Car accident claims are contingent on liability, also known as fault for an accident. Unfortunately, determining who is responsible for a multi-car accident is challenging, and that causes drivers and insurance companies to point the finger. You will need a thorough investigation into who was the primary party responsible and to what extent.
Drivers will have different stories of what happened, but the evidence must support these allegations. The insurance companies will also conduct investigations to determine fault as they see it, usually to your detriment. However, having a Georgia multi-car accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates on your team will change the insurance company’s tactics.
What Causes Multi-Car Accidents?
When you hear about a multi-car pile-up, acts of nature are prominent on the news, but there are other causes of these collisions. Human error is the cause of all significant traffic events, such as:
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Intoxication
- Reduced visibility
- Distracted driving
- Driving too close
Many other causes for multi-car pile-ups in Georgia exist, especially when you factor in commercial trucks and the margin for error their drivers have. If you are in a multi-vehicle pile-up, you must speak with John Foy & Associates immediately.
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Which Insurance Company Pays?
There are various legal avenues for compensation during a multi-car accident which has its pros and cons. The more insurance companies involved, the higher chance that you will get the payment you deserve for your losses. The downside is the more insurance companies, the more negotiations.
These cases are very complex, and the insurance company that pays will depend on how fault is distributed among the drivers and, thus, their insurance companies. Your injuries and other factors of the accident will also determine who pays.
How does Partial Fault Factor In?
When three or more vehicles are involved, shared liability is possible. The key is to ensure you do not have more than 50 percent fault. Since Georgia is a comparative negligence state, fault is complex.
Suppose there are three vehicles, vehicle A has a 10% fault, vehicle B has 39%, and vehicle C has a 51% fault. The insurance companies will reduce fault by those percentages for vehicles A and B, but vehicle C will get nothing. However, any percentage of fault by the insurance company will bring contention, and you need an Atlanta multi-car accident attorney fighting for you.
Do Injuries Factor into Fault?
Yes, injuries can impact your claim exponentially, especially since they will dictate how much the insurance companies must pay. High-speed accidents lead to devastating injuries, and victims have little time to react. Multi-car pile-ups often happen on the freeway, where large vehicles are traveling at high rates of speed.
Larger vehicles in a multi-vehicle pile-up can cause permanent injury, and the truck can cause more cars to collide. Your injuries are different when there is a commercial truck as opposed to a passenger vehicle. Therefore, fault will also be impacted.
Can Multiple Drivers Be Liable?
Georgia knows that multiple parties are at-fault when three or more vehicles are in a collision and works on modified comparative fault. If one driver crashes into the back of another car, causing a chain reaction, you assume the rear driver is at fault. However, other factors play a role in other drivers being at fault.
The initial crash is one element, but the response of the other drivers is another that can affect liability. One of the largest pile-ups was in 2002, involving 120 vehicles at the border of Georgia and Tennessee.
Is it Possible that No One Is at Fault?
Yes, after a thorough investigation, evidence can show that no one was responsible for a multi-car accident. The investigation indicates that external factors like the weather were the cause of the accident, and the drivers did not contribute.
Mother nature is the culprit, but she does not have insurance. If no one is to blame, then your only option for compensation is to file a claim through your insurance policy. The insurance company will not play nice in these instances, and it is best to speak with a Georgia multi-car accident lawyer.
How does a Settlement Work with Multiple Insurance Companies?
The first step is to contact a Georgia multi-car accident attorney who can investigate and file a claim against the relevant insurance company. After determining which insurance company will pay, we will also calculate how much they owe you for compensatory damages like:
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Medical bills and rehab costs
- Emotional trauma
- Lost earnings
- Effects on your ability to work
- Wrongful death
Multiple insurance companies can be liable for paying your losses, and you need someone with experience to negotiate with each company and ensure they pay their fair share. When one policy maxes out, you can recover the remaining balance from another policy, and so on.
Are There Positives to Multi-Car Pile-Ups?
Looking at the bright side seems impossible, but some positives can help your multi-car accident claim. Since these accidents are catastrophic, there are more eyewitnesses to provide unbiased accounts of what they saw. Insurance companies can rarely argue against someone who has no stake in the case.
Multiple insurance companies are another benefit because you can recover the total compensation for your injuries. Insurance policies have limits, and once you exceed those limits, it is challenging to recover payment, but with multiple policies, there are more resources.
Why do I Need Help from a Multi-Car Accident Lawyer in Georgia?
You need an Atlanta multi-car accident lawyer for your claim for several reasons, but the most prevalent is the complexities of dealing with multiple insurance companies. Other services we offer are helping you understand your legal options, managing your legal process, and investigating your claim. Among the most critical roles we play is determining and proving liability for your injuries and negotiating a fair settlement. Multi-car accidents are complex, and you need the Strong Arm in your corner.
Call the office of John Foy & Associates for an initial consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
