There are many things you have to be aware of in your are involved in a car accident involving more than two vehicles.
Being involved in a simple two-car accident is bad enough. But what should you be aware of when three or more vehicle are involved in an accident. This happens more often than you think.
Who is at fault?
When more than two vehicles are involved in an accident, there can be an issue about who is at fault. This comes up a lot in chain-reaction rear end collisions.
Let’s say you are stopped in traffic. Suddenly, you feel a hit in the rear. You are then pushed into the car in front of you. You know that the car behind you is at fault. But, suddenly, he changes his story and tries to say that you hit the car in front of you first and then he hit you. He tries to put the accident on your shoulder by saying he was caught by surprise when you hit the car in front first.
This happens more than you think.
It is important for you to protect your version of events. Maybe the driver of the vehicle in front of you, or an eye-witness, can help. If everyone can establish that you were stopped when you were hit, then the investigating officer will probably write his report that way.
Limited Insurance.
Here is where things may get a little frustrating.
The at-fault driver has an insurance policy. But, like every other auto insurance policy, it has certain limits of liability.
If you have a three, four, or even a five car collision, then all these people will be making a claim on the same policy. When you have many claimants, the a-fault driver’s policy may run out. What do you do?
Be prepared to make a claim for uninsured and under-insured motorist benefits with your own policy. You may even have to make a claim for the damages to your car under your collision coverage.
That is why it is so important to maintain enough coverage under your own policy. You cannot count of the other guy having coverage to protect you. After all, he is likely only concerned with having the minimum coverage required under the law.
Multiple Bodily Injury Claims.
In the previous example, we had a three-car accident. But you may have more than three people claiming they are hurt.
Each car has a driver and may have had one or more passengers. Suddenly, a three -car accident becomes a five or six person injury claim. And each of these people will be making a claim under the same policy.
The minimum policy limits in Texas for bodily injuries is $30,000 per person, but no more than $60,000 per accident. This means that one injury claimant may get no more than $30,000.
However, what if there are more than two injury claimants. If you have three, or four, or more, then it becomes quite a challenge in dividing the $60,000 among them. If each had very serious injuries, then it becomes even more of a challenge.
Here is Where an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney can Help.
Practicing law is like a chess game. Everyone makes a move. But you have to anticipate the move and now how to react. Or, you have to be prepared for the worst and be prepared. If you don’t know how the car accident game is played, you will be left out in the cold. Dallas personal injury attorney, Robert C. Slim, has seen the moves made by the insurance companies for over 20 years.
And, he know how to prepare your case for the best result!