Determining fault in a car accident is primarily about determining who will be held responsible for the damages and medical expenses. If you accidentally run into a concrete barrier at a parking lot, you’re at fault, and you have to pay for the bodywork on your car.
Suppose you get into an accident because another driver runs a red light and clips your front bumper. In that instance, that other driver would be at fault and 100% responsible for paying for your losses. What happens if you get involved in a multi-vehicle accident?
Determining liability for a multi-vehicle accident is inherently complex. It is entirely possible that more than one person could be at fault. It is advisable to retain the services of a Gulfport car accident lawyer to help unpack what happened and make sure the right parties are held accountable.
The attorneys at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, have years of experience investigating accidents to determine who should be held liable.
Those investigations begin with understanding the root cause of the accident. Once you determine how and why the accident happens, it shouldn’t be hard to determine who is at fault.
What Are the Common Causes of Multi-vehicle Accidents?
Multi-vehicle accidents involve two or more cars, trucks, or other vehicles. They can happen on any road at any time. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 308 multi-vehicle accidents in 2022. The following are some of the common causes of multi-vehicle accidents.
Distracted Driving
One of the most common reasons for a multi-vehicle accident is distracted driving. It only takes a few seconds of distraction to cause an accident. That distraction occurs when you glance at your phone to read a text or handle food or drinks while driving. If you react to a spill from what you’re eating, you can instantly collide with the car ahead of you.
Tailgating
Tailgating happens when you follow the car ahead of you too closely. If that car suddenly stops, you can slam into it if you don’t have the proper braking distance. If that happens at a higher speed, such as on the highway, the severity of the collision will be greater.
Weather Conditions
You have no control over rain, fog, or slick roads, but you do have control over how you drive in those conditions. Slowing down and increasing your braking distance is recommended when weather conditions impact driving.
Rubbernecking
It is the ultimate irony when a driver slows down to look at another accident and ends up being involved in a collision. Rubbernecking can also occur if you are distracted by roadside attractions or signs.
Speeding
The faster you drive, the lower your reaction time becomes. High speeds can also reduce the braking distance, which increases the likelihood of a chain reaction.
Impaired Driving
Driving while intoxicated from alcohol or drugs will impair judgment and reaction time. That can also increase the risk of getting involved in a multi-vehicle accident.
If it can be determined that a driver engaged in any of the above reckless actions, they could be liable for your losses.
How Does Mississippi’s Comparative Negligence Rule Impact Your Claim?
Mississippi follows the comparative negligence rule for personal injury claims. This principle allows for fault to be divided among all the parties involved. That means if you are partially responsible for the accident, you could still be compensated for a portion of your losses.
This also means that the insurance company you’re making a claim against will do everything possible to assign blame to you in order to reduce the amount they have to pay out.
You and your attorney will need to gather the following information to determine who is at fault:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera footage
- Vehicle damage assessments
- Tire skid analysis
- Cell phone records
Assigning liability is crucial for your car accident claim. That is why you want to bring on legal counsel as soon as possible. When the attorneys at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC decide to take on a car accident case, it is because we believe in our client’s version of the accident based on the available evidence.
Once we agree to represent you, we’ll devote the full resources of our office and investigators to help you get the maximum benefits you’re entitled to.
If you’ve been involved in a multi-vehicle accident, we want to hear about it.
