Liability, Responsibility, and Compensation in Multi-Car Crashes

When people typically think of car crashes, they tend to think of a single car colliding with another. While this is certainly a common type of car accident, it is not the only kind. Many accidents happen every year that involve multiple vehicles. These kinds of accidents tend to be more severe and cause longer traffic delays, but how do they influence the determining of fault in the accident? Who pays compensation for injuries that are sustained by those involved in the crash?

The determination of fault and compensation collection varies from state to state. In the State of Florida, there are clear guidelines for multi-car accidents known as the pure comparative fault system. Under these laws, your percentage of fault in the accident is subtracted from the amount that you would owe in compensation. The percentage of fault is typically determined by the authorities after an accident, as multi-car crashes almost always involve police intervention for reporting. As with normal accidents, fault is usually assessed by negligence or failure to follow road rules.

For example, if you were mandated to provide $10,000 in compensation to those injured in the accident and were deemed 10% at fault for the accident, then you would only have to pay out $9000. In Florida, the auto insurance company can also assist in paying this amount. Of course, this principle applies if you are the injured individual, you receive that same amount from the other parties in the accident.

If you are involved in a car accident, multi-car or otherwise, it is always a good idea to work with an attorney while filing your personal injury claim. In these cases especially, things can get complicated quickly and having an attorney on your side will help you figure out exactly what you need to do to receive the compensation that you deserve. To learn more about how we can serve you in this way, please call us any time at (813) 872-0929 to schedule your free consultation.