Who is Liable for an Accident Involving Multiple Cars on a Highway?

It’s common for those who are involved in a car crash or witnesses to a collision to assume that a single party is responsible for causing the accident. Typically, it’s the driver who started the chain reaction leading to the accident who receives the blame. However, motor vehicle accidents involving multiple vehicles aren’t usually black and white. These situations are often more complex than they appear to be.

Many people may not realize that there can be more than one party at fault for a multiple car accident. Florida’s civil laws allow for this and provide a way for victims to seek compensation from multiple liable parties. Suppose you are a victim of a multi-vehicle accident. In that case, you need a well-versed St. Pete auto accident attorney by your side to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available to you.

The Importance of a Thorough Investigation

Receiving compensation for your injuries in the right amounts is dependent upon determining who was responsible for the accident that led to your injuries. If you don’t hold the correct parties accountable, you won’t receive any compensation at all. As such, all multi-car crashes should have a thorough investigation.

At our firm, we have the experience and resources necessary to ensure a comprehensive investigation is performed into your accident. We often use the expertise of accident reconstructionists to help us understand how the accident occurred and who is liable. Without such an investigation, you may never know who is truly to blame for your injuries, decreasing the chances of fair financial compensation.

Who is Liable?

Any number of drivers or even other parties, such as an employer or car manufacturer, could be liable if an accident involves several cars. There is no limit to the number of people or parties that a victim can pursue compensation from after an accident. For example, maybe one car started the accident by speeding, but the person they hit was following the vehicle in front of them too close, so they hit them. Perhaps the person they hit wasn’t wearing their seatbelt, causing them to be ejected from the vehicle and suffer extensive injuries. Another car may have had to swerve to miss hitting that victim and hit another car in the process. There are countless scenarios that involve multiple-party liability.

All pertinent facts will be considered during settlement negotiations. It’s possible to settle with one or more parties but end up in court with the rest. If your case ends up in a courtroom, the court will determine the value of your damages. Then, they will decide which parties are liable and their percentage of fault. The court will order them to pay a portion of your damages that correlates with their degree of fault.

For instance, if the court determines that one party is 20 percent at fault for your $10,000 in damages and another is 50 percent at fault, the former party will pay $2,000, and the latter will pay $5,000. Whether your case settles out of court or not, representation from an experienced St. Pete auto accident lawyer is crucial to obtaining the financial recovery you deserve.

You Can Count on a St. Pete Auto Accident Attorney from Tragos, Sartes & Tragos

At Tragos, Sartes & Tragos, our St. Pete auto accident lawyers know how confusing multiple car accidents can be. Yet, they also know how essential it is to hold the right parties accountable. They can help take the confusion out of your case and fight for your legal rights. We offer no-obligation consultations to get your case started. Contact us today to schedule yours by calling (727) 441-9030 or reaching out online.