You swerved to avoid debris in the road and hit a guardrail. Or you lost control on a curve and struck a tree. Single-car accidents—where no other vehicle is involved—account for over half of all fatal crashes. Understanding liability and coverage options helps you recover compensation even when there's no obvious at-fault driver to blame.

What Is a Single-Car Accident?

A single-car accident involves only one vehicle, though other parties may still share liability. Common types include:

  • Running off the road into ditches, trees, or embankments
  • Hitting fixed objects (guardrails, poles, barriers, buildings)
  • Rollover accidents
  • Crashes caused by avoiding road hazards or animals
  • Loss of control due to weather or road conditions

Who Is Liable in a Single-Car Accident?

Just because you were the only driver doesn't mean the accident was entirely your fault. Third parties may share liability:

Government entities may be liable for:

  • Poorly maintained roads (potholes, crumbling pavement)
  • Missing or inadequate signage
  • Defective guardrails or barriers
  • Dangerous road design

Vehicle or parts manufacturers may be liable for:

  • Tire blowouts due to manufacturing defects
  • Brake system failures
  • Steering component defects
  • Airbags that fail to deploy or deploy improperly

Other drivers may be liable if they:

  • Forced you off the road (even without contact)
  • Dropped debris that caused you to swerve
  • Cut you off, triggering evasive action

Property owners may be liable for hazards that extend onto roadways, such as overgrown vegetation blocking sight lines or objects that fell from their property.

Insurance Coverage for Single-Car Accidents

When you're at fault or no third party is liable, you'll rely on your own insurance:

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle regardless of fault. Without collision coverage, you pay for repairs or replacement yourself.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay covers your medical expenses regardless of fault. This is crucial in single-car accidents where there's no other driver's insurance to claim against.

Liability coverage won't help you in a single-car accident—it only pays for damage you cause to others.

When Another Party Caused Your Single-Car Crash

If a third party is responsible, you can pursue a claim against them:

Hit-and-run or forced off road: If another driver caused your crash without contact, gather any evidence—witness statements, dashcam footage, nearby surveillance cameras. Your uninsured motorist coverage may apply if you can't identify the other driver.

Road defects: Government claims have strict notice deadlines, sometimes as short as 30-90 days. Document the defect immediately with photos and report it to the relevant agency.

Vehicle defects: Preserve your vehicle and damaged components. Don't repair or dispose of the car until it's been inspected by an expert if you suspect a defect caused the crash.

Proving Fault in Single-Car Accidents

Evidence is critical when third-party liability exists:

  • Photograph the scene: road conditions, debris, tire marks, damage to your car
  • Get the police report—officers may note contributing factors
  • Identify witnesses who saw what happened
  • Preserve dashcam or surveillance footage
  • Document weather conditions at the time

Common Challenges in Single-Car Accident Claims

Insurers often assume driver error in single-car crashes. You may need to prove a third party caused the accident, which requires evidence and sometimes expert analysis. Accident reconstructionists can determine factors like speed, road conditions, and mechanical failures.

Injuries in Single-Car Accidents

Single-car accidents often result in serious injuries because:

  • Impacts with fixed objects can be more severe than car-to-car collisions
  • Rollovers have high ejection and fatality rates
  • Run-off-road crashes may leave victims stranded or undiscovered

Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Document everything for your insurance claim or any third-party liability claim.

Conclusion

Single-car accidents don't automatically mean you're at fault. Investigate whether road conditions, vehicle defects, or another driver contributed to your crash. Carry adequate collision and PIP/MedPay coverage to protect yourself when no third party is liable. If you suspect someone else caused your accident, gather evidence quickly and consult an attorney about your options.