In most car accident scenarios, the person who hits the vehicle in front of them is liable and subject to personal injury costs incurred by the other driver. But how is liability assigned when more than one car is involved in an accident? Here’s a guide to who is typically at fault, how liability is determined, and when pure comparative negligence applies.

A Guide to Liability & Multi-Vehicle Accidents

How Liability Is Determined

Since multi-vehicle accidents are chain reactions, they are typically the fault of the driver who started the crash. For example, if a driver speeds and crashes into the back of another car because they couldn’t stop in time, causing the second vehicle to crash into the one in front of it, the speeding driver is to blame for the accident.

If a driver stops abruptly and without warning, including leaving their hazards off, and this sudden stop makes another driver crash into a car, the driver who suddenly stopped, or caused the chain reaction, is to blame for the resulting personal injury claims.

How Fault Is Established

Determining who is liable in a multi-car accident requires providing proof of negligence, such as speeding, disobeying traffic signs and lights, and texting and driving. Eyewitness accounts, police reports, photos of skid marks, vehicle damage, related debris, and traffic light cameras often provide the evidence necessary for personal injury claims. If the liable individual was texting or otherwise using their phone at the time of the accident, device records could serve as proof.

However, there are times when multi-car accidents are the fault of more than one driver. For example, a driver may run a red light as a second driver cuts another vehicle off, causing a multi-car pileup. In this situation, both parties are liable under pure comparative negligence. New York State often assigns partial liability to more than one party. If a New York driver is found partially liable for a multi-car accident, the amount they can claim may be lower than the compensation owed to drivers who played no part in causing the accident. 

If you were involved in a multi-car accident, talk to the lawyers at Neimark & Neimark in New City, NY, to discuss your personal injury options. Serving Orange and Rockland counties, these attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury cases, including medical malpractice and car accidents. Call (888) 725-7424 to schedule a consultation, or visit the website for more about their legal services.