In most cases, in a multi-vehicle car accident, determining fault usually comes down to who came first in acting negligently. This is not as easy as a two-car accident; the determination of fault tends to be more complicated. A multi-vehicle accident creates a development of the actions between the victimizing actions of a negligent driver, whereby many other vehicles around it mimic the action as other vehicles get involved in a series of events, such as the force of a rear-end collision pushes the front vehicle into the back of another vehicle.
Key Takeaways:
- Figuring out who’s at fault in a multi-vehicle accident is complicated.
- You might be dealing with bad weather, poor road conditions, or a distracted driver.
- Gathering evidence and getting statements from witnesses can really help your case.
- Getting a police report at the scene gives you important details for later.
- Your insurance company might not always act in your best interest.
- State laws (no-fault or at-fault) can impact how much you’re able to recover.
- Talking to a car accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
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There Are Several Reasons for a Multi-Vehicle Accident
There might be bad weather affecting the visibility of the driver, or poor road conditions are susceptible to accidents, or a distracted driver would lose control over his/her vehicle and end up creating a pileup. So if you are confused as to how your insurance company decided to find liability in your multi-vehicle car accident, you may go ahead and consult a lawyer to help assign liability when you file a legal action. The loss created by a multi-vehicle accident is often significant damage and injury; thus, having a fair settlement is necessary to recover the lost amount.
Determining negligence, especially in a multi-vehicle crash, can be a daunting task. Essentially, whether your state abides by the no-fault or at-fault policies will determine negligence in multi-car accidents. Moreover, to prove liability, having enough evidence will be needed.
Assigning Liability in a Multi-Vehicle Accident
Usually, the driver who fails to use due care and puts other drivers at risk takes responsibility for multi-car accidents. It seems pretty clear cut as to who would be accountable for causing a domino effect, and yet it isn’t always so. Each multi-vehicle accident is indeed different, and likely an investigator will need to go to great lengths in analyzing what really happened to come up with a fair judgment for all parties involved.
More often than not, in a multi-car accident, people are pointing fingers at the person actually to blame for starting the accident, and even refuse to admit their own faults. Onlookers and other motorists tend to see and think that the driver who initiated the series of reactions is guilty for the entire aftermath, which does not necessarily turn out to be true. It is hardly that simple to determine fault in a large multi-car accident.
Witness Importance
In such cases, witnesses who were not present during the crash are very important. They will probably be impartial witnesses and will testify only based on what they have seen. Involved drivers in an accident will not be willing to admit their mistakes for any reason. They might think that the cause of the initial collision has to be responsible for everything that happened because of his negligence. Of course, multiple drivers can commit no wrongdoing in a multi-car accident.
If several witnesses corroborate each other, this solidifies a case that might otherwise be difficult to work through. It is imperative to get bystanders involved after a multi-vehicle car accident. Take down their contact information, including their name and phone number. Witnesses can offer critical information to the case.
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Police Involvement
You should definitely have the police come to the scene so that a crash report can be generated. This crash report would contain important and requisite details for liability determination later. Police collect facts and conduct photographic or video surveillance assessments when available. There is going to be strong evidence in the police report to examine regarding fault in a multi-vehicle accident.
Legal Assistance
Hiring a lawyer is probably the most practical thing during the pursuit of fair financial compensation for injuries and property damage. After all, you may not want to rely on the insurance company that is not too keen on determining fault in a multi-vehicle accident, as it will be extremely difficult to make the right assignments. An insurance company will not have your best interests in mind, as accident injury lawyers can fight for the best possible outcome for you. Given sufficient evidence, they can show how all the drivers involved in the accident acted and how it has affected you.
No-Fault and At-Fault States
In no-fault states, insurers cover any injury sustained; they typically do this using personal injury protection (PIP) policies. Yet you could still file a claim against the at-fault driver for property damage. In at-fault states, “liability insurance pays for the policyholder’s legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage.” Collision and comprehensive insurance cover property damage to the policyholder’s car.
States may also recognize comparative negligence and pure contributory negligence, affecting liability and how much compensation you might receive for your injuries and other damages.
Final Thought
This is confusing to the layman since fault in a multi-vehicle accident is understood in various ways by different people. Law enforcement and witnesses have worked to establish the case immediately with such an adjuster from an insurance company. You may very well find that the difference in hiring a car accident attorney could dramatically affect your case. If another driver caused a multi-car pileup that injured you, you may qualify for damages.
Contact Tenina Law in Sherman Oaks today for your complimentary case evaluation with one of our staff members.
