If you have been involved in a multi-car accident in Georgia, you may not know where to turn. It’s hard to know for sure who really caused the accident. You don’t want to make a mistake by filing your insurance claim against the wrong policy.
For all you know, the other two drivers are claiming that you caused the crash. Rather than take that risk, you should call and speak with one of our Columbus car accident lawyers. While multi-car accidents are more complicated than others, they can be navigated if you know what you’re doing.
Our Columbus car accident lawyers have handled more than their fair share of multi-car accident cases. They understand who they need to sue and what types of damages to demand. As far as they are concerned, it shouldn’t matter who pays your damages.
As long as you get the compensation you deserve, it doesn’t really matter which driver is held responsible. This would only be an issue if you learn that one of the other drivers doesn’t have auto insurance.
Here, we’ll explain how your Columbus car accident lawyer will handle your multi-car accident in Georgia. They will fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. And, if the other drivers do argue that you were partially at fault, your attorney will help negotiate a fair settlement of your claim.
It All Depends on Who Was at Fault for the Crash
Your Columbus car accident lawyer won’t know which party they need to pursue until they know who was at fault. In order to collect damages, you need to prove that the other party was at fault. In a multi-car accident in Georgia, there may be several parties at fault.
Usually, the person involved in the initial impact will be found to be at fault. For example, if you are waiting behind a car at a red light and someone slams into you from behind, they would be at fault for your injuries. However, what if you end up slamming into the car in front of you as a result? Would you be liable for the front driver’s injuries?
The answer is – probably not. As long as your Columbus car accident lawyer can show that you wouldn’t have hit the back of this third car had it not been for their rear driver, you may be okay. The last thing you want to have happen is the court finds that both you and the rear driver are equally at fault. If you truly had nothing to do with the collision, you shouldn’t be left holding the bag.
Your Columbus Car Accident Lawyer May Have to Name More than One Defendant
Usually, in cases like this, your Columbus car accident lawyer will have to name more than one defendant in your personal injury lawsuit. For example, imagine the scenario spelled out above. Someone hits you from behind and this causes your vehicle to slam into the car in front of you. While you would only have a legal claim against the driver behind you, the car in front of you has more options. They would be able to sue you and the driver behind you.
Even though it wasn’t entirely your fault, they will argue that you should have been able to control your vehicle once it was hit from behind. Of course, your Columbus car accident lawyer will fight this claim. They will, instead, demand that the car behind you be deemed 100% at fault for the damages sustained by you and the driver in front of you.
It Shouldn’t Matter Who Pays Your Damages
Every now and then, one of our associates meets with the victim in a multi-car accident in Georgia. They explain that they were injured in a crash that involved 3 other drivers. The evidence makes it abundantly clear that you had nothing to do with causing the crash.
However, the other two drivers seem to be equally at fault. Your Columbus car accident lawyer will file a lawsuit and name both drivers in the initial complaint.
At this point, you don’t care who pays your claim. If one of the driver’s insurance carriers pays your claim, you’ll be just fine with that. If, on the other hand, attorneys for the 3 drivers get together and agree to share the liability, you may be paid half by driver A and the other half by driver B.
The way our Columbus car accident lawyer sees things, it shouldn’t matter who pays – as long as you get the compensation you deserve.
You Could Still be Found to be Partially at Fault for the Multi-Car Accident in Georgia
With so many people involved in the multi-car accident in Georgia, it will be hard to apportion fault. There is a chance that you may be found to be partially at fault. If this happens, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, in the rear-end collision example we referred to in the opening of this article, you were in the middle of two other vehicles. The car behind you smashed into your vehicle, thereby pushing your car into the one in front of you. In this scenario, there’s a chance you could be held liable for the damage to the car in front of you.
It all depends on what the other drivers’ attorneys can prove.
Our Columbus Car Accident Lawyers Have Handled Cases Like Yours Before
If you or your loved one have been injured in a multi-car accident in Georgia, there’s a good chance you’re entitled to damages. Of course, it all depends on the facts of your case. If you were partially at fault, then your damages will be reduced somewhat. Your Columbus car accident lawyer also has to prove that each defendant was at fault. This way, they’ll be jointly liable for your damages.
Whichever party has the deepest pockets is where you’ll pursue payment. We like to offer new clients a free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to sit down with a seasoned Columbus car accident lawyer one-on-one. You can ask them any questions you may have. They will review your case and they may be able to give you an idea of what your case is worth.
