Determining liability in a multi-vehicle accident presents certain challenges that are not involved in “ordinary” two-car accidents. If another driver hit you and then you hit someone else, ensuring that you receive just compensation – and that you are not held partially responsible for the crash – will require a thorough investigation and experienced legal representation. In order to recover full compensation from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability (BIL) policy, you need proof that he or she was to blame; and, to avoid a rate hike in your insurance, you need conclusive evidence that there was nothing you could have done to avoid the collision.
Scenario #1: You Were in the Middle of a Chain-Reaction Accident
Sticking with the example above, let’s assume that you were T-boned in an intersection when you had the clear right-of-way; and, as a result of being hit, your car crashed into a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. Since you had the right-of-way, the driver who hit you is likely to be deemed at fault in the accident, but his or her insurance company may also try to establish comparative fault by claiming that you were speeding, distracted or otherwise driving negligently.
Additionally, since your car hit someone else’s, that driver’s insurance company is likely to try to put some (or all) of the blame on you as well. As a result, if you leave it to the insurance companies to sort things out, you may find yourself facing multiple unfavorable consequences as a result of being unduly blamed for the collision.
Scenario #2: You Were at the End of a Chain-Reaction Accident
Now, let’s assume that your vehicle was the last one hit in the accident. Let’s also assume that you were paying attention while driving the speed limit, and that there was absolutely no way for you to avoid being hit.
In this scenario, your purported fault is not likely to be an issue. But, now, you will have two insurance companies fighting to avoid liability. Each of the other drivers’ insurance companies will be pointing the finger at the other, and neither is likely to voluntarily assume liability for the financial and non-financial costs of your accident-related injuries.
Evidence of Fault in Multi-Vehicle Collisions
Regardless of the circumstances involved in your accident, collecting evidence of fault will be the key to protecting your legal rights. In a multi-vehicle accident, potential sources of evidence include:
- Skid marks and other physical evidence from the scene of the accident
- The location and extent of the damage to each of the vehicles
- Traffic signal patterns
- Red light camera footage
- Eye witness testimony
- Police report
To collect this evidence, and to make sure the insurance companies treat you fairly, it is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Speak With a Crestview Auto Accident Lawyer for Free
Were you injured in a multi-vehicle accident in the Florida Panhandle? If so, we encourage you to contact our Crestview personal injury law offices for a free, no-obligation consultation. To schedule an appointment with an experienced auto accident lawyer at Powell, Powell & Powell, P.A., please call (850) 682-2757 or inquire online today.