Tuesday, August 12, 2014

When You Are In a Car Accident All By Yourself

Can you make sense of your car insurance policy if you are injured in a single car accident?


Various situations can cause a single car accident.
Accidents involving only one car are called single car accidents. They may happen when a deer runs into your car, or your car is damaged in a hailstorm while parked in your driveway, or someone strikes your car with an object. The award for compensation for single car accidents depends on the type of coverage in your insurance policy and the regulations of your state.

Various Types of Insurance Coverage



  • Liability insurance - provides coverage for property damage and bodily injuries caused to a third-person by an insured person.
  • Collision insurance - provides coverage to an insured vehicle for damage caused in a collision with another vehicle.
  • No-fault insurance - coverage is provided for the property damage and bodily injuries sustained by the insured person.
  • Comprehensive insurance - provides coverage for damage resulting due to loss or theft, rain, hail, earthquake, floods, vandalism, damage caused by animals, etc. This type of insurance covers all aspects which are caused by damage other than collision with another vehicle.


The applicable coverage of your policy depends on the provisions in your insurance policy and also the laws of the state where the accident takes place. For example, an accident caused by a deer hitting your car may be covered under collision insurance or comprehensive insurance depending on the interpretation of the provisions of the insurance policy.

Read Carefully About Exclusions


According to St. Louis car accident attorneys, unless a particular type of damage is excluded from the coverage list of your policy, you may be compensated for damages and injuries incurred. Hence, it is pertinent that while buying a policy you should ask about all the possible scenarios and damages which may or may not be covered by your insurance policy. While buying an insurance policy, you should also keep in mind the cost of the insurance premiums, deductibles, and the value and age of your car. It may not make sense to buy a comprehensive insurance policy for an old car which is already in a bad state.

Statute of Limitations For Filing a Claim


The next important step is to ensure that the claim is filed within the time limit specified in the policy. If you have had a car accident, you should contact your insurance agent to check the procedure for filing a claim and the time limit available. In case of personal injuries, this time limit is called the statute of limitations. You must file you personal injury claim and lawsuit within this time frame or else your claim and lawsuit may not be accepted.

If You Need Help From a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney


If you are intoxicated when you get into a single car accident, there may be other issues such as being arrested for drunk driving. In this case your insurance company may deny paying for your damages and you may also be penalized by a increase in your insurance premium. An accident involving a pedestrian is an extremely serious scenario which may involve a civil lawsuit and criminal prosecution.

If you have recently been injured in a single car accident, do not let the absence of a guilty party keep you from seeking compensation. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242. We may be able to help you recover your damages.