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Who Is At-Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?

Accidents involving two vehicles are complex and can be difficult to determine fault. This difficulty is multiplied many fold for multi-vehicle accidents, which are accidents involving three or more vehicles.

Multi-vehicle accidents typically happen on highways or high-speed roads when two cars are involved in an accident and the cars behind them can’t stop in time and hit them, creating a domino effect. This is especially likely to happen in construction zones, roads with no shoulder, and during inclement weather if the surface of the road is slick. The cause of the initial accident is often one car rear ending another one, but it could be any other cause as well. Multi-vehicle collisions are particularly dangerous because drivers can become trapped in their cars if they are in the middle of the pile up.

Determining who is at-fault for a multi-vehicle accident can be tricky since there could be multiple causes. The car that hit the first car in the initial accident will be at-fault for at least the initial accident. To determine fault for the subsequent accidents, police, insurance companies and attorneys analyze several variables, including:

• Any video from the accident, either from surveillance cameras or passersby
• Skid marks on the ground
• Debris, which can determine how the cars were damaged
• Witness statements
• Medical records from injured occupants, which can reveal how their cars were hit

In especially large or severe accidents, experts may be called in to reconstruct the accident to determine the order of events and who is at fault. In many cases, there could be multiple drivers who are partially at-fault. Florida uses a concept of comparative negligence, in which multiple drivers can be apportioned part of the blame for the accident. Each driver’s comparative negligence is reduced from the amount of damages that they are eligible to receive. For example, if the third car in an accident is found to be 10% at fault and has damages of $100,000, then the damages will be reduced by $10,000 so they could receive up to $90,000.

If you are involved in a multi-car accident, make sure to take photos and videos of the accident scene. This will be important evidence for building your case if you need to make a claim against the other parties. It’s also important to seek medical care right away. Even if you think your injuries are minor or you are just a little achy, a doctor should examine you within 24 hours of the accident.

Multi-vehicle accidents make claiming damages for your injuries difficult since it is hard for drivers to know who they should hold accountable. Contact an expert in car accident law, ECanter Lawyers, to advise you of your rights and fight aggressively until you receive the compensation that you are owed for your injuries.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

ECanter Lawyers

561-447-4500

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