While dealing with a crash involving one other driver presents enough challenges, crashes involving multiple vehicles come with additional layers of complexity. From determining who was at fault to dealing with the insurance companies, if you have been injured in a multi-vehicle accident, you will need experienced legal representation in order to protect your rights.

Scenario #1: A Crash Involving Multiple Passenger Vehicles

Let’s consider a common scenario: You are rear-ended while waiting at a stoplight. When you get out of your car, you discover that the vehicle that hit you has been rear-ended as well. Who should be held liable in this type of chain reaction accident?

Assuming you have suffered a significant and permanent injury, your case will likely involve a claim under one or both of the other drivers’ bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance policies. These policies provide fault-based compensation, which means that you must prove that one (or both) of the other drivers was negligent in order to recover just compensation. But, since each insurance company will only pay if its insured driver was at fault, you need to be able to pinpoint the cause (or causes) of the accident in order to secure a financial recovery., your case will likely involve a claim under one or both of the other drivers’ bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance policies. These policies provide fault-based compensation, which means that you must prove that one (or both) of the other drivers was negligent in order to recover just compensation. But, since each insurance company will only pay if its insured driver was at fault, you need to be able to pinpoint the cause (or causes) of the accident in order to secure a financial recovery.

If the vehicle directly behind you was stopped at the time of the collision, then the driver of the third vehicle was most likely at fault in the accident. It is okay that his or her car did not hit yours directly – you can still file a claim for compensation. But, if both vehicles were moving and both drivers had an opportunity to prevent the collision, then each driver’s insurance company may be partially liable for your injury-related losses – and you will need evidence to prove that each driver was partially to blame.

Scenario #2: A Pileup Involving a Commercial Truck

Now, let’s consider another scenario in which you are injured in a multi-vehicle pileup involving a commercial truck. While most people will assume that the truck driver was at fault (and this will often prove to be the case), it is very possible that one or more other drivers caused or contributed to the accident as well. In commercial truck accidents, some of the key insurance issues include:

• Is the truck driver employed by a trucking company, or is he or she an owner/operator?
• Does the truck driver (or the truck driver’s employer) have enough insurance to cover all of the crash victims’ losses?
• If one or more other drivers played a role in the crash, (i) are they insured (and, if so, for how much); and, (ii) is there evidence to prove their liability?

Regardless of the circumstances involved, after a multi-vehicle accident, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. If you have been injured and would like more information, we encourage you to get in touch today.

Request a Free Consultation at Miami Legal Firm

To speak with a Miami personal injury lawyer about your multi-vehicle accident, please contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. You can reach us 24/7, so call (305) 265-2266 or tell us how to reach you online now.