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How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me After a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
Car accidents are terrifying experiences no matter the circumstances surrounding them. Events often unfold so quickly that there isn’t enough time to react. But they become even more complex when multiple vehicles are involved because it’s often difficult, if not impossible, to know who was initially at fault.
If you have suffered an injury or gone through the unspeakable pain of losing a loved one after a multi-vehicle car crash, you need to focus on healing. This is impossible to achieve if you have lost your income because you are unable to work due to your injuries or because your loved one was your sole source of support for your family. You need representation from a law firm determined to get you the result and peace of mind you and your family deserve. At The Law Offices of Jerry Jenkins, P.A., you will find experienced counsel dedicated to providing personalized and effective results that uphold clients’ rights and leave them in a better position than when they arrived. Call us today for a free consultation at 407-573-7483.
What is Liability?
In its simplest form, liability means responsibility. In the insurance world, you purchase a liability insurance policy to protect you in the unfortunate case of a car accident for which you are at fault. Your insurance company pays others when the car accident causes bodily injury or property damage. It would also cover court and legal-related costs if you are sued because of the crash.
Who is Liable in a Multi-Car Accident?
When multiple vehicles are involved in a large-scale accident, it is frequently highly chaotic, and the initial fault determination becomes critical. In most situations, Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning each individual’s car insurance covers their damages and injuries regardless of fault. However, in a multi-car accident, when property damages and injuries are widespread, the insurance liability quickly becomes complex, and determining the exact pattern of initial fault serves as the foundation for subsequent legal proceedings and claims.
What Are Some of the Ways Liability is Determined?
Florida has adopted a system of Comparative Negligence that allows more than one person to share the responsibility for accidents involving multiple drivers. The idea is that if everyone must share the blame for an accident, it will cause drivers to pay closer attention to the road and their driving habits.
An essential aspect of multi-car accidents is that it is not uncommon for more than one driver to contribute to the cause of the collision. That is why law enforcement officers must collect statements from everyone at the scene. When you speak with officers, you must tell them everything you know and leave nothing out. It’s also imperative that you only talk to the officers and not to other victims and refrain from using social media and posting details about the accident or others involved. These posts could hurt your case later on.
What Are Other Contributing Factors to Multi-Car Accidents?
Multi-car accidents are complex and often the result of many different factors. There is frequently a chain reaction where the impact of the initial crash sets off a series of subsequent collisions in which the actions of everyone involved play a role. Determining the liability amid such overwhelming chaos can be tricky.
Inclement weather will contribute to multi-car accidents. Wet or slippery surfaces may make it difficult for drivers to stop in time, and ice or snow on the road may create hazardous conditions.
Human error remains the most significant factor. Distracted driving, speeding, and failing to adhere to road rules set off chain reactions and trigger multi-vehicle events. Pushing people to take responsibility for all their actions no matter what, as Florida has done, will cause people to pay closer attention to their surroundings, thus preventing accidents such as these from occurring in the first place.
What Are the Types of Multi-Car Accidents that Occur?
Multi-car accidents can play out in a multitude of ways. The following scenarios are most common:
- Head-on collisions occur when one car hits the front end of another. Multi-car accidents usually happen when one car swerves from its lane into oncoming traffic
- Rear-End Collisions: These accidents happen when cars hit others from behind. They are usually the result of a sudden and unanticipated stop, which most often triggers a chain reaction.
- Side-Impact- These collisions occur when drivers run into the side of one or more vehicles. This type of accident frequently occurs because a driver has failed to yield or look in their blind spot (such as failing to see another car when changing lanes)
- Pile-up Car Accidents—A pile-up accident involves several vehicles being mangled and frequently crushed together. It is often the most tragic of cases, causing severe injury and even fatalities. These accidents are often the result of severe weather conditions like snow or ice, human error caused by drunk driving, or when a large commercial vehicle jackknifes and causes a pile-up. The aftermath of such an accident is incredibly complex. Determining liability and establishing fault in these cases is difficult.
When Should I Call A Personal Injury Attorney?
If you have been involved in a multi-car accident, you need a dedicated lawyer fighting to get you the compensation you deserve. At the Law Office of Jerry Jenkins, P.A., you will find experienced counsel dedicated to you. Call 407-900-7451 for a free consultation.
