Not all auto accidents involve other vehicles. In fact, a collision with a tree or a streetlight can be just as damaging or catastrophic. But this raises questions — does the driver face any legal consequences for such a collision, or can they seek compensation if they’re injured? This post will answer these questions.
What to do after you collide with a tree or streetlight
Single-vehicle accidents are just as common as multi-vehicle accidents. While keeping streets safe and sustainable is our moral duty, your actions after a crash play a crucial role in the insurance claim or legal action you decide to pursue. Here are a few things to take care of in case your vehicle accidentally collides with a tree or a street pole:
- check for injuries of co-passengers and call an ambulance if someone is seriously injured;
- call the police and cooperate in the investigation;
- document the scene and collate all the evidence in case you plan to file an insurance claim;
- talk to any eyewitnesses present and take pictures if you feel you were not at fault.
Do insurance policies cover collisions with objects?
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident hitting an object, tree, or road debris on the road, the first set of questions that come to your mind may be: Will my auto insurance policy cover the costs of damage repair? What’s the auto accident injury claims process like? In most cases, the insurer will cover the damage expenses if you fulfill certain conditions:
- You carry liability insurance (under state-mandated basic insurance) that’ll cover any injuries caused to another person or property damage.
- You carry collision coverage, and the damage value of the vehicle is less than its total current value, in which case the insurer will pay for the repair/replacement based on the coverage limit (less your deductible).
- You carry bodily injury coverage that’ll cover any medical costs you incurred from the accident.
Things to consider before filing a claim
Seeking compensation from auto accidents is a complicated task. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind while you file a claim in case of a single-car collision:
- You should know what you’re covered for in your auto insurance.
- You may have to pay certain deductibles.
- Your insurance premiums may go up on policy renewal if you’re considered at fault in the collision.
- You may be better off paying for repairs on your own rather than filing a claim if the cost of the damage is less than your deductible.
You may be denied coverage
It can be difficult to understand auto insurance policies. Your insurance company can reject your auto accident injury claim for many reasons. It’s important to note these instances where you may be denied coverage or legally charged in case of a single-car accident:
- Your claim is greater than the coverage limits.
- You flee the scene and fail to report the accident.
- You were driving under the influence, violating safe driving laws.
- You intentionally damaged an object on the road.
- You were driving recklessly or without a valid driver’s license.
- You didn’t report the accident immediately to the police and your insurer.
- You provided false information – either while purchasing the insurance or disclosing the accident details.
How can lawyers help in single-vehicle car crashes
You may feel you’re not at fault for the accident — you were trying to avoid a crash with a reckless driver, dealing with unsafe road conditions or bad weather, or you faced a vehicle defect/malfunction. Seeking help from an expert auto accident attorney will help you defend yourself. The lawyer can also help raise a complaint at your state’s insurance department if you feel your claim was wrongly denied or you were inadequately compensated.
If you’re on the lookout for an “auto accident attorney near me,” get in touch with LegalASAP today. We can connect you with our network of experienced auto accident injury lawyers who can review your case. You can also take our free evaluation to see if you may qualify.
