Posted on Monday, October 28th, 2019 at 4:10 am
California is an at-fault state for motor vehicle accidents. Therefore, accident victims must prove that another party was responsible for causing the collision before they can receive compensation from those parties for injuries, losses, and damages. Some circumstances can make it more difficult to determine fault for a car crash, as in the case of a multiple vehicle accident.
Investigating a Multiple Vehicle Accident in California
In a two-car crash, fault is usually assigned to one of the drivers. In some cases, both drivers may share fault for the cause of the accident. However, when you have multiple vehicles involved in a traffic accident, it can be more difficult to determine which driver is at fault for the crash. In many cases, experts must be consulted to determine how the crash occurred so that that parties at fault can be identified. Accident reconstructionists use the evidence from the crash scene, eyewitness statements, and other information to reconstruct the accident. By reconstructing the accident, they can examine each factor that contributed to the cause of the collision and identify the driver responsible for each factor. By identifying each driver who may have played a role in the cause of the crash, we can pursue a personal injury claim against those specific drivers.
Assigning Fault in a Multiple Vehicle Accident
Under California’s pure comparative fault law, damages are divided between negligent parties based on their percentage of fault for causing the accident. Therefore, in a multiple vehicle accident, contributing factors become very important. A driver who may have a small percentage of fault can still recover some compensation from the other drivers who had higher percentages of fault for causing the accident. For example, let’s assume you are involved in a multiple vehicle accident with three other drivers. At trial, the jury finds that you played a minor role in causing the crash and assigns you 10 percent under the comparative fault system. Any compensation that you are entitled to receive for your damages and losses will be reduced by 10 percent. You may also be liable for 10 percent of the damages of the other drivers if they pursue a claim against you for your negligence in causing the multiple vehicle accident.
You Need an Experienced Sacramento Car Accident Attorney
Accident claims can be difficult to win, especially when they involve complicated areas of law like comparative fault. Each insurance company involved in the claim tries to ensure that as much blame for the crash as possible is assigned to other drivers. By doing so, the insurance companies reduce their liability for damages and pay less to settle their portion of the injury claims. Hiring an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney is one of the best ways you can protect your legal rights and best interests. An experienced attorney has the resources and skills needed to investigate and develop a complex claim involving a multiple vehicle accident. An experienced attorney understands the importance of using experts to investigate the crash to ensure that the blame for the accident is placed on the correct individuals. If you have been injured in a car accident, let our legal team fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced California car accident attorneys.
