Some auto accidents in Johns Creek have more than one at-fault party. This is common in multiple-party accidents, and it makes legal cases more complicated. If you were hurt in this type of accident, it’s probably time to speak with a lawyer about fault and compensation.
A Johns Creek multiple-party accident lawyer can help. When several people are involved in an accident, the legal details become murky. The other parties might try to blame you, even if you were not at fault. Several-party accidents can also make the insurance claims process more complicated and confusing.
If you were injured in this type of collision, contact our accident lawyers. We can review your case and go over your legal options. You might deserve compensation from more than one place. To learn more during a free consultation, call (404) 341-6555 or reach out online.
Determining Fault in a Multiple-Party Accident
Georgia is a “fault state.” That means the negligent party in an accident is responsible for the damages.
“Negligence” means a lack of ordinary care under Georgia Code §51-1-2. Everyone in Sandy Springs has a duty to be careful when driving. If someone is not reasonably prudent and causes an injury, that person is probably at fault for the accident.
Every driver must take responsibility for an accident they caused. However, things become more complicated when an accident involves multiple parties. Then, we must turn to Georgia’s partial fault laws.
Modified Comparative Fault in Johns Creek, GA
Georgia has “modified comparative negligence” laws under Georgia Code §51-12-33:
- Comparative negligence means each person’s fault depends on what they contributed to the accident.
- With modified comparative negligence, someone who is 50% or more at fault cannot recover damages from the accident.
- The person’s percentage of fault also reduced their damages by that same amount.
Assigning Fault to More Than One Party
Let’s look at an example. Suppose you were injured in an accident with two other drivers. Driver A was 60% at fault, and Driver B was 40% at fault. You held no fault in the accident.
Here’s how assigning fault and damages works:
- Driver A had $200,000 in damages. However, since they were over 49% at fault, they cannot recover any compensation. They (or their insurance company) are responsible for paying the percentage of damages they contributed to the accident.
- Driver B also had $200,000 in damages. Since they are 40% at fault, the courts will reduce their compensation by 40%. They can only recover $120,000.
- You, as the third driver, had $300,000 in damages. Since you were not at fault, you can seek full compensation for your costs. Driver A and B are responsible for paying your damages based on their percentages of fault.
As you can probably see, multiple-party accidents are complex. The legal side of things is complicated and typically requires help from a lawyer. Your accident lawyer and the insurance companies will determine how much each party is at fault.
Your lawyer usually determines fault through negotiations with the other drivers’ insurance companies and their lawyers. This process takes time and expertise. If you’ve been injured in a crash like this, don’t wait to contact a multiple-party accident lawyer.
Our lawyers have been helping accident victims for over 20 years. We’re not afraid of difficult cases with more than one defendant. We’ll review your options during a free consultation, and we don’t get paid unless we win you money. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online today.
Common Types of Multiple-Party Accidents
Multi-vehicle accidents can happen in any way. However, these types of collisions often involve:
- Drunk driving
- Rear-end accidents
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Excessive speeds
- Failing to yield at intersections
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Semi-truck or 18-wheeler accidents
You’ll need to know the cause of your accident, even if there are several causes. Multiple-vehicle accidents involve carelessness from more than one place. Talk to your lawyer today about gathering evidence for your case.
After an accident, you can usually seek compensation through an insurance claim. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for the accident damages. But you will still need to support your claim with evidence.
If you cannot settle with the insurance company, you might need to file a lawsuit. An experienced lawyer can advise you on the best course of action for your situation. Our car accident lawyers will be there every step of the way if we need to go to court.
Recovering Damages from a Multi-Vehicle Crash
The damages from a multiple-vehicle accident are the same as in a single-vehicle accident. But the damages in multi-car accidents are often more severe.
You might have damages like:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Medication costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Talk to your lawyer about everything you’ve lost from the accident. Also, don’t wait to see a doctor for your injuries. Save all medical bills, receipts, and other documents from your crash.
If you were not at fault for your accident, you have a right to compensation. But you might need to seek recovery from more than one party. This is where a Johns Creek multiple-party accident lawyer can help sort everything out.
Protect Your Legal Rights After a Multiple-Party Accident
Insurance companies will look for ways to pay as little as possible. After your accident, be careful if one of the drivers’ insurance companies contacts you. The insurance adjuster might use tactics like:
- Blaming you for the accident
- Downplaying your injuries
- Questioning some of your damages
- Offering you a lowball settlement upfront
Don’t accept any money from an insurance company without talking to your lawyer first. In fact, it’s best to let your lawyer handle all of the communication with the insurer. Your lawyer can protect you from unfair blame or other sneaky tactics.
Call a Johns Creek Multiple-Party Accident Lawyer
If your accident involved multiple parties, you still have rights. Even if you might be partially at fault, talk to a lawyer about your compensation options.
Our team has been helping accident victims and their families for over 20 years. We’ve handled countless cases with more than one at-fault party. Plus, we don’t get paid unless we win your case for you.
To get started with a free consultation, call (404) 341-6555 or contact us online.
