Things can get complicated when more than two cars get into an accident. Most of the time, the damage to the cars and the injuries to the people involved are much worse. Determining who is responsible for the harm caused by various impacts can be more difficult.
If you were in a multi-car accident in Florida, you shouldn’t let the challenge of proving who is at fault stop you from seeking compensation. You may be able to recover money for the losses you have suffered. A car accident lawyer from Fasig | Brooks can help you through the necessary steps.
Let’s take a moment to learn more about how liability works in Florida multi-vehicle accident claims.
Determining Fault in a Florida Multi-Car Accident FAQ
People often have questions about who is at fault in a multi-car accident in Florida, so we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help make your decision to pursue a claim easier.
Can I Be Held Liable for My Own Injuries in a Florida Multi-Vehicle Crash?
Can Multiple Parties Be Blamed For a Multiple Car Accident in Florida?
Who Is Responsible for a Multi-Vehicle Rear-End Collision?
Who Would Be Liable for a Head-On Collision Multi-Car Crash in Florida?
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Multi-Vehicle Pileup in Florida?
Contact a Lawyer to Learn More About Liability in a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Florida
Can I Be Held Liable for My Own Injuries in a Florida Multi-Vehicle Crash?
In Florida, courts use a legal theory called “pure comparative negligence” to figure out who is responsible for damages caused by a multi-car accident when more than one person could be at fault.
Under pure comparative negligence, the court must determine how much each person contributed to the accident and determine how compensation will be ordered.
For instance, if Motorist A wasn’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of a multi-car collision that was solely the fault of Motorist B, the court might determine that Motorist A was 40% to blame for their own injuries. As a result, Motorist A can only sue Motorist B for 60% of the total losses.
Can Multiple Parties Be Blamed for a Multiple Car Accident in Florida?
There can be more than two parties held liable for the accident. For instance, if four drivers were equally at fault, the court might mandate that each driver pay 25% of the total damages. Depending on the specifics of an accident, liability could be assigned to:
- All of the drivers in the crash
- One negligent driver who caused the accident
- Some of the drivers involved
- A third party, such as a pedestrian
- A municipal entity responsible for road conditions and traffic signals
- The makers of a faulty vehicle part
Many things can cause pile-ups or accidents with more than one car in Florida. Some accidents involve mistakes made by people, while others are caused by the environment or the manufacturers of faulty brakes. This is why having an attorney on your side can greatly benefit your claim.
Who Is Responsible for a Multi-Vehicle Rear-End Collision?
In general, the person who initiated the collision should be liable. For example, Driver A is stopped at a stop sign, and Driver B is stopped behind him. Driver C is drinking and driving and rear-ends Driver B with great force.
Driver B’s vehicle plows into the back of Driver A’s vehicle. Driver A would not have been hit if it weren’t for Driver C’s careless behavior, so in this situation, Driver C would be liable for the damages to both Drivers A and B.
Who Would Be Liable for a Head-On Collision Multi-Car Crash in Florida?
Most of the time, the driver who crossed into the other driver’s lane is to blame for a head-on collision. A vehicle drifted into oncoming traffic and hit an oncoming car. This sends the oncoming car backward and into a different car.
In this case, the car that caused the initial accident by drifting into the opposite lane is responsible for the entire accident.
However, if a car is hit and pushed into oncoming traffic and collides with an oncoming vehicle, the car that pushed him out of his lane would be at fault.
This scenario only involves 3 cars and no other outside influences. The situation with 4 or more cars and insurance providers can be extremely complex. It’s best to work with a car accident attorney in a multi-car crash in Florida to protect your rights and financial interests.
How do I Prove Negligence in a Multi-Vehicle Pileup in Florida?
In light of what we’ve learned about how the law divides up responsibility for multiple-vehicle accidents, you might ask how liability is assigned in settlements involving, say, a three-car intersection collision.
Whether a judge, a jury, or the lawyers involved in a settlement determine who is at fault, they must do so based on the evidence at hand. In cases of multi-car accidents, the participants and witness accounts can vary widely.
People will almost always have a different idea of what really happened, and the evidence you collect and present can make or break your case.
A car accident lawyer from Fasig | Brooks can help to gather and analyze evidence such as:
- Documentation of the damage to cars involved in the crash
- Medical bills and documentation
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Traffic violations of the drivers
- Evidence at the scene of the accident
- Physician statements
- Traffic camera or surveillance footage
- Witness cellphone or dashcam video
Contact a Lawyer to Learn More About Liability in a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Florida
No matter how many cars were involved in a crash, vehicle accident claims can be difficult to manage.
An attorney can review the details of your crash and protect your interests to maximize your claim’s value. If you have questions, reach out to Fasig | Brooks today.
