When you imagine a car accident, you most likely picture a crash involving at least two vehicles. However, many car accidents reported in New Mexico each year are single-vehicle collisions. Understanding the legal remedies you may have after a single-vehicle crash may require consulting with a knowledgeable local car accident attorney in Albuquerque, NM.
What Can Cause a Single-Vehicle Crash in New Mexico?
You are not without legal options as the victim of a single-vehicle car accident in New Mexico. It is possible that something or someone else caused your crash, even if you are the only driver who suffered property damage or physical injuries.
Various factors can contribute to a single-vehicle car accident in Albuquerque:
- Dangerous road conditions
- Road defects, such as potholes
- Roadside construction zones
- Defective or dangerous vehicle parts
- Poor vehicle maintenance by the owner
- Another driver’s mistakes
- Bad weather
- Crossing animals
Determining the cause of the crash is one of the first steps necessary if you wish to recover compensation for a single-vehicle accident in New Mexico. Understanding causation can give you an idea of where to file a claim for your losses.
Can I Hold Someone Else Liable for a Single-Vehicle Accident?
New Mexico is a fault-based car insurance state. Under this insurance system, the person or party at fault for causing a car accident is responsible for paying. A single-vehicle car accident is unique in that it typically does not involve another driver.
However, this does not mean you are left without options for making a financial recovery. Several other parties could be found at least partially responsible, depending on the circumstances.
Phantom Driver
If another driver made a careless error that forced you to take evasive action to avoid a collision, resulting in you crashing your car, the other driver could be held liable. This is true even if your cars never physically touched (a “no-contact” crash).
The Government
Roads in New Mexico can contain dangerous defects that cause single-vehicle car accidents. Examples include potholes, cracks, debris, dangerous construction zones, malfunctioning traffic lights and missing signage. The government agency responsible for road maintenance could be held liable if it knew about the defect but failed to remedy it in a timely manner.
An Auto Manufacturer
Every year, hundreds of car accidents are caused by defective auto parts. Examples include defective brakes, tires, engines, steering systems and electrical systems. If your single-vehicle crash is traced back to an automobile defect, the manufacturer or distributor could be held liable with a product liability claim.
A Business or Employer
Finally, it may be possible to hold a business accountable if it was responsible for the safety of the motor vehicle. If you were driving a vehicle owned by a rental car company or your employer, for example, the business could be held liable for an accident caused by negligence such as inadequate vehicle maintenance or poor employee training.
When to Seek Legal Advice
On a legal level, many things separate a single-vehicle accident from a car accident involving more than one vehicle in New Mexico. It is important to be prepared for these differences before you begin the insurance claims process.
An Albuquerque car accident attorney can represent you during a claim or lawsuit to pursue fair financial compensation from another party. Your attorney can protect your rights in the face of challenges such as an insurance company blaming you for the crash or denying coverage. For immediate assistance after a single-vehicle accident in New Mexico, contact The Fine Law Firm for a free case review.