Determining fault in a car accident case is important to those involved and seeking compensation. However, this can be difficult, especially if the accident involves multiple vehicles. A chain reaction car accident involves three or more vehicles. This type of accident occurs when one event leads to a series of collisions between multiple vehicles. Because of the many parties involved, determining liability requires extensive legal investigation and other resources.
It is common for a chain reaction accident to be caused by one driver’s negligence or mistake, where one car hits another, which then collides with another, but that is not always the case. It is possible that multiple parties could share fault. For example, the driver that collided with a vehicle first may have had to swerve unexpectedly into the lane because another driver was being reckless.
Because shared fault is a possibility, determining liability is difficult. An accident reconstructionist or a forensic expert can work closely with the crash scene and other investigators to help determine the events of the crash. Consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer who has access to these resources is imperative for determining liability.
For Pennsylvania drivers, it is important to understand that it is a “modified” comparative negligence state. Should an accident case go to court, both parties will be assigned a percentage of fault. The damages awarded to the plaintiff is reduced by their percentage of fault. If the plaintiff is found to share 25 percent of the responsibility, then the damages awarded to them is reduced by 25 percent. However, if they share over 50 percent of fault for the accident, then they are not awarded any amount.
How to File an Insurance Claim for a Chain Reaction Accident?
Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state. This type of protection means that you contact your own insurance company for compensation, regardless of who was found at fault. Only if the injuries are serious enough can you file a claim directly against the at-fault driver. In Pennsylvania, the amount of compensation you receive largely depends on the coverage you purchased and the seriousness of your injuries.
If you get into a multi-vehicle accident, or any type of car crash, contact the police right away, even if the damage seems minor. The police can file a report detailing the accident. Furthermore, having the help of an accident lawyer and their resources is beneficial.
Chester County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Those Affected by Multi-Vehicle Accidents
If you were in a multi-vehicle car accident, you need the help of an experienced accident lawyer. Contact our Chester County car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Call us at 610-565-3701 or fill out our online form for an initial consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.