When multiple vehicles are involved in a car accident it may not be obvious who is liable. Depending on the details of the situation one or more drivers can be held responsible for the damages incurred from the accident. At Stathis & Leonards, LLC, our Middlesex County, NJ car accident attorneys are well-versed in accident claims and lawsuits. Contact a skilled lawyer for guidance and representation during your legal process.
How Can You Determine Fault in a Car Accident?
In any type of car accident, it can be difficult to determine who was at fault. Without evidence, it may end up being one driver’s word against the other’s. That is why it is so important to acquire representation and advice from an experienced attorney.
With the help of your lawyer, you can collect the following information and create a case to prove liability. Consider the below evidence that can help accurately determine a driver’s responsibility.
- Police and accident reports
- Dashcame footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photographs and videos from the scene of the accident
- Security cameras
Once all of this information is gathered, organized, and presented, a judge can make a ruling on liability.
Who Will Be Found Liable for an Accident With Multiple Vehicles?
The driver who is liable for an accident with multiple vehicles may be difficult to identify. Generally, when a multi-car pileup or collision occurs the accident was initiated by one or two cars. The driver who caused the initial crash will likely be found liable for the accident.
For example, suppose a driver was texting while driving on the highway and did not notice that they were approaching a red light. If they rear-end the car in front of them the force of the impact could cause the struck car to hit the car ahead of them and so on, creating a collision involving potentially three or more cars. The driver who caused the first collision will probably be held responsible for the entire situation because they were the catalyst that resulted in the other cars being hit.
What is Comparative Negligence?
There are instances where liability is assigned to more than one person. Comparative negligence is a legal principle that assigns a percentage of liability to multiple parties in an accident. There is a high chance in any situation that more than one person contributed to the accident, especially when multiple vehicles are involved.
Continuing the above example of a driver rear-ending another car, comparative negligence could apply to two or more drivers. Imagine that the driver is still texting while driving on the highway. The driver in front of them slams on their brakes suddenly and without good reason. The driver who was distracted by their phone still rear-ends the car in front of them, but they are not completely to blame. Because the car ahead brake-checked, they may be assigned a portion of the liability as well as the car behind.
Liability can be complex to determine and understand, particularly when multiple vehicles and drivers are involved in an accident. Work with a skilled attorney to ensure your rights are protected and you receive compensation for your injuries.
