Fender benders are annoying but at least damages tend to be minimal. The same usually isn’t true when multiple vehicles end up in an accident. What often starts with one vehicle hitting another ends up causing a chain reaction.
Suddenly, you’re navigating a Las Vegas multi-vehicle accident claim and the process usually isn’t a piece of cake. You’re probably going to run into at least one or two challenges and this is when the accident claim is pretty straightforward.
You may find yourself dealing with everything from figuring out fault to sharing any potential compensation with multiple accident victims.
The Challenges of Multi-Car Accidents
When you’re involved in a multi-car accident and not the at-fault driver, you’re probably wondering about liability and compensation. A huge question is who’s on the hook for your losses?
Nevada is an at-fault insurance state, but it also follows modified comparative negligence rules. It means even if you’re partially responsible for causing the accident, you may still be able to receive some compensation for your damages.
Modified comparative negligence simply says more than one driver can be responsible for the collision. You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider if you’re no more than 50% responsible for the collision.
Your compensation amount will be reduced by your percentage of blame. Even if you don’t receive the full amount at least you can recover some of your damages.
On the other hand. Determining fault when more than two drivers are involved in a collision is usually challenging. Along with relying on the accident report which typically names the responsible party experts may need to be brought in to reconstruct the scene.
While this is often a necessary part of the process it takes time and this can delay your injury claim.
Potential delays aren’t only frustrating, they can make it harder to prove your injury claim. This is a challenge you should plan on addressing with your Vegas multi-vehicle accident lawyer.
How Fault is Determined in a Multi-Car Collision
Multi-car collisions can be anything from a rear-end accident to a left-turn car crash. Anytime more than two vehicles are involved in the crash, it’s considered a multi-car accident. Sometimes determining fault in a multi-car collision is fairly straightforward.
For example, a vehicle crosses the center line and hits an oncoming vehicle starting a chain reaction. In this example, the driver crossing the dividing line is to blame for the resulting accident. Another example is if a driver is intoxicated and causes a multi-car crash. The intoxicated driver is the one at fault.
Other types of multi-vehicle collisions are a little more complicated. If a driver is tailgating the lead vehicle and slams into their rear bumper, they’re usually partially to blame.
However, if the lead vehicle stops suddenly for no reason, they may also be at fault. Adding to the possible confusion are the other drivers involved in the wreck. They may also be partially at fault if they hit another car’s bumper.
As you can see, determining fault isn’t always easy and this can affect your insurance claim. So, how Does Nevada determine fault when more than two cars are involved in an accident? There are ways investigators can help figure out who’s to blame. This can include:
- Bring in accident reconstruction specialists
- Interviewing accident witnesses
- Viewing camera footage from nearby homes and businesses. Even traffic light cameras can help determine fault in an accident.
The accident report can also help authorities and insurance adjusters figure out the underlying causes of a multi-car pileup.
Limited Insurance Coverage Can Limit Accident Settlement Amounts
The Silver State has minimum insurance coverage requirements all drivers with vehicles registered in the state must meet. There aren’t any exceptions if you plan on driving in Las Vegas. These requirements include:
- $25,000 for injury or death of one passenger
- $50,000 for injury or death or multiple passengers
- $20,000 for property damage
While Nevada’s minimum insurance requirements can help with some of your damages it’s rarely enough to cover all of your expenses. Your compensation amount can’t exceed the insurance caps. To receive full compensation you may find yourself filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver in civil court.
Since more than one driver is filing a claim against the at-fault individual’s insurance policy and there’s also the risk there may not be enough coverage for everyone. Don’t forget that not all drivers carry insurance even the state’s minimum requirements. This can also make it more difficult to recover compensation.
You May Be Sharing Insurance Payouts
Remember how we discussed not every driver may be insured? We also mentioned the state’s minimum insurance requirements and how it covers all involved drivers. This can be a problem when you and multiple other drivers are filing personal injury claims. Who decides how much each claimant is paid?
The answer is typically the court. Instead of the insurance company deciding who gets how much, the court usually steps in. The insurance company typically files an interpleader motion. This motion is a type of lawsuit that forces claimants to fight for compensation in civil court.
Either a judge or jury will review each plaintiff’s claim. They do this to determine its monetary value. From there the court divides up the insurance settlement among the plaintiffs. How much you receive typically depends on the extent of your damages and the strength of your claim.
If you find yourself dealing with an interpleader motion, it’s usually best to seek the advice of an experienced attorney.
Simplifying a Multi-Car Collision Accident Claim
Sometimes it doesn’t matter if you never violate a traffic law. You can still be involved in a multi-car collision. After assessing your injuries and other damages you’re probably thinking about filing a claim for your damages. Unfortunately this can be challenging when multiple drivers are filing an accident claim.
To help ensure you receive fair compensation after a multi-car accident it’s a good idea to work with a Nevada personal injury attorney. From helping to determine blame to navigating a potential interpleader motion your injury attorney can handle the legalities so you can focus on your recovery.
