Multiple-vehicle crashes occur when two or more vehicles collide. Multiple-car crashes in North Carolina include head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, lane changes and intersection accidents. Once a multiple-car accident happens, it is often difficult to determine whose fault it was. There is a myth that the first or last car is always responsible for a multiple-car crash, but a case-by-case analysis is essential in determining the cause of the accident.
Proving fault in a multiple-car crash
If you need to win a personal injury claim, you first need to prove fault in the multiple-car accident. Proving fault is also essential in winning claims and lawsuits. The party at fault should compensate for the damages incurred by the other parties. However, every insurance company always defends their client to prove that they were not the cause of the accident. Things could get dicey in the involvement of multiple victims and insurance companies.
Who’s fault is it?
The last person in a multiple-vehicle crash isn’t always at fault. In most cases, they have the least responsibility. The driver responsible for the first wreck is typically liable for all the other collisions. At times, multiple drivers are at fault. In such a situation, assigning fault and awarding compensation becomes difficult. So will your personal injury claim.
Figuring out the cause of the accident
Unfortunately, eyewitness and driver accounts in case of an accident will not always match. A lawyer may compare the witness statements to the parties’ statements when filing a claim. The statements are also compared to the physical evidence at the accident scene.
Figuring out the driver liable in a multiple-car accident is complex. To protect yourself after a multiple-car accident, you may want to contact an attorney for help pursuing compensation from the responsible party.