Multi-car crashes are among the most complex cases in car accident law due to the difficulty in determining liability. In such incidents, multiple parties often share responsibility, and understanding how to work through issues of liability in the context of Texas law is difficult: which is why you’ll likely need to work with an experienced accident attorney in San Antonio, baddieshub TX to get the full compensation you deserve.
Understanding Comparative Fault in Texas
Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” system, which means that multiple drivers can be found at fault in a car accident, and each driver will be assigned a “percentage” of fault based on what they did or did not do at the time. Under this system, each driver’s liability is determined based on that percentage of fault. Anyone 51% or more at fault can collect nothing. Let’s consider an example.
Say an accident occurs involving three cars. One driver ran a red light that was turning yellow and hit two other vehicles. This driver is found to be 60% at fault. The second driver was texting and thus didn’t see the first driver and is found to be 30% at fault. The third driver honked their car horn at the second driver when the light turned green, which startled the texting driver, who immediately slammed on the gas pedal to get going without looking properly. This third driver is found to be 10% at fault because they violated Texas’ law that horns may only be used in emergency situations.
In this scenario, the first driver could not recover any damages since they were more than 51% at fault. The second driver had $15,000 in damages, but since they were 30% at fault, they will receive $10,500. The third driver had $12,000 in damages, but since they were 10% at fault, they will receive $10,800.
The Importance of Fault
In multi-car crashes, determining each driver’s percentage of fault is a critical step, and you can expect the various drivers and insurance companies involved to dispute their fault levels and attempt to put as much fault as possible on everyone else. This is just one reason having a skilled car accident attorney in your corner is so important. Visit this page to connect with an experience San Antonio car accident attorney. Your attorney will help you work out fault by investigating the accident thoroughly.
Investigating the Accident
Investigating a multi-car crash involves examining various elements to determine how the accident occurred and who is at fault. Evidence collection includes photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, police reports, and video footage. This evidence can provide critical information about the positions of the vehicles, the points of impact, and each driver’s actions before and during the accident.
Accident Reconstruction Experts
Accident reconstruction experts are often called upon in multi-car crash cases. These experts use the collected evidence to recreate the accident, often employing sophisticated software to understand the dynamics of the crash. Their analysis can offer insights into the speed of the vehicles, the angles of impact, and other factors that contribute to determining fault. Chain-reaction accidents, where multiple vehicles are involved in a series of collisions, present unique challenges in determining fault.
In such accidents, the actions of one driver can set off a series of events leading to multiple impacts. Determining who is at fault requires a thorough understanding of the sequence of events and the actions of each driver involved. The evaluation includes assessing whether any of the drivers were following too closely, speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent. In some cases, the initial impact might be the primary cause, but subsequent actions by other drivers could also contribute to the overall accident.
The Impact of Road Conditions and Other External Factors
Road conditions and external factors can also play a role in multi-car crashes, and entities other than drivers can be partially at fault. For example, accidents have been caused by windows and buildings that are too reflective and which blind drivers in certain directions at certain times of day. Likewise, the city can sometimes be found partially liable because of road issues that have not been fixed. However, sometimes these external factors have nothing to do with any fault. Sometimes it’s just poor weather conditions or even the dark.
When evaluating fault, it’s important to consider these external factors. For instance, a driver who loses control on an icy road might not be held entirely responsible if the road conditions significantly contributed to the accident, especially if they are able to show they were driving carefully and obeying all traffic rules.
Your Accident Attorney in San Antonio, TX and Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies in multi-car crashes can be particularly challenging, as each company represents its client’s interests and version of events. An attorney is vital to have here, as they can help you gather and present evidence to support your case and negotiate with insurers to reach a fair settlement.
If you’ve been in an accident involving multiple parties, don’t try to work through the complexities on your own. Contact an experienced lawyer right away.