How is Fault Established in a Florida Pile-Up Accident?
Properly attributing blame for a car crash is not the easiest thing to do, especially when multiple vehicles are involved. Listed below are some of the various factors that can impact liability following a multi-car accident and how fault is established under these conditions.
Chain-Reaction/Pile-Up Accidents
A chain-reaction accident, also known as a pile-up accident, is a style of car accident that occurs when three or more vehicles crash into the rear-end of each other in a series of consecutive accidents. These crashes can range from minor collisions to major impacts and can happen in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
- The #1 vehicle is stopped at a red light or stop sign and is rear-ended multiple times
- The #2 vehicle is rear-ended and crashes into the vehicle in front of it
- The #3 vehicle comes to an unexpected stop causing the #4 vehicle to rear-end it which in turn causes the #1 and #2 vehicles to get rear-ended
- The #1 car comes to an unexpected stop and causes each subsequent vehicle to rear-end the preceding one
- The #4 car is speeding and cannot stop in time, causing it to rear-end the #3 car with enough power to make all three vehicles collide, ending with the #1 car
Florida’s Pure Comparative Fault Laws
When considering financial compensation for accident-related losses, Florida obeys the laws of pure comparative fault. According to the rules of pure comparative fault, if a driver is determined to be even 99% at-fault for the crash, they might still be eligible to collect financial compensation but it will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Proof That Can Determine Liability
Liability has to be determined to satisfy the requirements of mediation or a civil court judge. The fault for chain-reaction collisions is established by evidence such as:
- Pictures of the scene, damage to vehicles, and any apparent injury suffered by any occupant of the vehicle
- Your copy of the police incident report
- Statements from witnesses who saw the accident
- Surveillance videos, store security videos, and traffic cameras
- Statements that were given by other people involved in the crash
As with every kind of personal injury case, the endless number of variables makes your claim unique. Someone with a case that sounds very similar to yours could end up with a very different outcome than what you should expect. This is just one of the many reasons why hiring a skilled attorney is beneficial to your Florida personal injury claim.
Your attorney will know the most thorough and efficient way of collecting vital evidence that proves you were not at fault for the accident. Establishing this fact is essential to the success of your Tampa personal injury case.
If you have sustained injuries during any kind of accident that was caused by another person’s negligence or carelessness, there is evidence out there that will substantiate your claim. A reputable personal injury attorney from Fulgencio Law will be able to help you. Call us at (813) 463-0123 to schedule your free Tampa personal injury consultation today.
