Being involved in an automobile accident with just one other car is stressful enough. Add another car or two or even three to the mix and things can get downright complicated.
Accidents involving multiple vehicles sometimes have complex issues to work through. Because there are several people involved, who may have had differing viewpoints during the accident, issues such as liability and proximate cause or causation may become difficult to determine.
Although things can get a little messy, being involved in a multi-vehicle accident does not mean that maximum payments and compensation are out of the question. There are ways to make sure you get the most out of your automobile accident claim even if multiple cars are involved. So, let’s delve into personal injury law and see what you can do to improve your chances of getting compensation for the accident.
Determining Liability
Determining which driver or drivers were responsible for the accident is one of the most important elements of a claim, especially when multiple vehicles are involved. Knowing who is liable will narrow down which insurance companies you will be dealing with. If there is any controversy over liability, the situation may become tricky.
This is when you will want to make sure you have all the pertinent documents and information such as police reports, any accident investigation reports, photographs, and witness statements. This may even be a point where you will want to consult and possibly hire a personal injury lawyer. Once liability is determined, whether before a lawsuit is filed or after, then the real work can begin in obtaining maximum compensation.
Multiple Insurance Policies
As soon as you know which of the drivers is considered at-fault, you will know which insurance companies you will have claims with. In the case of multi-car accidents, there may be more than one driver found liable. If this is the case, you can file against multiple drivers and insurance companies.
There are some different issues that will come into play here. For instance, if you have more than one driver that is found liable, it is likely an apportionment of liability will be done. It may be found that certain drivers have a larger portion of the liability than others. This would affect how much you can recover from each driver.
Also, keep in mind that there are different types of claims that may be applicable in your case such as property damage, bodily injury, med pay claims, and possibly workers compensation claims under certain circumstances.
You May Need Help
Accidents involving multiple cars can be extremely difficult, troublesome, and stressful. There are many intricacies and details to take into consideration. It is completely understandable if you become overwhelmed or feel the need for extra support or help.
If this is the case, as mentioned before, it may be wise to reach out to a personal injury attorney near you. Make sure you find one that is well-versed on the unique aspects of these types of cases. These attorneys know how to handle complex liability issues. You might find that in a multi-vehicle crash case, it could become very difficult to win your case without the right people with the necessary experience. Should you find you lose your case, you always have the option to look at a legal appeals law firm that can try to overturn the court’s decision.
In the event of a massive multi-car collision or pile-up, an attorney may help identify entities outside of the actual drivers that could be held liable, including state or local agencies. Having an effective attorney on your side can alleviate a great deal of the stress, pressure and worry that comes with these cases.
When dealing with the aftermath of a multi-vehicle accident, maximum payments and compensation are possible. If liability can be determined, and you stay on top of your documentation, understand which insurance companies and claim types are involved, and ask for help if you need, you can be successful in your multi-vehicle accident claim.
