Single-Vehicle Accidents: Can You Still File a Claim?

One of the biggest misconceptions about car accident claims is that if only one vehicle was involved, the driver must be at fault. Insurance companies often start from that assumption.

Yet a tire may have failed because of a manufacturing defect. Cargo may have fallen from a truck several minutes earlier. A driver may have forced you off the road and continued driving. A dangerous roadway condition may have contributed to the crash.

A single-vehicle accident claim is often more complicated than it first appears. The challenge is not simply proving that an accident occurred. The challenge is identifying what caused it before critical evidence disappears.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, our car accident lawyer in Seattle helps injury victims throughout Washington uncover the true cause of their accidents. Our attorneys have recovered more than $100 million for clients and have represented Washington families since 1972.

We know that determining liability is not always straightforward. Our job is to investigate every possible cause, identify all potentially responsible parties, and uncover the evidence needed to support your claim.

Can I File a Claim After a Single Vehicle Accident?

Yes, depending on the cause of the crash, you can file a single-vehicle accident claim.

The key issue is identifying whether someone else’s negligence contributed to the crash. If it did, you may have grounds to pursue compensation.

The sections below discuss some of the most common situations in which a single-vehicle accident may still support a claim.

What If a Road Hazard Is the Cause of the Crash?

Many roads across Washington present unique driving challenges. Drivers traveling through corridors in the Cascades routinely encounter changing weather and roadway conditions. 

Meanwhile, heavily traveled routes such as I-5, I-90, and I-405 experience constant wear from commercial and commuter traffic.

State and local agencies are responsible for maintaining the roads under their control in a reasonably safe condition for drivers. When they fail to address known hazards or dangerous conditions, they may be held responsible for the accidents that result.

Examples of roadway conditions that can contribute to a single-vehicle crash include:

• Large potholes,
• Missing or damaged guardrails,
• Dangerous shoulder drop-offs,
• Poor drainage that causes standing water,
• Missing warning signs,
• Unmarked construction zones,
• Malfunctioning traffic signals, and
• Roadway debris left by maintenance.

The key question is often whether the responsible agency knew, or should have known, of the condition and failed to correct it within a reasonable period.

For example, a pothole that develops overnight presents a different situation than one that has generated complaints for weeks. Likewise, evidence that an agency ignored prior reports of a dangerous condition may strengthen a claim.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we often look beyond the crash scene itself when investigating these cases. Maintenance records, inspection reports, prior complaints, and the history of similar accidents can all help determine whether a roadway condition played a role in the crash.

What If a Phantom Driver Caused the Accident?

Not every crash involves contact between two vehicles. Sometimes another driver creates a dangerous situation, forcing someone to brake suddenly, swerve, or leave the roadway to avoid a collision.

For example, a driver may:

• Drift into your lane,
• Cut you off in traffic,
• Run a red light or stop sign,
• Attempt an unsafe pass on a two-lane road, or
• Merge without leaving enough space.

In these situations, the other vehicle may never make contact with yours. The driver may continue down the road without stopping, leaving it to appear as though you simply lost control.

These incidents are often referred to as phantom vehicle accidents.  

The challenge in these cases is proving that another driver’s actions contributed to the crash. Because there is often no collision between the vehicles, insurance companies may question whether a phantom driver existed at all.

Witness statements, dashcam footage, traffic camera recordings, and other evidence can be critical to establishing what happened.

Can a Defective Vehicle Part Support a Washington Car Accident Claim?

Many drivers assume that if their vehicle failed, the accident was simply bad luck. But in some cases, a mechanical failure may actually point to a product liability claim.

Examples include:

• Tire blowouts,
• Brake failures,
• Steering system defects,
• Airbag malfunctions,
• Suspension failures, and
• Electrical system failures.

The most important question is why the part failed.

For example, a tire blowout on Interstate 90 may result from road debris, poor maintenance, or normal wear. However, it could also result from a manufacturing defect. Determining the difference often requires preserving the vehicle and allowing experts to inspect the failed component.

This is one reason we often advise clients not to rush into major repairs before investigating the cause of the crash. Once critical evidence is lost, it may be impossible to determine whether a manufacturer shares responsibility.

How Can Falling Cargo Lead to a Single-Vehicle Crash?

Washington’s highways carry enormous amounts of commercial traffic every day. Trucks move freight between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, distribution centers in Kent, agricultural operations in Eastern Washington, and communities throughout the state.

When cargo is not properly secured, it can create dangerous conditions for everyone on the road. Common examples include:

• Lumber,
• Construction materials,
• Machinery,
• Metal debris,
• Furniture, and
• Vehicle parts.

Many drivers instinctively swerve to avoid an object in the roadway. That reaction may prevent one collision but can cause another.

The important detail is that contact with the cargo is not always necessary to support a claim. If improperly secured cargo caused the emergency that led to the crash, the company responsible for transporting it may still be liable.

The challenge is identifying where the cargo originated before it is removed from the roadway.

What Role Does Weather Play in a Single-Vehicle Accident Claim?

Rain, fog, snow, and ice certainly contribute to many Washington crashes. Anyone who has driven through Snoqualmie Pass in winter or along coastal highways during heavy rain understands how quickly conditions can change.

However, weather rarely operates in isolation. A better question is whether someone failed to account for weather conditions.

That distinction can be important because insurers sometimes rely on weather conditions to avoid looking deeper into what actually caused the crash.

What Insurance Coverage May Be Available?

Several types of coverage may apply, and the right path often depends on what caused the crash, what coverage you purchased, and whether another party can be identified.

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Washington insurers must offer PIP coverage. PIP may help pay medical expenses, lost income, and certain other costs after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash.  
• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage. This coverage may apply if a phantom driver or hit-and-run driver contributed to the accident. In some situations, it can provide compensation even when the responsible driver is never identified.  
• Collision Coverage. Collision coverage may help pay to repair or replace your vehicle after a crash, regardless of fault. This coverage commonly applies when a vehicle strikes a guardrail, tree, median, or other object.
• Comprehensive Coverage. Comprehensive coverage may apply when the damage results from something other than a collision. Examples include falling trees, wildlife strikes, vandalism, theft, or certain weather-related events.  
• Liability Insurance. If another person, company, or government entity contributed to the crash, a claim may be pursued against that party’s liability insurance.  rgo, a phantom driver, or a defective product.  

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we review available insurance coverage early because it can shape the entire claim. Identifying the applicable policy can help protect your claim.

Why Is Evidence Preservation So Important in a Single-Car Accident Claim?

Important evidence can disappear quickly after a single-vehicle accident. Road debris may be removed, construction zones may change, surveillance footage may be overwritten, and damaged vehicles may be repaired or salvaged before they can be inspected.

That can create significant challenges when a Washington car accident claim involves a road hazard, phantom driver, defective vehicle component, or unsecured cargo. In each of these situations, the evidence may help establish what caused the crash and whether another party contributed to it.

Depending on the circumstances, important evidence may include:

• Photographs of the accident scene,
• Vehicle damage documentation,
• Dashcam footage,
• Traffic camera or surveillance recordings,
• Witness statements,
• Police reports,
• Road maintenance records,
• Company personnel records,
• Vehicle inspection and repair records, and
• Electronic vehicle data.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we often begin investigating serious accidents as soon as possible because the strongest evidence is not always available forever. Preserving that evidence early can make it easier to identify the cause of the crash and evaluate whether a claim exists.

Contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner After a Single-Vehicle Accident

Many drivers walk away from a single-vehicle accident, assuming there is no claim to pursue. That assumption can be costly. An attorney can help investigate the cause of the crash, identify potentially responsible parties, and determine whether compensation may be available through an insurance claim or legal action.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we take the time to identify what actually happened. We coordinate with medical providers, handle communications with insurance adjusters, help clients address financial concerns while they recover, and prepare every case as though it may ultimately require litigation. We also provide straightforward case evaluations so clients understand both the strengths and challenges of their situation before deciding how to proceed.

If you suffered injuries in a single-vehicle crash, contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner for a free consultation. We can review the facts, explain your options, and determine whether a single-vehicle accident claim may help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

​Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:​

• Automobile liability insurance policy, Revised Code of Washington, 48.22.005.
• Underinsured, hit-and-run, phantom vehicle coverage to be provided, Revised Code of Washington, 48.22.030.