Vehicle accidents are rarely straightforward incidents where fault is easily determined. This is true even with incidents involving just two vehicles. However, when there are multiple vehicles involved in a vehicle accident, determining fault is even more challenging. Here, we want to discuss what you can do after a multi-car accident to help ensure that you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Take Steps to Ensure Your Well-Being
After a multi-car collision occurs, the number one priority is your health and well-being. We recommend that all car accident victims go to the doctor as soon as possible so they can be evaluated.
There are times when some injuries do not show signs or symptoms right away, but it is still important for you to be evaluated by a physician. Not only does this establish a strong link between any injuries you sustain and the incident, but it gives the doctor a chance to uncover any hidden injuries that you may not be aware of.
You may not necessarily need to take an ambulance to the hospital after a multi-car collision, but you should go to your primary care physician or an emergency clinic as soon as possible.
Gather as Much Evidence as Possible
You need to gather as much evidence as you can at the scene of the incident, but only if the scene is relatively safe and if you do not have to go to the hospital right away. When gathering evidence, you can use a cell phone camera to take pictures of anything that you see, including vehicle damage, debris, causes of the incident, injuries, and more. You can even turn the camera to video mode to take an overall video shot of the whole scene.
At the scene of the incident, look around for any eyewitnesses. This can include bystanders or passengers and drivers in other vehicles that stopped at the scene. Write down their names and contact information as soon as possible because once they leave, you will likely never see them again. Their testimony could be valuable for insurance carriers or at a personal injury trial.
Report to Your Insurance Carrier
Automobile insurance carriers have very strict reporting deadlines. You need to call your insurance carrier or go through the online portal to report the incident. This needs to happen within the first day after the incident occurs. You do not have to go into much detail when you talk to your insurance carrier, but this will initiate the process so they can be in contact with all other parties’ insurance carriers.
We strongly suggest contacting a skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyer who can take over communication with your insurance carrier and any other insurance carriers that try to call you.
Comparative Negligence Laws in Pennsylvania
Determining fault after a multi-car collision can be challenging, and it is not uncommon for there to be multiple parties responsible for the incident. You need to be aware that this could affect how much compensation you receive overall. This state operates under a modified comparative negligence system, which means that individuals can still recover compensation for their injuries so long as they are less than 51% responsible for the incident.
Any person 51% or more responsible for causing their own injuries will not be able to recover compensation. Those less than 51% will receive reduced compensation depending on their percentage of fault.