Finding out who is to blame in car accidents is not always clear, especially when multiple vehicles are involved. Below, we discuss the factors of multi-vehicle accidents and how liability is determined in these situations.
If a chain reaction collision caused injury to you or a loved one, you should get in touch with a Knoxville auto accident lawyer at Greg Coleman Law for assistance with your claim. Our legal team can explain these types of accidents, how comparative fault works and what evidence is important to determine who is liable for damages. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.
Types of Multiple Vehicle Accidents
A chain reaction accident involves three or more vehicles that collide in a series of rear-end accidents. There are a number of ways this can occur, including the following:
- The first driver at a stop sign or a traffic light stopped and is hit multiple times from behind
- The second vehicle was hit from behind and collided with the vehicle in front
- The third driver stopped suddenly causing the fourth to collide from behind which also led to the second and first driver getting hit from behind
- The first driver stopped suddenly without reason which caused each person to collide behind him or her
- The fourth driver was driving too fast to stop and hit the third driver with such force that it caused all three to collide with the first driver
Chain reaction accidents occur because of multiple factors such as drinking and not reacting quickly enough to avoid hitting another vehicle or speeding.
Comparative Fault in Tennessee
For damages and compensation, Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. According to this rule, if an accident victim is 50 percent or more at fault for an accident, he or she cannot obtain any compensation. If the accident victim is less than 50 percent at fault, he or she can still pursue the claim, but the compensation a victim may receive will be reduced by his or her percentage of fault.
The insurance company will attempt to demonstrate that the injured party is at least partially at fault to decrease damage awards as much as possible. It is then up to the victim’s legal professional to mitigate this damage and either prove no fault or as little as possible.
Evidence Used to Determine Liability
Liability requires evidence proven in court or for settlement negotiations. Chain reaction collisions usually involve the following types of evidence:
- Pictures of the scene, damage to vehicles and injuries to the driver or passenger
- Accident reports from police officers
- Witness statements from anyone near the accident
- Video surveillance, storefront cams and traffic camera footage
- Statements from anyone involved
- Any violations of the road rules
Other evidence may arise that helps determine factors that contributed to the accident, such as distractions, use of a cellphone, consumption of drugs or alcohol or rash and reckless behavior on the road.
Contact a Skilled Lawyer to Investigate Your Multi-Vehicle Accident
After you or a loved one suffers injury in a chain reaction car accident, you will need the services of an experienced legal team at Greg Coleman Law. Our lawyers can determine if you have a valid claim based on the injuries, evidence available, laws that may affect your claim, and the type of collision and factors surrounding it. Our legal team will communicate with the insurance company, gather additional evidence and review medical files connected to your accident. We can investigate the insurance coverage limits, assess comparative fault and negotiate a settlement that seeks the maximum amount of compensation available in your claim.
Contact us for a free case evaluation. We charge you nothing unless we can recover fair compensation for your claim.
