Single-vehicle crash

A single vehicle collision, crash, or accident is, as the name implies, a type of road traffic collision in which only one vehicle is involved. Included in this category are run-off-road collisions, collisions with fallen rocks or debris in the road, rollover crashes within the roadway, and collisions with animals.

The term single-vehicle collision is not generally used unless the rider/driver and passengers of the vehicle are the only ones injured. Although in some cases innocent bystanders (e.g. pedestrians or bicyclists) can also be hurt or killed, the term single-vehicle collision is unlikely to be used to describe such collisions.

The normal inference is that the cause is operator error. Common factors contributing to single-vehicle collisions include excessive speed, driver fatigue and driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Environmental and roadway factors can also contribute to single vehicle crashes. These include inclement weather, poor drainage, narrow lanes and shoulders, insufficient curve banking and sharp curves. Some vehicles have unpredictable car handling characteristics and/or defects, which can increase the potential for a single-vehicle collision.