South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
We tend to assume that car accidents always involve two or more vehicles but this is simply not the case. Many accidents are single vehicle accidents that, as the name suggests, only involve one vehicle. If you have been hurt in a single vehicle accident, do not assume that you don’t have rights. Our Miami auto accident attorneys understand how to scrutinize your case to determine your eligibility for compensation. You can rest assured that we will not leave any stone un-turned when devising a legal strategy to protect the rights of our clients.
A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report indicates that a Panama City Beach man was killed in an accident in which his truck flipped over in Walton County. FHP says the accident took place on U. S. Highway 98 last month. According to law enforcement, a 28-year-old man was traveling west when his car veered onto the shoulder of the road. Even though the driver tried to regain control, his vehicle started rotating counter clockwise and ultimately flipped over in the middle of the highway. Tragically, the man suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital where he later died.
After single vehicle accidents, it is often assumed that the driver is at fault since no other vehicle is involved in the crash. However, this is not always true. Many different factors outside of your control can cause or contribute to these accidents or make them worse, including but not limited to:
- Improperly maintained roads (i.e., potholes);
- Animals on the road;
- The negligence of another driver (i.e., a driver cuts you off and you swerve to avoid a collision but end up crashing into a wall);
- Flying objects (i.e., debris falling off a truck);
- Defective car parts (i.e., brakes failing); and/or
- Poorly placed signs.
In cases where a single-vehicle was caused by someone else’s negligence, you will likely be able to sue. For instance, a government entity which is supposed to maintain the roads may be liable for negligence if a pothole caused or contributed to the single-vehicle accident. In such a scenario, the plaintiff has the burden of proving the following: i) the defendant owed plaintiff a duty of care; ii) the defendant breached the duty of care; iii) the defendant’s breach was the direct cause of the single vehicle wreck and plaintiff’s harm. All of these elements need to be present in order to prevail on a negligence claim.
Under Florida law, a plaintiff may seek compensation for his or her damages including property damage, medical costs, lost wages and more. In rare cases, an accident victim may also be entitled to punitive damages. You should note that damages will be different in every case depending on the specifics of that case.
Single vehicle accidents are just as scary and serious as any other type of accident on the road. If you were involved in a single vehicle accident, we can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our seasoned Miami car accident attorneys will investigate the accident and work with the necessary experts to preserve evidence and get to the bottom of what happened. We are dedicated to getting our South Florida Clients the compensation they rightfully deserve for their harm. To schedule a free consultation regarding your legal matter, call us today at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or contact us online.