Who is At Fault in a 3 Way Car Accident?

When you are in a car crash, it is generally with just one other driver. In such cases, it is quite obvious who is to blame for the accident. But sometimes there are more than one car involved in a car accident, and when this happens, the blame can be shifted around depending on the facts of the wreck.

Since the very first legal matter dealt with is fault, it should be an important matter to you as a victim of a car accident. Continue reading to learn some facts about car accident liability, including who might be to blame in a 3-way car wreck.

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Indiana Car Accident Trial Lawyers 317-881-2700

3 Driver Car Accidents

Even at low speeds, a two-driver car accident can be a jolting experiences for everyone involved, regardless of fault. But when you add a third vehicle to the situation, the severity of injury and damage can be higher. Additionally, the more cars involved, the more complex the case, so pinpointing the blame among multiple parties can take a little longer compared to a common two-car accident.

Determining Fault in a 3 Car Wreck

So, who is at fault in a 3-way car accident? How is such fault confirmed? Can more than one driver be to blame? Well, the answers to these questions depend on the unique details of each individual case, making them difficult to answer concretely. Yes, more than one car driver can be at-fault, in fact, all vehicle drivers can sometimes be a percentage at fault, or just one. It all depends.

For instance, one of the most common types of 3-way car accidents are 3 car fender benders, or a chain-reaction collision. If the first car in line is stopped in traffic, there would be no fault on that driver.  The car behind that vehicle hits the stopped vehicle because he is reaching for a cup of coffee and not looking where he is going.  That driver is at fault.  Following the collision, the driver who was stopped gets pushed into the vehicle stopped in front of him. The driver of the vehicle in front of him would also not be at fault and the driver reaching for the cup of coffee would be at fault in causing both the other vehicles drivers’ damages.     

What You Should Do as a Multi-Car Accident Victim

Your best course of action as an injured victim of a car accident that involved more than one other car is to speak with an Indianapolis car accident injury attorney as soon as possible. They will guide you through the process of dealing with the other parties, including their insurance companies. They can respond and provide evidence proving you are not at fault for the car accident, and ultimately, win you a settlement.  Some insurance adjusters will try to argue that you are at fault in causing the collision, even though there really is not much or any real evidence to support the argument.  

How to Protect Yourself After Being Injured in a 3 Car Accident in Indiana

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about making a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are fully-prepared to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we obtain a settlement for you. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
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Is Sliding on Black Ice and Causing a Traffic Accident Considered Negligent and Grounds for a Lawsuit?

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Motor vehicle accidents can occur for countless reasons. Most traffic accidents are caused by drivers’ carelessness or defective road signals, while most others are the consequence of accidental circumstances. This time of year, many car collisions are a result of hazardous weather conditions, like rain, fog, lightening, snow, and ice. Wearing your seat belt and driving at a safe speed are two significant ways to prevent injury and accidents from happening; however, there are some motor vehicle accidents that cannot be avoided. Sometimes, these poor weather conditions cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, spin into other lanes, collide into embankments, hit curbs, and much more.

Black ice is a common culprit behind losing control of a vehicle in bad weather. It is a frequent hazard that causes accidents just like the ones mentioned above. But to what degree are you guilty if you slide on black ice, lose control of your vehicle, and collide into another driver? Is it pure accident or should you be held liable for the other drivers’ damages? Continue reading to learn more about liability in a traffic collision caused by black ice, or other severe weather conditions.

Motor Vehicle Accidents and Liability

If you were to slide on black ice while operating a motor vehicle, and subsequently collide into another vehicle, causing that driver and their passenger’s injury or damage, would you be liable? The short answer is maybe; but there is a much longer explanation. The most important factor to consider when determining who responsible in a car accident is whether or not a driver acted carelessly, or if they acted reasonably, even in dangerous weather conditions. Did a driver act in accordance to the standard of care expected by a reasonable person? Or were they driving recklessly?

For example, if a reasonable person was driving in poor weather conditions, like snow or ice, they would “reasonably” drive at a safe and cautious speed, rather than driving at the suggested legal speed limit because their visibility and control is limited. On the other hand, a reckless driver would continue to drive normally, in poor weather, at the suggested speed limit. If it were a sunny and dry day, then driving at the recommended speeds is, of course, reasonable; however, in dangerous weather conditions, a reasonable driver would slow down and drive more cautiously. This is a huge factor in determining liability in a motor vehicle accident lawsuit, whether natural elements were supposedly the cause or not.

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Another aspect to consider is the condition of the vehicle. If the owner of the car or truck did not reasonably care for their vehicle in order for it to drive safely and function properly, then they may be at-fault for a car accident that occurs in poor weather. For example, if a person has very old, bald, and worn out tires on their vehicle, and they lost control on ice or a wet spot, then poor weather is not the sole reason why an accident happened.

Had the driver reasonably serviced their tires, they may not have slid on the ice or slick spot to begin with because they would have had better traction and stability control. Other reasonable maintenance for a car would include functional windshield wiper blades, good brake pads and rotors, functional brake lights and head lights, and much more. These, and more, are additional concerns that an insurance adjuster might look at when determining liability in a car accident case. These types of lawsuits are often tricky and complex. There are several factors and variables that determine who is at-fault in a car accident.

If you are ever an innocent victim in a traffic accident that was caused by another person’s reckless driving, contact an Indianapolis car accident attorney right away. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages, such as lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, vehicular damages, pain, suffering, mental anguish, prolonged rehabilitation, and much more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, is a licensed personal injury lawyer with several years of litigation and trial experience. He is happy to answer your questions about filing a car accident lawsuit, and assess your eligibility for recompense. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we win your settlement! Call 317-881-2700 for more information about recovering compensation following a motor vehicle
accident in Indianapolis
, IN.