Getting into an accident can be stressful and confusing. After any car crash, it is the job of insurance adjusters and car accident attorneys to prove who acted negligently and is therefore at fault. While this may be relatively easy in two-car accidents, it becomes much more challenging when multiple vehicles are involved.
However, a skilled car accident lawyer can carefully review the evidence and build a strong case for liability and compensation. Let’s see how it is done.
The Importance of Strong Evidence
After a multi-vehicle car crash, every driver will have an opinion on who is at fault. However, the best way to pursue the compensation you deserve is for a car accident lawyer to carefully analyze the evidence and build a compelling picture of what actually happened.
Your attorney may consider evidence from a wide range of sources to strengthen your case.
Police reports
When the police attend car accidents, they compile an unbiased report that records the facts of the accident. This may include evidence of citations issued, which could be used as evidence of negligence on the part of one of the drivers.
Police reports usually include:
- Diagrams of the accident scene
- Observations about the road conditions and traffic violations committed
- Witness details
- Police officers’ assessments of fault
It is not the role of the police officer to legally determine who was at fault in a multi-car accident. However, the officer’s report and preliminary assessment may carry weight with insurers and the court if the case goes to trial. The report can be a good starting point for further investigation by your attorney.
Witness statements
Independent witnesses have the potential to be strong sources of evidence for who was at fault. Eyewitnesses may be able to speak to:
- The order of impacts
- Driver behavior, such as running red lights, speeding, or distracted driving
- Road conditions at the time of the accident
These testimonies can help to either strengthen or undermine the drivers’ accounts of what happened.
Accident reconstruction specialist reports
In serious collisions or multi-vehicle car accidents, it may be necessary to hire accident reconstruction specialists to investigate the crash and report on how it unfolded. Their investigators will examine evidence such as:
- Skid marks
- Weather conditions
- Angles of collision
- Relative speeds
This evidence is then used to create written reports or 3D models of what happened. These reports can be used in court and may prove valuable in showing how much fault can be attributed to each driver involved in the accident.
Video footage
Dashcam and surveillance camera footage can offer clear, timestamped evidence of what happened. This evidence might show what each driver was doing in the lead-up to the accident. Evidence of sudden lane changes, speeding, or other aggressive driving behavior on the part of one or more drivers will help your car accident lawyer prove who was at fault.
Your role in gathering evidence
Car accident lawyers work with investigators who collect evidence from various sources to try to strengthen your case. However, you can also help by sharing all the evidence you have when you attend your first consultation with the attorney.
This may include:
- Photographs and videos from the accident scene
- Details of witnesses
- Photos of the damage to your vehicle
- Photos of your injuries
Contacting a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident may make it easier for him or her to gather the evidence needed to build a strong case quickly.
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We specialize in personal injury claims.
Common Multi-Vehicle Car Accident Scenarios
After examining the evidence, your car accident lawyer will likely find that one of the following scenarios was the cause of your multi-vehicle car accident:
- Rear-end collision: “Chain reaction” multi-car pile-ups are common, with the rear vehicle often assumed to be the one at fault. The last driver may have been driving too close or distracted, as indicated in 3,275 road deaths in 2023. However, the evidence may show the situation was more complex than it first appeared, highlighting the importance of a thorough investigation in any multi-vehicle car crash scenario.
- Left-turn collisions: While executing a left turn, a car may get hit by an oncoming vehicle. However, this can begin a chain reaction involving other vehicles that are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The fault may seem to be with the driver turning left, but there could be other factors at play that shed a different light on liability.
- Sudden lane changes: If a driver suddenly changes lanes without signalling, this can cause other drivers to swerve to avoid a collision. In doing so, those drivers may crash into other vehicles, starting the chain reaction. It is up to a car accident lawyer to investigate and build a strong case for who was at fault.
Assigning fault in a multi-vehicle car accident is rarely simple. Protect your legal rights by only talking about the facts of the case with the insurance company. Do not admit liability or accuse another driver of being liable.
Schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident so he or she can handle all communications with the insurance company to prevent anything you say from being used against you later.
Pursuing Compensation Even When Partially Liable
In a multi-vehicle car accident, more than one driver may share responsibility for the accident. If you are found to be partly to blame, you may still be able to claim compensation. In many states, comparative negligence laws allow drivers who are partially liable to claim reduced compensation for their injuries.
For example, under Florida’s comparative fault laws, you can still pursue compensation unless you are “found to be greater than 50 percent at fault.” However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
So don’t hold back from seeking legal advice just because you believe you were partially at fault. You may still be able to claim compensation that could assist your physical and financial recovery.
Protect Your Rights After a Multi-Car Crash
After a multi-vehicle car crash, everybody’s looking for someone else to blame. Don’t let yourself become the scapegoat. When you work with an Andrew Pickett Law car accident attorney, you can rest easy knowing you have a trusted advocate conveying your side of the story.
Andrew Pickett Law’s motor vehicle attorneys have an outstanding track record of securing the compensation our clients need. We have secured many 6- and 7-figure payouts for our clients.
With our extensive trial experience, we are not afraid to fight your case in court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. Schedule a free case evaluation by calling us any time of day or night. Alternatively, complete our online form, and we will call you back to discuss your case soon.
Need free legal help in Florida?
We specialize in personal injury claims.
