It is critical to identify the liable party in the case of an auto accident as they are responsible for paying for the damages and the medical bills incurred by the affected if any. In the case of a multi-vehicle accident, this task can often prove to be very confusing. It may require an in-depth investigation to fully uncover who was at fault for the accident.
It is advised to consult Riverside car accident lawyer for defending your case in such a case to help you claim compensation in the case of any damages or injuries. Hence here are a few reasons why identifying the liable can be confusing in such cases:
- Multiple Parties May Share Fault In Some Cases: In the case of multi-vehicle accidents, it becomes a tedious task to identify the negligence of all parties involved in causing the accident. Reckless driving of one vehicle can be overlooked very easily by another distracted driver, which may result in severe injuries and damage to the car of both parties. This can also easily contribute to the accident of several other vehicles.
- It May Require An In-Depth Investigation: It can often prove difficult to piece together the cause of a multi-vehicle accident. This is because the drivers will all have their versions of the incident. Having access to dashcam or traffic camera footage helps immensely identify the party(ies) at fault and determine their contributions to causing the accident. This may often cause the statements of a party to be overseen. Thus it is vital to consult an expert such as a Riverside car accident lawyer to defend your case.
- Comparative Fault: In many cases of a multi-vehicle accident, if you are held liable to have contributed towards the accident caused, the percentage of your fault shall determine if you can seek compensation. The percentage of your fault also determines the amount of compensation you receive, and an amount equal to your fault percentage is reduced from the total amount you receive. This usually slows down the procedure of processing claims, and it takes a longer time for the favored settlement.
- Parties Other Than The Drivers May Share Liability: It can often complicate the determination of liabilities when entities other than the drivers may have contributed towards the accident. They may be pedestrians or other parties that have influenced the accident in any way. Such investigations take longer as there are not just the drivers but also the presence of other entities and other factors to be considered.
Final Thoughts
Determination of liability can be very confusing in the case of multi-vehicle accidents. If you suffer injuries in a multi-vehicle accident, an attorney like Riverside car accident lawyer can help you investigate the cause and better understand your right to compensation.
In addition, these investigations take a longer period as there are multiple parties involved and the possibility of multiple factors contributing to the accident. This may also take insurance companies a longer amount of time to fully assess the situation and agree.