Been in a Single-Car Accident? 4 Steps to Take to Protect Your Rights
When you think of car accidents, those involving at least two cars probably come to mind. However, not all car accidents involve multiple cars. Some accidents involve only a single car. However, it's not always easy to know what to do after a single-car accident. Unfortunately, missteps after a single-car accident can undermine your ability to receive compensation. If you're involved in a single-car accident, you need to take steps to protect your rights. Here are four steps that will help you avoid mistakes after a single-car accident.
File a Police Report
If you've been involved in a single-car accident, the first thing you need to do is file a police report. This is especially important if you feel that you're not at fault for the accident. Many people wrongly assume that the driver is always at fault for a single-car accident, but that's not necessarily the case. Road conditions, mechanical failure, or even other drivers, can all create situations that can lead to single-car accidents. That's why you need to file the police report. The police report will serve as the foundation for your accident investigation.
Have Your Car Towed
If you're involved in a single-car accident, and you believe that mechanical failure caused the accident, you need to have your car towed. If the car is still able to be driven, you might think that it's safe to drive yourself home from the scene of the accident, but that's not the case. First, if your car suffered mechanical failure, it's not safe to drive. Second, driving your car home may undermine your claim that mechanical failure caused the accident. To avoid problems, have your car towed to the nearest accident repair shop.
Contact Your Insurance
If you've sustained injuries or vehicle damage during a single-car accident, it's important to file an insurance claim. In most cases, the insurance company will cover the cost of repairing your car. However, if you believe that your car was damaged due to mechanical failure, or road conditions, they may be able to provide additional assistance.
Hire an Accident Attorney
Finally, if you're recovering from a single-car accident, don't wait to hire an auto accident attorney, especially if you don't feel that you're at fault for the incident. For instance, if you believe that road conditions, mechanical failure, or the actions of another driver, resulted in your single-car accident, an attorney can help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.