Determining who is at fault in a multi-vehicle accident usually boils down to determining which driver was initially negligent. Deciding who is at fault in a two-car crash is not easy. In a multi-vehicle auto accident, the driver’s negligent act causes several nearby vehicles to copy the action, e.g. B. when the force of a collision from behind causes the vehicle in front to crash into another car.
How Is Fault Determined in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident
Accidents involving multiple cars happen for a number of reasons. Bad weather can affect the driver’s vision, bad road conditions can cause an accident, or a distracted driver can lose control of the car and cause a collision.
If you’re not sure how your insurance company determined fault in your multi-vehicle accident, you can contact an attorney to establish liability if you decide to file a lawsuit. Some vehicle accidents can result in serious damage and injury, so you want proper compensation to make up for the damages suffered.
Fault determination, especially in multi-car accidents, can be difficult. Whether your state enforces a no-fault or no-fault policy plays a role in determining attribution. You need enough evidence to prove guilt in multiple vehicle crashes.
The Importance of Witnesses
Witnesses who were not involved in the crash are crucial in cases like these. They often are impartial observers, and they likely will base their accounts on precisely what they saw. Drivers involved in the accident have a vested interest in refusing to take the blame. They might believe that the person who caused the initial collision is responsible for everything that happened due to their negligence. Of course, it is possible that multiple drivers did not commit any 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.
You should definitely call the police to the scene of the accident to prepare an accident report, which contains important details for later determining responsibility. Police will investigate the facts and currently, if applicable, will record and review CCTV footage. The police report will most likely contain a lot of evidence that needs to be examined that can determine culpability in a multi-car accident.
Legal Help
If you’re seeking fair financial compensation for personal injury and property damage, it may be wise to hire an attorney. You probably don’t want to rely on an insurance company to determine fault in a multi-vehicle accident, which essentially makes accurate liability determination difficult. An insurance company won’t have your best interests in mind, while an auto accident lawyer can fight for the best outcome for you. With enough evidence, they can show how all the drivers behaved in the accident and how they affected you.
No-Fault and At-Fault States
In no-fault states, every driver’s insurance covers their injuries, usually through a PIP (Personal Injury Protection) policy, but you can still sue the erring driver for property damage.
As explained by the Insurance Information Institute (III), “in the event of default, liability insurance pays the policyholder’s legal obligations to another person for personal injury or property damage. Comprehensive and thorough insurance covers property damage … to the policyholder’s vehicle.’
States may also admit comparative negligence and net contributive negligence, which affect liability and the amount of compensation you may receive for injury and other damages.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Is on Your Side
It feels lost when you don’t know how to find fault in a multi-car crash. With the help of law enforcement and witnesses, an insurance company assessor has begun working on your case. You may find that hiring a car accident attorney can have a significant impact on your case.
If you are injured in a multi-vehicle accident caused by another driver, you are entitled to compensation. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at 800-691-7111 to receive your free case evaluation with a member of our team and understand your options.
