When you are involved in an accident with one driver, there is usually one party who is responsible for the accident assuming that you didn't take any actions that would lead you to be partially responsible. However, when three cars are involved, determining liability can be more tricky and you may need help from a personal injury attorney.
An Example of a Three-Car Accident
Four cars might be traveling on a road and the leading car comes to an abrupt stop. The second car manages to stop in time but the third car rear-ends the second. The fourth car then rear-ends the third.
In this scenario, the lead car would not be at fault for stopping and the second car would also not be at fault. However, for the third and fourth car, the degree to which they are at fault might be the subject of a dispute.
Why This Type of Accident Might Be Disputed
The third car might claim that they only crashed into the car in front of them because the fourth car struck them with so much force. This is especially true if the fourth car was speeding. Therefore, you'll likely need help from a legal team that will conduct a thorough investigation of the crash.
Negotiating with Insurance Providers
Regardless of the role you played in the crash, you will need to ask a personal injury attorney to negotiate on your behalf. You may be accused of being partially at fault for the accident. Even if you are considered at fault, you may be able to reduce your liability.
Oftentimes, none of the drivers will accept responsibility for the crash, but there is always one party that is responsible. An experienced crash reconstruction expert will look at the evidence at the scene of the accident to determine which party was most likely to be at fault.
To determine liability, a personal injury attorney will need to take depositions, interview witnesses, and examine the damage done to the vehicles to try to piece together what happened. If you're lucky, there might also be a nearby store that has surveillance footage that can show what really happened.
Policy Limits
One of the last obstacles you might face with multi-car crashes are the policy limits of the at-fault drivers. Because there are more individuals injured, you may not receive full compensation for your injuries and may need to take legal action against the individual drivers.
Talk to an attorney like those at Labine Law Firm and other locations for more help and information.
Share25 March 2021
When a person is involved in an accident that's caused by someone else, they may need to speak with an accident and personal injury attorney. Mounting costs of medical care and time off from work can cause money problems for people who are injured. Those who hire an attorney can often receive monetary compensation from the responsible party. We aren't involved in the legal profession, but we do understand the stress that injuries and medical bills can cause. We've researched legal information and written this blog to help those who are in this situation. We hope the articles on our site will answer the questions you have about accident and personal injury attorneys.