Determining Liability in Multiple Car Collisions

Determining who is at fault in multiple-car collisions is necessary for resolving disputes and adjusting claims. All victims deserve the right to know who is responsible for causing the accident so that they can be awarded any damages that may be available. If you are seeking compensation for injuries and damages, consider visiting with the experienced personal injury attorneys at Tyroler Injury Law at 651-259-1113 for a free consultation to ensure your legal rights remain protected.

The Importance of Proving Fault

As per common practice among insurance companies, it is very likely that they will vigorously defend their insured motorist in an attempt to avoid paying full damages and compensation to a victim. This is why it is so important for victims to consider retaining experienced legal representation when involved in a collision with multiple vehicles. Not only does proving fault give the victim the opportunity to be made whole and help pay for damages and medical expenses, but it also serves to determine at what percentage the driver is at fault under Minnesota law. Some of these calculations can prove legally challenging and complex. Visiting with an attorney can help you better understand the amount of compensation you deserve after a determination is made regarding fault in your car accident.

Rear-End Collisions

Many times, multiple-vehicle accidents involve several rear-end collisions. This chain reaction of accidents involving several automobiles is often the fault of the rearmost vehicle that started the collision. However, this is not always the case, and it is crucial that an investigation of the multiple car collision occurs to ensure the accuracy of the determination of fault. This type of independent investigation is necessary so that there is not inaccurate liability determined for a driver who is not at fault.

Accidents involving several vehicles are often multi-layered and often require a detailed and thorough investigation. Visiting with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you better understand how an investigation into your multiple car collision could result in compensation for your injuries and losses. There are countless scenarios that could result in multiple-car collisions. As such, it is important to investigate each accident independently. This type of investigation helps to ensure that all factors are accounted for and that everyone gets fair consideration.

Determining Factors

While it is true that rear-end collisions are typically easier to determine who is at fault, multiple-car accidents are more legally complex and challenging to determine the driver (or drivers) at fault. This is due to the fact that there are several factors that may impact the circumstances of the collision that are challenging to both discover and interpret such as:

Were any drivers and victims making a left-hand turn at the time of the accident?
If road conditions were not optimal, did any driver fail to make accommodations?
Were the road conditions the direct result of a governmental agency or private contractor failing to clear the construction areas?
Were any local or state traffic laws violated during the duration of the accident?
What kind of road conditions was present at the time of the collisions?
Where did the accident take place?
How many vehicles were involved in the multiple car collision?

Furthermore, it is important to consider information pertaining to the aftermath of the accident. This includes:

Were there any street light cameras or nearby businesses that would have been able to capture the event on video?
Were the road conditions deemed unsafe at the time of the accident by any governmental or weather agency?
Where were the vehicles located after they were involved in the multiple car collision after they came to rest?
Were any of the drivers operating the vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
Did a police officer issue any type of citation following the multiple car collision?
What was the extent of the damages to all involved vehicles?
What was the information documented within police reports?
What was the information documented within statements from witnesses?

In accidents involving multiple vehicles, a substantial amount of evidence and data must be collected in order to make a determination of fault and assess what victims have a legal right to receive under the law. Simple fender-benders can usually be handled strictly through the appropriate insurance providers. But when there are more than two vehicles involved, serious and challenging legal complexities often result.

Types of Compensation Available in Multiple Car Collisions

In many cases of multiple car collisions, there are several victims that suffer both physically and financially. While every multiple car collision will have its own set of facts and circumstances, some of the types of compensation available to victims may include the following:

Reimbursement of medical bills and medical costs related to injuries suffered from the multiple car collision
Future medical bills and costs expected as a result of injuries suffered
Reimbursement for the repair or replacement of any property damage including the vehicle and the contents inside
Reimbursement for any lost wages, including actual salary or wages lost, missed bonuses or promotional opportunities, used sick or vacation time and more
Compensation for future loss of wages if a victim remains unable to return to work due to their injuries
Compensation for pain and suffering resulting from injuries sustained in the multiple car collision
Compensation for non-economic damages including loss of enjoyment of life or inability to perform daily tasks
Costs for medical assistance or daily workers in the home to help with either medical or daily needs
Punitive damages if the cause of the multiple car collision was the result of a driver’s reckless disregard for human life.

How Tyroler Injury Law Can Help You After Your Multiple Car Collision

If you have experienced a multiple car collision, you likely have astronomical medical bills and property damage. Take the time to visit with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys in order to ensure that your legal rights remain protected and that you have the ability to receive the compensation you deserve. Learn how our legal team at Tyroler Injury Law can help you today by contacting us at 651-259-1113.

Attorney Isaac Tyroler

Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]