Determining Fault in a Florida Chain-Reaction Accident

Appropriately assigning fault for a car accident isn’t the simplest task, particularly when several different cars are involved. Keep reading to learn what factors affect fault in a multi-car collision and how fault is determined under these circumstances. 

Chain-Reaction Collisions

This kind of collision is when at least three cars collide into the back of one another in a “chain” of small, connected accidents. These can take place in many different ways, including but not limited to:

• The first stopped car at a stoplight or stop sign stopped is rear-ended several times 
• The second car is rear-ended and collides with the car in front of it 
• The third vehicle came to a sudden stop and caused the fourth vehicle to rear-end them which caused the first two cars to also get rear-ended 
• The first car came to a sudden stop for no reason and caused each car behind them to rear-end the vehicle in front
• The fourth car was speeding and unable to stop in time and rear-ended the third car with enough force to cause all three vehicles to collide, ending with the car at the front.

Chain-reaction collisions happen due to many different factors like speeding or drinking and driving, which slows down your reaction time leaving you unable to respond to an unexpected situation in time to avoid an accident. 

Pure Comparative Fault Laws in Florida

In terms of financial compensation for damages, Florida adheres to the pure comparative fault laws. Based on the rule of pure comparative fault, if a person is found to be even 99% liable for the accident, she or he may still be able to receive some financial compensation but it will be decreased by her or his percentage of liability.

An insurance carrier will generally make every effort to prove that an injured victim is somewhat at fault in order to reduce their financial compensation however they can. It is up to the victim’s Tampa personal injury attorney to lessen this percentage and prove either as little fault as possible or none at all. 

Proof That Can Establish Liability

Liability needs to be established for settlement mediation or to a judge. Chain-reaction accidents typically involve proof such as:

• Photographs of the site, damage to cars, and any visible injury sustained by the vehicle occupants
• A police accident report
• Statements from any eyewitnesses who saw what happened
• Surveillance cameras, store security cameras, and traffic cameras
• Statements from the people involved in the incident
• Any driving laws that were broken

If a chain-reaction collision caused injury to you or to a member of your family, you should get in touch with a Tampa personal injury attorney at Fulgencio Law for help with your accident claim. Our team of Florida car accident attorneys is able to explain these kinds of accidents, how pure comparative fault will impact your claim, and what proof will need to be gathered to establish liability for your damages. Call us at (813) 463-0123 today for a no-obligation legal consultation of your Tampa car accident claim.