Liability issues in a multi-car Accident become far more complicated unlike when an accident involves two cars. The good news is you won’t have to go through all the evidence to determine who is liable. A good Providence car accident lawyer should be able to do this for you.

Accidents involving more than one car happen often and they happen when you least expect them. Thankfully not all multi-car accidents are fatal but filing a Car Accident claim could prove to be quite a challenge. One of the reasons for this is the fact that it’s not easy to tell what led to the accident. Factors such as visibility, weather, driving under the influence, and speeding could all have contributed to the accident and because several parties were involved, you may never know what happened.

Can you hold more than one person liable in a multi-car accident in Providence, RI?

Accidents can sometimes occur due to a chain reaction. For example, when a driver suddenly stops, the driver behind him may not stop in time to avoid an accident. This leads to what is known as a pile-up. Below are some of the factors that might contribute to a multi-car accident:

• Distracted driving. This is when a driver is too distracted and ends up getting into an existing car accident.
• Disobeying traffic rules. When a driver for example runs a red light the driver coming in the other direction might not have enough time to stop to avoid an accident.
• Driving under the influence. This not only slows down the driver’s reaction time but it also impairs their judgment and makes it easy for them to get into an accident.
• Inexperience. Some drivers may not know how to take evasive actions when they are confronted with an impending car accident.

Who determines who should pay in a three-car accident?

A number of professionals will contribute to the outcome of the car accident claim. Police officers at the scene of the accident will write a report showing exactly what happened. The insurance company will conduct its own investigation to determine who should be held liable. You and the other drivers involved with the accident will hire a Providence Car Accident Lawyer who will negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you get maximum compensation. All these professionals will play an important part in determining who should pay in a three-car accident.

The police

While they do not directly decide who pays for damages, a police report directly impacts the outcome of your car accident claim. They collect evidence, talk to witnesses and also talk to all drivers involved in the accident. They also call emergency services for the injured people. They only document facts that they observe and collect all physical evidence that supports these facts.

Insurance companies

More likely than not, the insurance company will pay for your damages and injuries. However, insurance companies have the right to deny a claim if their investigations show that you do not deserve to be compensated. If there is enough evidence to support your claim, the insurance company will only pay for damages covered by your policy.

The judges and the jury

If you are unable to come to an agreement with the insurance company, your car accident lawyer in Providence will file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf. Judges usually encourage all parties to negotiate and come to an agreement with minimal Court intervention as the lawsuit proceeds through the courts. If this doesn’t happen, the judge will move forward by requiring arbitration, mediation, or a settlement conference. If this step does not work, the judge will set a trial date where they will listen to the case alone and issue a judgment ordering the liabilities to pay. 

If the car accident case goes before a jury, the judge will preside over the jury trial. They will provide the jury with instructive information about legal procedures and issues. The jury will then decide who should receive compensation and how much they should receive.

A Providence car accident lawyer

Your car accident lawyer in Providence will influence the insurance company’s payment decision if they know what they’re doing. They will conduct their own investigation and evaluate the value of your claim based on your injuries, the warned potential, and legal issues.

You should immediately contact one of our lawyers for guidance by calling 401-751-0101. We offer free initial consultations and we will also calculate the value of your claim.