Navigating Insurance Claims in Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Injury claims involving two-car accidents are already stressful. When you’re involved in a crash with three or more vehicles, it’s a logistical nightmare. Fault is often split among multiple drivers, and each driver has their own insurance policy with different limits and restrictions. In situations like these, it’s essential to find a car crash lawyer you trust and rely on their assistance.

Have you been injured in a multi-vehicle collision? Don’t wait too long to seek compensation—everyone else’s insurance companies are fighting for their own best interests. You need someone advocating for you. Call Peake & Fowler at 803-788-4370 to set up a consultation with our team of Columbia car accident lawyers.

Figuring Out Liability After a Multi-Vehicle Crash

A key part of any car accident claim is determining liability. The process is often straightforward with two-vehicle crashes. Usually, liability lies with one driver. In rare cases, liability lies with a municipality, manufacturer, or repair shop. This means that the victim can seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.

That’s not quite as easy in a multi-vehicle collision. There are multiple points of impact, and you have to analyze each one to figure out who made an error in judgment and how it affected the accident. Your attorney may recommend the help of an accident reconstruction expert. They can look at the evidence provided, figure out where the first collision happened, and then assess each point of contact after that. This makes it easier to figure out whose error led to the initial crash and whose mistakes made the collision worse.

When Liability is Split Among Multiple Parties

In many multi-vehicle crashes, liability is split among multiple drivers. It’s rare for just one person’s mistakes to cause multiple cars to crash. Consider a three-car crash. From front to back, you have Car A, Car B, and Car C. Car C isn’t paying attention and hits the brakes too late, crashing into Car B. Car B was just a few inches behind Car A’s bumper, and the force of the initial crash pushes them into Car A. 

Car C would likely have the lion’s share of liability since they should have stopped before hitting Car B. However, Car B may also have some liability. They should have left enough space in between them and Car A, and their choice not to do so turned a regular rear-end collision into a three-car chain reaction accident.

South Carolina is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that even if a victim is partially to blame for an accident, they can still seek compensation from the other party—as long as their share of blame is less than 51%. In this case, Car B could seek compensation for their injuries and losses, as they likely suffered the worst outcomes in the crash. Even though they were partially liable, that doesn’t stop them from suing Car C.

Navigating Issues with Multiple Insurance Providers

Perhaps the most challenging part of multi-vehicle accidents is working with multiple insurance companies. All insurance companies have their own best interests in mind, but it’s especially challenging when you have multiple insurance companies going up against each other. You’ll struggle to get anyone to accept liability since everyone knows they can try to point the finger at someone else. Each insurance provider will do their own crash investigation, and each will likely have different results.

That’s one of the reasons you need a lawyer for a Columbia car crash claim. They can take a proactive approach to your claim, conduct their own investigation, and go directly after the liable party for compensation. This shortens the process and gives you a better shot at full and fair compensation.

Start Your Claim with the Team at Peake & Fowler

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, your next step is to call the team at Peake & Fowler. We’re committed to helping victims pursue the compensation they’re owed. Take the first step right now by scheduling your free consultation. Call us at 803-788-4370 or fill out our online contact form to set up a case evaluation now.