Determining Fault in a Multi-Car Accident
While fault can be contested in any car accident case, collisions involving three or more drivers are especially complicated. Determining fault for a multi-car accident in Pennsylvania will take an investigation into who or what caused the crash, such as which driver had the right-of-way and which did not. Receiving your fair share of financial compensation for a multi-vehicle collision may require hiring a highly skilled Pittsburgh car accident attorney.
Is Pennsylvania a No-Fault State?
Deciding who is liable, or legally and financially responsible, for a multi-car accident starts with understanding Pennsylvania’s choice no-fault law. In Pennsylvania, drivers can choose between having no-fault insurance or traditional fault-based insurance when they purchase their automobile policies.
If drivers involved in a multi-car accident have no-fault insurance, they will seek financial recovery from their own insurance providers, regardless of who is at fault. While this is generally an easier claims process, it may not result in as much financial compensation. Drivers with fault-based insurance can pursue damages from the party at fault for causing the crash.
How Is Fault Determined When Multiple Drivers Are Involved?
To determine fault for a car crash involving three or more motor vehicles, an investigation will be conducted. The automobile insurance companies involved in the case will investigate the cause of the crash. Individual drivers also have the right to hire attorneys to conduct unbiased investigations into the reason behind the collision.
Common causes include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while impaired
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Auto defects or mechanical failures
In a three-way car accident, fault may be divided between multiple parties or be given entirely to one driver. In a chain reaction crash, which is a chain of rear-end collisions, the initial driver who caused the first collision can be held responsible for all subsequent collisions. If a multi-vehicle accident occurred due to two drivers making a mistake, however, they could share fault.
Pennsylvania’s Comparative Negligence Rule
In Pennsylvania, all parties who contributed to a harmful accident will be held responsible for their proportion of fault. The comparative negligence rule states that if a percentage of fault is allocated to a party in a car accident case, that party can still be eligible for partial financial compensation. However, the amount of damages awarded will be reduced by an equivalent percentage.
For example, if one driver in a multi-car collision has 15 percent of fault and another has 85 percent, the driver with 15 percent would have their financial recovery reduced by 15 percent. The other driver would not be eligible for any damages, as Pennsylvania caps the ability to recover compensation at 50 percent of fault. If a third or subsequent driver was involved and did not contribute to the crash at all, they would receive 100 percent of any compensation awarded.
When to Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Pennsylvania
Multi-vehicle car accidents in Pennsylvania can be more difficult to deal with than standard collisions. Hiring a top-rated injury attorney in Pittsburgh, PA to represent you is the best decision you make as a victim of this type of crash. You can trust your attorney to seek maximum financial compensation for your losses from one or more at-fault parties.
Your lawyer will work hard to maximize your financial recovery using an in-depth understanding of Pennsylvania’s insurance laws and the impact that the car accident has had on your life. Speak to an attorney today if you were recently injured in a multi-car crash in Pennsylvania. Contact Dallas W. Hartman P.C. for a free consultation.