Any car accident has the potential to be complex, but this is never as true as it is with a multi-car accident. Why is this? What causes these cases to be so complicated? Keep reading to learn some of the most common challenges, and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
It Can Be Difficult to Determine Fault
First and foremost, it can be a challenge to determine who was at fault when there are multiple cars involved. These cases generally involve numerous cars crashing into each other, so it can be hard to determine who was initially at fault. The bad news is that insurance companies know this and will use it as a way to get out of paying a fair settlement. The good news is that your personal injury attorney knows how to review and present evidence.
There Might Not Be Enough Insurance Coverage for the Entirety of the Damage
Even a well-insured driver is not likely to have enough coverage to pay for all damages and injuries in a multi-car accident. Why? Because car insurance policies have limits on liability coverage. The maximum limit is the maximum amount that the at-fault insurance company will pay for injuries and property damage caused by their insured.
In most cases, there are two limits: one limit on how much the policy pays per person and a maximum payment per accident. For example, if a person has coverage with a $25,000 maximum per person and $50,000 per accident, and there were ten people injured, it is likely that those ten people would not get a significant award as the total amount the insurer would pay is $50,000 – or an average of $5,000 per person.
Victims Often Have to Fight for Their Share of the Accident Maximum
In the event that there are multiple injuries and a single at-fault driver, and their coverage is not enough to pay for everyone’s damages, then you cannot assume that the at-fault insurance company will decide how to divide these funds fairly. Instead, they will file an “interpleader action” that requires the injured parties to fight to claim their share of the accident maximum. This requires an experienced personal injury attorney who can provide evidence to the court that your medical expenses were necessary and that you deserve a reasonable portion of the accident maximum.
Do Not Go into This without an Attorney
The bottom line is that you should never go into this type of situation without an attorney on your side. You have found that attorney in The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker. If you would like a free legal consultation to better understand your rights and options, then we invite you to contact us at 800-333-0000 right away.
