Complications of Multi-Vehicle Collisions

Whether an impact from a traffic collision involves a single vehicle or half a dozen, the injuries that victims sustain can be substantial. With multi-vehicle collisions, however, the chances of being injured rise substantially compared to a single-vehicle crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40 percent of fatal crashes are multi-vehicle collisions. Furthermore, when three or more parties are involved, filing a personal injury claim becomes more complicated than if it is just between two parties. An experienced Ocala multi-vehicle collision attorney can help determine who is at fault and what insurance policies are at play, and in so doing maximize your compensation for the damages that were caused to you.

Comparative Negligence

One of the most challenging issues facing victims of multi-vehicle collisions is determining fault, or liability. In a two-car collision, this is still one of the key determining elements to a personal injury claim, and it can be difficult when the at-fault party claims that the other party contributed to the collision. Florida’s comparative negligence or “shared” negligence clause enables the at-fault party to reduce their liability if they can prove that the plaintiff (victim) was partially to blame for causing the crash. For example, in a two-vehicle crash Driver A pulled out in front of Driver B, who had the right of way, and subsequently caused a T-bone collision. Driver B is at fault because they violated right of way, but in this example Driver A was speeding. Driver B may still be the victim, but their compensation is reduced by their degree of fault. It may be determined that Driver B was 20 percent at fault, and Driver A is 80 percent at fault. As such, Driver B’s damages in the personal injury claim will be reduced by 20 percent, leaving them with the ability to be compensated for just 80 percent of their damages.

Determining Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Crash

Comparative negligence is common in two-vehicle collisions. However, liability is even more likely to be shared in multiple-vehicle collisions. Moreover, it is sometimes more difficult to identify all of the at-fault parties in a major pileup. Who was speeding? Which driver(s) was looking down at their cell phone when the car in front of them braked? While Driver A may have changed lanes in front of Driver B, forcing them to slam the brakes on, Driver C may be held partially at fault if they were following too close to be driving in a reasonable and prudent manner under statute 316.0895. There may be multiple parties at fault, as well as shared liability. And, when multiple parties are suing the same driver, there becomes another complication with their insurance policy running short, or their insurer putting up an extra big fight to reduce compensation all around.

Our Ocala Multi-Vehicle Collision Attorneys Can Help

Large pile ups are often difficult personal injury cases in which to be treated fairly, unless you have an experienced attorney on your side. The Ocala personal injury lawyers at the Glover Law Firm can help you reach a favorable outcome. Call us today at 352-484-0775 to schedule a free consultation.

Resource:

crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811162

https://www.gloverlawfirm.com/negligent-security-bar-nightclub-injury/