One second, you are driving home on I-75, and the next, your car has spun off the road with no other vehicle in sight. With nobody else at the scene, it feels natural to assume the blame for a single-car accident lands entirely on you, but the cause is not always that simple. Accepting that blame can cost you, since an at-fault crash usually raises auto insurance rates by 30% to 50%, or about $350 to $450 a year, depending on who caused the crash, the damage, and where you live.
At Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz, our Dayton car accident lawyers want to help you determine whether someone else was involved in your crash and what options Ohio law offers you to recover.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Today
Your crash counts as a single-vehicle accident whenever your car was the only one damaged, whether you slid into a guardrail, hit a utility pole, or rolled over on a curve.
The label does not say who caused it.
Maybe you swerved to avoid a driver running a red light at a busy Dayton intersection. The Montgomery County Roadway Report notes that 26% of Ohio’s fatal crashes over the past five years resulted from driving off the roadway.
Many drivers do not realize that you can be the only one who crashed and still not be at fault. A motorist who cuts you off on I-70 may be responsible for your injuries, even though your cars never touched. Witnesses, dashcams, and traffic cameras can help prove that the driver was there.
What if you made a mistake, too? Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33, you can still recover compensation after a single-car accident as long as your share of fault is not greater than the combined fault of everyone else involved, though your recovery drops by your percentage of responsibility. Sometimes the responsible party is not a driver at all.
A deep pothole, a missing guardrail, or a poorly marked work zone on I-75 can send even a careful driver off the road. When the agency in charge of that road ignored a known hazard, you may have a claim, although Ohio gives government defendants special immunity protections.
Your car may also be to blame. Failing brakes or a tire that separates can point to a manufacturer or parts supplier rather than you, and a careless repair shop may share responsibility, too. These claims depend on physical evidence, so have your vehicle inspected before anyone repairs or scraps it.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel with us right now!
Get a Free Consultation
Ohio uses a fault-based insurance system, so the at-fault driver’s insurer generally pays for the harm that the driver caused. When the crash was your fault, your own collision coverage, plus medical payments coverage if you carry it, becomes your main source of help.
What about the driver who forced you off the road and kept going? Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3937.18, that unidentified driver can qualify as an uninsured motorist when independent corroborative evidence backs up your account. This coverage is optional in Ohio, so check whether your policy includes it.
Early choices can protect your claim:
These steps can preserve evidence that shows what happened if an insurer questions fault.
If you’ve faced injustice at work, reach out for legal guidance without delay!
Get a Free Consultation
You do not have to answer the question of fault on your own. At Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz, we can review your single-vehicle crash in Dayton or anywhere in southwest Ohio and walk you through your options. Contact our team today at 1.937.222.2222 for a free consultation.
Before establishing Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A., the top Ohio Injury Attorney served as a bodily injury claims adjuster at a major insurance firm. With over 40+ years of experience, Doug’s background has proven invaluable in securing maximum cash settlements for his clients swiftly. Since leaving the insurance industry, Doug has devoted his entire legal career to assisting injured clients during their times of greatest need. Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Super Lawyers | Avvo | Justia
Before establishing Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A., Doug Mann, a top Ohio Injury Attorney served as a bodily injury claims adjuster at a major insurance firm. With over 40+ years of experience, Doug’s background has proven invaluable in securing maximum cash settlements for his clients swiftly. Since leaving the insurance industry, Doug has devoted his entire legal career to assisting injured clients during their times of greatest need.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Doug Mann who has more than 30 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury attorney.
Keep up to Date with Our Newest Firm Updates
Key Takeaways A crash involving only your vehicle does not automatically make you the at-fault driver. Another driver, a road defect, or a vehicle defect can cause a crash without […]
Key Takeaways Claims with minor injuries and clear fault often settle within three to six months in Ohio. Ohio insurers must acknowledge a claim within 15 days, but acknowledgment does […]
Key Takeaways Who caused the crash, how serious it was, and your driving history all shape your new premium. Ohio law blocks a rate increase after a certain uninsured driver […]
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 1.937.222.2222
call us: 