You’re stopped at a red light when a car hits the vehicle behind you, causing a chain reaction. Now you’re injured, your car is damaged, and two other drivers are involved. Who’s responsible for your damages?
Multi-vehicle accidents create complex liability scenarios that insurance companies often use to delay or deny claims. Understanding liability in multi-vehicle crashes can help protect your right to compensation.
Who’s at Fault?
While many people assume the last driver is always at fault, the reality is more complicated. Multiple parties may share responsibility, and determining each party’s percentage of fault requires thorough investigation.
Insurance companies look at several key factors when determining liability in these accidents:
- Police reports document initial findings about how the crash occurred
- Witness statements help establish the sequence of events
- Physical evidence, including vehicle damage patterns, tells an important story
- Video footage, when available, can provide proof of how the accident unfolded
Even in rear-end chain reactions, liability isn’t always straightforward. For example, if the middle driver was following too closely, they might share responsibility with the last driver. In some cases, vehicle manufacturers might even be partially liable if defective parts contributed to the crash, such as faulty brakes.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Ohio’s comparative negligence laws allow you to recover damages even if you’re partially at fault, as long as you’re not more than 50% responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Let’s say you’re involved in a multi-vehicle accident where your total damages are $100,000, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. After investigation, it’s determined that:
- The rear driver was 60% at fault for following too closely
- The middle driver was 30% at fault for sudden braking
- You were 10% at fault for not having working brake lights
Under Ohio’s comparative negligence law, since you were only 10% at fault (well below the 50% threshold), you can still recover damages. However, your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. In this case, you would be eligible to receive $90,000 (your total damages minus 10%).
Trust the Experts in Multi-Vehicle Accident Liability
Don’t let insurance companies pressure you into accepting their liability determination without question. They often try to shift blame to minimize their payout, especially in complex multi-vehicle accidents.
The Law Offices of Tim Misny has extensive experience investigating multi-vehicle accidents and establishing liability. Call my office at (877) 944-4373 for a free case evaluation. When insurance companies try to dodge responsibility in multi-vehicle accidents, I’ll Make Them Pay!®
