Like the name suggests, a single car accident involves only one car. Although many people wonder how it’s possible to wreck a car this way, this type of accident is actually quite common! A single car accident can happen as a result of numerous contributing factors. A driver can cause this kind of accident by being inattentive, by falling asleep, by neglecting the car’s maintenance, or by losing control of the car because of excessive speed or weather conditions.

Driver error is not the only way that a single car accident can happen, however. Frequently, single car accidents occur due to a defect in the design or manufacture of the vehicle. These defects can involve any of the car’s parts, including the accelerator, brakes, seat belts, airbags, battery, gearshift, steering column, and others. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 17.8 million products were recalled in 2012. These products weren’t insignificant: products recalled included tires, car seats, and other vehicle equipment produced by major companies, such as Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Ford, and others.¹ In March of 2013, more than 4,000 Dodge Challengers were recalled for containing battery cables that could short-circuit and cause a fire. Defective parts of a car that fail while a person is driving can easily cause an accident, as well as injuries and even death.

Unfortunately, many don’t realize that their vehicle contains a dangerous, defective part until it’s too late. To prevent this kind of accident from happening to you, make sure that you keep up-to-date with recalls. Check that the manufacturer of your vehicle has your current address so that you will be notified of any recalls. You can search for product recalls by car make and model on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SaferCar website.

In addition to the driver inside the car and the car itself, the road on which we drive can be a cause of single car accidents. It is the responsibility of federal, state, and local governments to design, construct, and maintain roadways safe for the public. In order to do so, the government has standards for a number of factors, including the width of lanes, shoulders and medians, stopping sight distances, highway drainage, highway lighting, accommodation for bicyclists and pedestrians, and more. Nonetheless, many roads are not built to standard or fall short of standards through improper maintenance and lack of funding. When this happens, unknowing drivers risk serious accidents, injury, and death on these roads through no fault of their own.

You can help stay safe by downloading our detailed guide outlining what to do if you are in a car accident. If you are injured in an accident and need legal help, download our Special Report to learn what to ask a prospective attorney.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a single car accident caused by a defective vehicle part or a dangerous road, we can help you get the recovery you need and deserve for any resulting injuries. Our Huntsville, AL car accident lawyers offer free, confidential consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we get a recovery for you.

Email us or call us at (256) 533-1667 today.

¹http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/NHTSA+Announces+More+Than+17.8+Million+Products+Recalled+in+2012