If you are the only one on the scene of the crash, what can you expect from the claims process? A single-car accident insurance claim would involve filing against your collision and comprehensive car insurance.

Collision insurance covers damage to your own vehicle when you’ve been in a crash, whether the accident involves another vehicle or not.

Comprehensive insurance protects you against non-collision incidents, such as natural disasters and vandalism. If a tree falls on your car or an animal hits it, this insurance would likely cover the repairs.

When it comes to the coverage of injuries accidents, ones involving single vehicles will typically mean relying on your own health insurance or personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Med pay might also apply.

If another party is liable for the accident, like a negligent pedestrian or cyclist, you may be able to pursue a claim against their insurance. This will depend on whether your state has no-fault or fault-based laws, as well as on the severity of the injuries you sustain. In rare situations, your own car might be involved in a single-car crash without you behind the wheel - for instance, if someone steals your car and crashes it. In that case, you typically won’t be held liable, but it’s important to report the theft right away. If your vehicle is damaged, uninsured motorist property damage coverage may help pay for repairs or a replacement.

Passenger Injury Claims in Single-Vehicle Accidents

A passenger who suffers an injury in a single-vehicle accident generally has the right to file a personal injury claim against whoever is responsible for the crash. If the driver was at fault, for instance, then the passenger can usually claim compensation from that driver’s liability insurance in a tort state.

In a no-fault state, the passenger can file a claim against the driver’s personal injury protection insurance to recover losses.

Get Legal Assistance After a Single-Car Accident

Whether you’ve been in a single-car rollover accident or a minor head-on crash with a fixed object, knowing what steps to take after the accident can help protect your right to recover losses. These collisions are often complex, and fault is not always easy to establish on your own.

At ConsumerShield, we can connect you with car accident lawyers in your area who have experience with these kinds of crashes. We can offer the assistance you need when selecting an attorney, so don’t wait. Contact ConsumerShield to learn about the services we provide.