Why It’s Essential to Work With a Lawyer After A Multi-Car Accident

Filing a claim after any kind of car accident can be stressful because you’ll be dealing with injuries and the expenses associated with collisions. The process can be even more complicated, however, if you’re involved in a multi-car accident. For one thing, how does insurance work in a multi-car accident?

To understand your rights and what you may be entitled to, it’s essential to work with an auto accident lawyer with experience in difficult cases. Learn more about multi-car accident fault.

The Complexities of Multi-Car Accidents

What happens in a multi-car accident? Often called pile-up crashes, these accidents occur when three or more vehicles are involved in a collision. These kinds of accidents are not as straightforward as those involving two vehicles because fault could be very difficult to establish.

In some instances, more than one driver may be to blame, which means getting multiple insurance companies and lawyers involved.

There are also comparative negligence laws to worry about, which require that you be less than 51% responsible for the collision to be able to recover losses. It can be tougher to prove this when there are many cars involved.

Multi-Car Accident: Who Is at Fault?

South Carolina is a fault-based state for traffic accidents. Because of this, establishing liability is vital.

In these cases, one of the best ways to understand who is liable is to see who was initially negligent in their actions. Often, the vehicle that starts the crash causes a chain reaction, such as when the car rear-ends the one in front of it, leading that car to hit the one in front of it.

Initial negligence would belong to the car that caused the first crash, but there may be other negligent parties. If the middle vehicle was too close to the car in front of it, its driver could also hold some of the fault.

Dealing With Multiple Insurance Companies

In a multi-car accident, there will be numerous insurance parties involved, and they’ll all try to pin the blame on other drivers. Even if you know you are 100% not liable, never risk your claim by attempting to negotiate without a personal injury lawyer helping you. Remember, if you get saddled with the majority of the fault, you can’t recover losses.

Common Challenges in Multi-Car Accident Claims

There are many challenges you could face with these claims, including:

• Establishing liability
• Negotiating with multiple insurance companies
• Parsing multiple accounts of what happened
• Gathering evidence from all vehicles
• Establishing a chain of events
• Addressing comparative negligence

Because of all of these, you should never attempt to file a claim after a multi-car accident without legal counsel by your side.

What Evidence Can Help Prove Liability?

As with other car accidents, it’s essential to collect evidence from the scene of the accident, especially regarding how the vehicles are positioned. You can also rely on traffic cameras and the testimonies of others. Bystanders tend to be the best option, rather than passengers because the latter will have some bias.

The police report also offers significant insight into the collision. If there are still questions about liability, expert witnesses can offer their testimonies.

How a Lawyer Can Help

A lawyer can help by gathering evidence while you get medical care. They can also reach out to accident reconstruction experts to get their testimonies on how the collision occurred.

Above all, lawyers can negotiate aggressively with the various insurers involved. Having strong representation protects you from being blamed for the accident.

FAQ

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After A Multi-Car Accident?

You generally have three years from the date of the accident.

Can I Be Partly Responsible for the Accident and Recover Losses?

Yes, but you must hold less than 51% of the fault.

Can I File a Lawsuit Against the Other Parties?

Yes, you can, as long as you don’t hold the majority of fault for the collision. It can be a long and complicated process, however, so ensure you have experienced representation.

Contact Clore Law Group LLC

If you have been in a multi-car accident, our team can help you fight for fair compensation. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.