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Determining fault and liability in a multi-car accident is often complicated because more than one driver could share fault. North Carolina law allows victims to pursue claims against all at-fault drivers and hold them accountable. At the same time, it is critical to show that you did not contribute to the accident in any way and, therefore, bear no responsibility for it.
Identifying all liable parties and documenting their roles in the crash greatly increases your chances of securing compensation. Our Rutherfordton car accident lawyers know what it takes to build these cases and hold the at-fault parties accountable. We are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Does Liability Work in a Crash Involving Multiple Vehicles?
When more than one driver plays a role in causing a collision in North Carolina, each of them can be held responsible for the damages they caused. Victims must show how each party caused or contributed to their crash and injuries. If you were hurt, this process can be complex. You will want to work with a car accident lawyer to build a case and pursue your claims.
Multi-car accidents can occur in several ways. Some of the most common include:
- Chain Reaction Crashes: When one driver rear-ends another, it can trigger a pile-up involving multiple vehicles. This is especially likely when they are not maintaining a safe following distance or moving at higher speeds. Chain reactions can occur when drivers are stopped or moving.
- Intersection Accidents: While a single driver ignoring a traffic rule can cause an intersection accident, sometimes more than one driver makes a careless mistake behind the wheel and causes a multi-vehicle crash. For example, imagine one driver fails to yield when turning left while another speeds through the intersection.
- Highway Collisions: Highway and interstate crashes often involve multiple cars. They can occur because of speeding, following too closely, distracted driving, sudden lane changes, or other careless or reckless actions behind the wheel.
How Does North Carolina Law Make the Claims Process More Complicated?
Under North Carolina case law, the state follows a pure contributory negligence rule. This means you cannot recover damages if you are even one percent at fault for an accident. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-139, those claiming you contributed to the accident must prove you did so, or they will have to pay for their role in the crash.
This makes accusations of causing or contributing to an accident where you suffered injuries common. You will want an attorney working on your case to mitigate any allegations against you.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Multi-Car Accident in North Carolina?
When you suffer injuries in a multi-car crash, you will need to have strong evidence to show what happened and the role each party played. This is essential to holding the liable parties accountable and recovering full compensation for your accident injuries and losses. Some possible liable parties in these collisions could include:
- The at-fault drivers whose negligence caused or contributed to the crash and your injuries; this is the most common scenario
- A company that employs a negligent driver may be vicariously liable if that driver was working and driving a commercial vehicle when they caused the collision
- A government entity if poor road design, maintenance, or signage contributed to the crash
- A vehicle manufacturer if a mechanical failure occurred and contributed to a collision
Most accidents occur because of driver carelessness or recklessness. Drivers act negligently behind the wheel, and a collision becomes unavoidable for victims. Proving what happened can be difficult on your own, though. A car accident attorney can develop a compelling case for compensation while you heal from your physical injuries.
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Collecting Evidence to Establish Fault and Avoid Contributory Negligence
Proving fault and liability is always critical in a car accident case, but it is even more important in North Carolina due to the state’s contributory negligence rules. It is crucial to show exactly what happened and that you did not contribute to the accident or your own injuries because of the strict negligence rule.
The types of evidence your attorney might gather to show negligence and fault include:
- Police reports filed by responding officers at the accident scene
- Witness statements given during interviews
- Traffic and dashcam recordings or surveillance footage from nearby businesses
- Accident reconstruction experts
- Relevant medical records
- Expert testimony
- Documents showing damages
Understanding the Challanges of Multi-Car Accident Claims
Multi-car accident claims are complex. This can make it difficult to manage the claims process and recover compensation. Some cases may require a jury trial to assign fault percentages among the parties involved.
Due to North Carolina’s contributory negligence laws, it is common for at-fault parties to blame one another—or even the victim. They may claim the victims share liability, too. While it is up to these defendants to prove your contributions to the crash, your attorney can work to demonstrate that you were not responsible in any way.
Evidence is also more difficult to obtain in these cases. Witnesses may give conflicting statements that make it challenging to determine what happened and why.
How a Lawyer Can Help Accident Victims of Multi-Car Crashes
When you work with a car accident lawyer to manage your multi-vehicle car accident, they will take several steps to get you the best possible outcome. This could include:
- Investigating all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery
- Countering contributory negligence allegations
- Filing claims against multiple parties responsible
- Taking cases to trial if necessary
- Ensuring you meet all necessary deadlines, including the three-year statute of limitations set by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52
Protect Your Legal Rights by Speaking to a Car Accident Lawyer Today
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, our North Carolina car accident lawyers have served more than 10,000 clients and recovered over $100 million. We have multiple offices in North Carolina to serve you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
