
Establishing liability when a car accident occurs is already tricky enough. What happens when multiple parties get involved? Accidents are unpredictable, and what may start as a crash between two parties can quickly spiral out of control. When more than three parties are involved in an accident, you need to sift through and find out who is ultimately responsible.
If you sustained personal injuries due to a multiple party accident, getting a multiple party accident lawyer can help. Not only can your lawyer fight for your case and negotiate on your behalf, but you will also get expert assistance in figuring out who was responsible for the accident in the first place.
Our Smyrna car accident lawyers are ready to assist. With decades of experience, we are guided by our mission to help our clients reach their goals and get them on the road to recovery. If you do not win financial compensation, you do not have to pay us anything. Call us today at (404) 341-6555 for a free consultation.
How Multiple Party Accidents Happen
Here are some reasons why multiple party accidents occur:
- Driving under the influence (DUI), also referred to as driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Road hazards and lack of road maintenance
- Speeding
- Bad weather
Multiple party accidents, and accidents in general, usually happen either through negligence or simple acts of nature. While an act of nature is not the fault of the driver, negligence is. All drivers on the road are required to drive responsibly and with care for others. Engaging in risky driving behaviors is a sign of negligence and puts the driver at risk of being responsible for any accident that occurs.
Sometimes no driver is at fault, and the blame can belong to construction workers or the government for the lack of maintenance of the roads. While it is easy to find one source who is the catalyst of the events, this does not mean that source alone is the only one responsible.
Finding the Responsible Parties
Consider this example: vehicle A is speeding down the street and crashes into vehicle B, which was making an illegal u-turn, which then crashes into vehicle C, which was entering the wrong way of a one-way lane. Vehicles A, B, and C then affect other vehicles sharing the street and cause damages.
While vehicle A is the catalyst for the accident, vehicles B and C would also be at fault because of the illegal maneuvers they were making. A judge and a jury may find all three parties liable for the accident, despite the accident being initially caused by vehicle A. This scenario is why establishing negligence and liability is so difficult when it comes to multiple party accidents. There are a lot of variables and other factors to consider.
This specific example, while not always likely, illustrates that in the event of an accident involving multiple parties, you need to account for everybody’s actions. Regardless if there might be a legitimate reason for the mistakes each driver makes, the responsibility lies on those whose negligent actions caused property damage and bodily injury to others.
Gathering Evidence
To accurately determine all the responsible parties, you need to gather evidence. Before you begin collecting evidence after an accident, make sure that you and those around you are safe. If anyone needs medical attention, call for emergency services. If the accident caused massive damage, make sure that you are in a safe area away from any potential hazards.
Once you have made sure everything is safe, take pictures of the accident. Take photos of the location, the damages, and the vehicles involved. If there were any witnesses, be sure to talk to them to get their statement. You always want to call the police to make sure that the accident is on record.
You also want to keep any receipts, bills, invoices, and medical records safe as well. These are key pieces of evidence to calculate the severity of your damages. Juggling and maintaining all of the evidence you collected can be overwhelming. A good lawyer experienced with multiple party accidents can help make things streamlined and organized.
Get Help for You Accident in Smyrna Today
Multiple part accidents can happen anywhere. If you are involved in a multiple party accident, get the help of a car accident lawyer in Smyrna today. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) ยง9-3-33, you have two years to claim your case. The longer you delay, the more evidence deteriorates. Do not wait to get the compensation you deserve.
Our team is dedicated to helping our clients. We know that injuries are traumatic and stressful. Allow us to help you get justice for what happened and help you win a settlement that will cover your damages. We will fight for you in court and negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure the compensation you receive is fair. Call us at (404) 341-6555 for a free consultation so we can discuss all of your options. If we do not win your compensation, you do not have to pay us anything.