Learning More About Your Accident

A multi-vehicle accident is one in which three or more vehicles are involved. The legal and financial aspects of multi-vehicle accidents are often difficult to untangle because the number of vehicles involved makes things much more complicated than a single-car or two-car accident. The following article addresses some of the most important points to keep in mind about multi-vehicle accidents.

How They Happen

Multi-vehicle accidents can occur in various ways, but perhaps the most common reason they happen is because of a chain reaction. One vehicle will stop or slow down significantly and then several vehicles behind the first one rear-end each other in succession. 

Who Is at Fault? 

One tricky aspect of multi-vehicle accidents is it's often quite difficult to determine who is at fault. Of course, if a driver admits to being at fault, that goes a long way toward settling the issue, but generally, the question must be addressed by other parties, such as the police and insurance companies. If the accident leads to a civil case, then a judge or jury will have the final say.

A key determinant in determining fault is the police report. The police report includes all of the significant details of the accident, such as the names and addresses of the parties involved, the names of any witnesses, statements from anyone involved, whether any driver was violating traffic laws, etc. The insurance companies and lawyers for any of the relevant parties will rely heavily on the police report in subsequent negotiations for compensation or any civil suits.

Evidence

If you are in a multi-vehicle accident and plan to pursue compensation for your injuries or economic losses, you can't just depend on the police or insurance adjusters to have the last word. You will need to gather as much evidence as you can to help your case because the police are very busy and can easily overlook important evidence and insurance adjusters are working for the insurance company, not you. This type of investigation is beyond the ability of the average person to take on themselves, so you will need the assistance of a qualified personal injury lawyer.

Reconstruction

When it's especially difficult to determine who is at fault for a multi-vehicle accident, an accident reconstruction expert often proves useful. The expert will take a look at all of the relevant evidence, such as the police report, the vehicles involved in the crash, the weather and road conditions at the time, as well as any driver errors, and then reconstruct the accident using all the available information. The finished product can take the form of a written report or 3-D model. An attorney can find an accident reconstruction expert for you and have them testify in your case if necessary.

Contact a personal injury lawyer for more information.