Can You Leave The Scene Of An Accident If No One Else Was Involved?
By Pyle Law, May 22 2023 5:15 pmYou may think that most crashes involve two or more vehicles, but the reality is that single-vehicle crashes happen regularly. In fact, in a recent year, 50 percent of vehicular fatalities in Kansas resulted from single-vehicle crashes.
While single-vehicle accidents might seem quite different from multi-vehicle collisions, the protocol following the accident should be similar. If you have been in a single-vehicle crash, call for help and remain at the scene of your crash. The authorities can check you for injuries, document what happened, and more to help you. Further, leaving can be considered a hit and run, and penalties for a hit and run include losing one’s driver’s license, fines, or even prison time.
Your single-car accident might also be the fault of someone else, such as a driver who ran you off the road or a road hazard that caused you to lose control. In these situations, you need to identify possible liability in case you have serious injuries.
If you are in a single-car crash, we recommend taking the proper steps discussed below to protect your rights. Consulting with a car accident attorney is always critical to help you better understand your legal rights.
You might not think it is necessary to call 911 for a single-car crash. However, if you or anyone else has any possible injuries, medical professionals should come to the scene.
Further, you need to report a car accident in Kansas if there is more than $1,000 in damage to property from the crash, which is often likely.
The police should also arrive at the scene and discuss what occurred with you and other witnesses. They can file a police report, which can be important if you need to file a fault-based injury claim.
Getting immediate medical care is important for two reasons:
Never wait to get a medical evaluation and begin treatment for your injuries, even if your symptoms seem minor.
You might not consider getting legal help with a single-car accident claim. However, these cases can be more complex than you might think. Your no-fault insurance provider might not be willing to pay you full compensation, or your losses might exceed your policy limits. In such cases, a lawyer can communicate with insurers or determine whether another driver or entity might be liable for your one-car crash.
Even if a single-vehicle collision does not involve another driver, you still have legal rights and should take steps to protect them. Always stay at the scene of the accident and get prompt medical attention. Then, finding the right attorney to assess your legal options should be high on your priority list.
Set up a consultation today with an attorney at Pyle Law by contacting 620-241-9000.
