Determining Fault in Multi-Vehicle Accidents
In cities such as Atlanta, where multiple interstate highways intersect, it’s not uncommon for innocent drivers to suffer severe and even fatal injuries in chain-reaction crashes. These multi-vehicle collisions –often triggered by poor weather conditions or large commercial vehicles– result in numerous casualties and complex liability determinations.
When more than one driver is at fault for a multi-vehicle accident, Georgia’s complex shared liability laws apply. The Marietta accident attorneys at Essa, Janho & Associates, LLC can help ensure your fair share of available insurance compensation.
Leading Causes of Chain-Reaction Crashes in the Atlanta Area
Multi-vehicle collisions involve three or more vehicles. Chain-reaction fender-benders are the most common multi-driver accidents, but devastating highway crashes on I-75 and I-285 also result in mass casualty events. Identifying the triggering event is the first step in determining and apportioning fault after a pile-up accident in Marietta. The most common factors contributing to these crashes involve the following:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Wet roads
- Brake failures
- Semi-truck rollovers and tire blowouts
- Distraction
- Texting
- Fatigue
- Bumper-to-bumper traffic
- Road hazards
In most multi-vehicle cases, one driver either stops short or otherwise loses control of his vehicle. Other drivers – especially those traveling at high speeds – might not be expecting the sudden change in traffic flow. Most drivers do not keep the required distance between vehicles necessary to stop safely, resulting in an uncontrollable pile-up crash.
Understanding Georgia’s Shared Liability Laws
Every state handles multi-vehicle crashes differently, and Georgia uses the term several liability. The first step in this process is generally determining the victim’s overall damages. Experienced car accident lawyers will fight to maximize your financial demands by calculating the actual value of your past and future medical bills, lost wages and benefits, and pain and suffering.
Under G.A. Code § 51-12-33, the finder of fact (the judge, jury, or insurance adjusters upon settlement) then assigns a certain percentage of fault to each liable driver. The liable drivers (or their insurers) are then required to pay your damages in proportion to their assigned percentage of fault. Provided the injured driver was less than 50% at fault for the crash, he or she can recover damages from every liable driver.
Fighting for a Fair Apportionment of Damages in Fulton County
Unfortunately, multi-vehicle accidents often involve multiple liable drivers and innocent victims. These cases usually require experienced chain-reaction crash lawyers to retain accident reconstruction experts to trace fault. Further, every insurance adjuster will fight to minimize their insured’s damages. This complexity and in-fighting among insurers may require your personal injury lawyer to take the case to trial.
Trusted Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Marietta
Insurance compensation is limited after mass casualty accidents in Atlanta. Ensure your fair share of damages and hold every liable driver accountable for your injuries with help from our experienced chain-reaction crash attorneys. We don’t get paid unless we recover the financial compensation you need.
Call 770-955-8322 for English or 770-771-3658 for Spanish, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.