A multi-vehicle accident can be a catastrophic event that causes all of the people involved to suffer severe injuries and expensive property damage. However, it is even more difficult to determine fault in an accident involving multiple vehicles.
If you or someone you know were involved in a multi-car accident, then you should seek legal representation as soon as possible. An average car accident is usually quite serious, but an accident involving multiple vehicles is even more serious and complicated. It is important that you have a lawyer on your side to protect your legal rights, investigate the accident and start building your case before the evidence disappears at the scene.
If you have questions in regard to a multi-vehicle crash, then you should call our office now. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.
What Is a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident?
A multi-vehicle car accident is a type of crash that involves three or more drivers. It can happen in many different ways, such as a pile-up accident or a chain reaction accident. More often than not, a multi-vehicle accident will occur on routes where drivers move at higher speeds, like a freeway or a busier road.
A multi-vehicle accident usually happens when a driver crashes on a busy road, and then the multiple vehicles behind that driver do not have enough distance between each other to stop in time, so they end up crashing into each other.
Assigning Liability in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident
In most cases, the driver who failed to travel with safety and broke their duty of care will be held liable for a multi-car accident. It might be easy for you to point the finger at the first driver who started the domino effect in a multiple vehicle accident, but it is not always clear. Every case involving multiple vehicles is different from the next, which means that a multi-vehicle accident will require a long investigation into the events that led up to the crash.
It is not simple to determine fault in a multi-vehicle accident, and you must hire a car accident lawyer to defend your legal rights in the State of Florida. It is important that you have a legal defense so that the other drivers involved do not pin the fault on you.
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Who Is at Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Rear-End Accident?
The most common type of multi-vehicle car accident is the rear-end accident. It is usually called the multi-vehicle “pile-up” because all of the vehicles pile up behind each other. It is also referred to as a “chain reaction” car accident because of the fact that one car runs into the back of another car.
The First Car to Rear-end Another Car Is Usually at Fault
The principles of fault are the same in a multiple vehicle rear-end accident as they are in an average rear-end accident. The first driver who runs into the rear-end of the other driver is usually the one at fault for a rear-end accident. The first driver has the ability to avoid causing a crash because they can see what is in front, travel at a safe speed and maintain the right distance between other motor vehicles and take evasive actions. If they fail to perform one of those things, then they are usually at fault.
More Than One Car May Be at Fault in a Chain Reaction Accident
More than one driver might be at fault in a chain reaction accident. In this case, you will have to use the principle of ‘comparative negligence’ to figure out who is liable. Comparative negligence will compare the actions of each driver and assign a percentage of fault to each party who was negligent. The law on comparative negligence is written in Florida Statute 768.81.
Figuring Out What Really Happened in a Chain Reaction Accident
An extensive investigation must be conducted in order to determine fault following a multi-car accident. It is important because all of the drivers involved and the people who witnessed the crash will usually have different versions of events about what happened in the accident. The police officers and the car accident lawyers will have to compare the statements of each person and examine the physical evidence at the scene of an accident. It is also important to consider the damage to each motor vehicle, the injuries sustained, and the timing of the accident.
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Who Is at Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Head-on Car Accident?
The driver who crossed into the lane of the other drivers is usually at fault in a head-on collision. The most common type of situation that causes a multi-car head-on accident is usually when a driver moves straight into oncoming traffic and hits a car traveling in the opposite direction. In this case, the car will then hit one or more cars. The driver who drifted into oncoming traffic will be the one at fault.
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Who Is at Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Intersection Car Accident?
An intersection multi-vehicle car accident will typically involve left turns or running a traffic control device such as a red light or a stop sign.
Multi-Car Intersection Accident With Left Turn
When a car is waiting for oncoming traffic to clear before turning left at an intersection ends up hitting another car or gets hit by a car as they are making the left turn. In this situation, the fault will depend on whether or not the driver who was making the left turn had ‘right of way. If the driver making the left turn had the right of way, then the other driver is at fault for the accident. However, if the driver making the left turn did not have the right of way, then they will be held liable for the crash. However, it does not mean that any other drivers involved are not at fault. The percentage of fault that the other drivers will hold depends on whether they could have avoided the accident or whether they were committing another traffic violation like speeding.
Multi-Car Intersection Accident With Running a Traffic Control Device
When a car runs a traffic control device, like a red light or stop sign, at an intersection, then they will always hold fault for causing an accident. However, sometimes there might be another driver at fault for a multi-vehicle intersection car accident involving running a traffic control device, but it will largely depend on the facts and circumstances of the individual case.
Who Is at Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Lane Change Car Accident?
If the car changing lane pushes the other car into the opposite lane, which causes them to run into other motor vehicles, the driver who changes lane is at fault for causing the multiple-vehicle crash. All of the other cars involved in a multi-vehicle lane change car accident most likely will not bear responsibility. However, it will depend on whether they had an opportunity to avoid the accident by driving slower or being more careful behind the wheel.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you or a loved one were involved in a multi-vehicle car accident in the, then you might be wondering, “how is fault determined in a multi-vehicle car accident State of Florida?” A car accident lawyer will be able to answer all of your questions and fight for your legal rights.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of experience when it comes to determining fault in multi-vehicle car accidents all over the State of Florida. Our team of car accident lawyers is highly trained to deal with the most complex cases, ranging from truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, and more.
If you were injured in a multi-vehicle accident, then you could be entitled to compensation. However, you will need the assistance of a car accident lawyer to help you determine fault. Our team of car accident lawyers will explain the legal process to you, and they will be at your side every step of the way.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 today.
