Any car accident scene is chaotic, and this is particularly true at the scene of a multi-car accident. There can be several injured people among the vehicles involved and several investigators trying to determine what happened. However, determining fault can be tricky after a multi-car accident.
Typically, fault in a California multi-car accident lies with the driver who caused the first impact with another vehicle. However, there can be errors caused by multiple drivers, vehicle defects, and other issues that can make other parties liable as well. If you’ve been injured in a multi-car accident that was caused by someone’s negligence, an experienced car accident attorney at Setareh Law can help you understand the legal process of seeking compensation for the financial and psychological costs of your injury.
Why Fault Matters In California Car Accidents
When it comes to car accidents, California is considered an at-fault state. What this means is that when a car accident occurs, the one who caused the accident is generally responsible for compensating others for the physical harm and property damage they incurred as a result of the at-fault party’s negligence. The source of this compensation is almost always the liability coverage on the at-fault party’s auto insurance policy.
However, it’s important to work with a skilled lawyer during this time, especially if you were harmed due to another party’s negligence. There may be multiple parties who are liable for the accident, such as the vehicle manufacturer, a pedestrian, or even a government entity. Comparative negligence can also affect who is at fault.
How Fault Is Determined
When an accident occurs in which someone was injured, there are often three types of investigations that take place. The police will investigate in order to determine if someone has broken the law. Insurance companies will investigate to determine whether they’re on the hook for the insured’s liability and the value of the losses they’re obligated to cover. Then, the injured party’s attorney will investigate in order to determine who was liable and how to prove that liability.
Liability refers to the legal responsibility an individual has to compensate others they have harmed through carelessness in a given circumstance. All drivers who operate vehicles on California roadways have what is known as a “duty of care” to take responsible actions in order to avoid harming others. This duty includes not only following local, state, and federal laws but also ensuring that their vehicle is properly maintained and capable of being operated safely on the road.
The evidence that an attorney can use to prove liability in a car accident injury case includes the police accident report, photos from the scene, witness testimony, the testimony of accident reconstruction specialists, and video footage from traffic, business, or residential surveillance cameras. Attorneys can use this to help determine fault after a multi-car accident.
The Services an Attorney Can Provide
Proving that someone else was at fault for causing an accident that resulted in injuries is a crucial part of having a successful car accident claim. When an experienced personal injury attorney handles the claims process for you, they will provide a number of services to establish liability, starting with the investigation that they perform on the accident. They will analyze the available evidence to determine all sources of fault and all insurance resources that can be accessed to compensate you.
Having as many insurance resources available as possible is important, as all auto liability coverage is subject to policy limits, which place a maximum value on the amount of coverage the insurer will provide for the claim. Many people operate their vehicles with only the minimum coverage that is illegally required in their state, which is often insufficient to adequately compensate the claim if there are serious injuries requiring missed time from work and extensive medical treatment.
If You Were Injured In a Multi-Car Accident, Contact Setareh Law
Being injured in a multi-vehicle accident is a distressing and chaotic event. The legal team at Setareh Law can help you receive the maximum amount of compensation that is available for your claim. We understand you likely have questions about your claim, and we are available to meet with you where it is convenient, whether that is our office, your home, the hospital, or even at the nursing home where you’re receiving rehabilitative care. Our team also speaks Spanish.
Let an experienced car accident attorney explore your legal options with you. For a free case evaluation, call Setareh Law at (310) 659-1826 or contact us online.