Recovering after any auto accident is challenging; however, the situation is particularly complex if you are involved in a multi-car accident. Due to the challenges these incidents present, it is crucial that you hire our experienced Connecticut car accident attorneys from Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers for assistance with your claim.
Multi-car accidents occur when three or more vehicles collide. While it may be cars, it can also be pickup trucks, SUVs, garbage trucks, tractor-trailers, vans, and more.
After multi-vehicle accidents occur, the important question is not about the type of vehicles involved but who or what company is liable (responsible) for the accident.
The Potential Challenges of Multi-Car Accidents
We understand the confusion caused by multi-car accidents and are ready to help accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Some of the most common challenges involved with these incidents include the following:
Determining The Chain of Events in the Accident
The aftermath of a multi-car accident can be confusing, and determining how it occurred is important but difficult. While this is true, it is crucial to determine who is at fault for the incident. It is important to know who is at fault so you know who should pay for your injuries and losses.
Our attorneys will work to determine the chain of events by investigating the accident scene. This includes examining the damage to all vehicles involved, interviewing witnesses, reviewing photos and video footage, and utilizing evidence from other sources.
We can also use the services of an expert accident reconstructionist who can use their knowledge and skills to piece together what happened and how the accident occurred.
Determining the Negligent Driver or Drivers
After determining what occurred, the next step is to find the responsible party or parties. In a two-vehicle accident, there is usually a single victim and a single negligent driver. However, with multi-car accidents, several people may be victims, and several drivers may be negligent.
An example would be if someone speeding ran into the back of an SUV; however, the SUV driver was tailgating your vehicle and hit you after the initial collision. In this situation, the person speeding and tailgating would be considered negligent, and both would be partially responsible for your injuries and losses.
However, if the SUV driver had not been tailgating, but the initial collision was so strong that they could not avoid hitting the back of your vehicle, the speeding driver would likely be the only party liable.
Determining Other Factors That Played a Role in Your Accident
Besides driver negligence, several other factors may contribute to your multi-car accident. Examples include road hazards, vehicle defects, and more. When we begin investigating your accident, a challenge is figuring out if these other factors were at play rather than (or in addition to) driver negligence.
In some situations, these other factors will combine with cases of driver negligence and result in a multi-vehicle accident. An example would be a speeding driver hitting a pothole, resulting in them losing control and hitting several vehicles. Another example is if a distracted driver’s brakes do not work, and they cause a multi-car accident.
Determining Liability
After our team has determined the cause or the causes of a multi-vehicle collision, the next challenge is determining what company or companies are liable. Based on the situation, there are several possibilities, such as:
- Auto insurance companies
- Trucking companies or employees
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Road construction contractors or government authorities
- Dealerships, repair shops, and maintenance shops
These are considered “causal factors” in a multi-vehicle accident and can be used to determine company responsibility and help ensure the proper claim or claims are filed.
Pursuing More Than One Claim (If Needed)
Sometimes, you must file several accident claims against multiple parties for your losses. For example, if you were seriously injured in a multi-vehicle pileup, our investigation may show that two drivers were negligent and a road issue caused the collision.
In this situation, our attorneys can file claims on your behalf based on negligence.
Schedule a free legal consultation with our personal injury team.
Recovering Compensation for Your Damages
After your accident, you have a right to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages resulting from the accident. This can include compensation for:
- Property damage to the vehicle
- Medical expenses for injuries
- Loss of consortium
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Diminished earning capacity
- Costs for vehicle repair or replacement
- Lost wages due to injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
When filing your claim for compensation, it is important that you understand the laws of comparative negligence here in Connecticut.
Comparative Negligence Laws in Connecticut that Apply to Multi-Car Accidents
When it comes to determining how much compensation you receive for the damages suffered in your accident, the state of Connecticut follows the modified comparative negligence system. This system states that any person can seek compensation for the damages and losses that they face as a result of the accident so long as they do not share more than 51% of the responsibility for the collision occurring.
In a situation where multiple parties are responsible for the collision, the award that you receive for your damages will be divided in proportion to the fault that each person shared for the collision. For example, if you were awarded $100,000 for the damages you suffered, and the court determined that three drivers were responsible for the accident, the three drivers would be required to pay you a combined total of $100,000, which is based on the amount of fault they shared. If the court determined that you were 20* responsible for the accident, the compensation you recover would be reduced by 20%. In the aforementioned situation, you would be able to recover $80,000 from the other liable parties.
It is in your best interest to have a personal injury lawyer in Connecticut by your side to ensure you are able to get the maximum possible compensation.
Our Connecticut Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
We understand how confusing it can be to navigate the legal process after a multi-vehicle collision. Our legal team is here to help each step of the way.
The first step is to contact our Connecticut personal injury law firm and schedule a free consultation. We can discuss your case and create a plan to move forward and help you recover the full compensation you are entitled to.
We have years of experience representing accident victims like you at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers. Let us guide you through this challenging process.
