Who Is Liable For a Multi-Car Crash in Utah
Who is liable for a multi-car crash in Utah? The knowledgeable firm of Accident Attorneys of America offers answers to this question and more. Contact us today!
Multi-Car Accidents in Utah
Multi-car accidents present unique challenges in determining liability. It is usually relatively easy to establish liability in a two-car accident. Even in two-car accidents, there may be a shared liability.
Multi-car crashes, however, can make establishing liability difficult. The cause of the accident could be attributed to one or more drivers, depending on the circumstances.
Utah is a no-fault state for car accidents, which means drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance. In case of an accident, each driver looks to their insurance company to cover their medical costs and lost wages. There is no consideration of fault in this instance. However, the parties may claim outside the personal injury protection restriction once specific requirements are met.
If you find yourself in a multi-car accident in Utah, America’s accident attorneys can assist you in establishing liability and advise you at a free case evaluation. As a personal injury law firm, we have extensive experience with many types of injury cases. Contact the Accident Attorneys of America to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City today.
The Principle of Comparative Negligence
Under the comparative negligence rule, each party’s fault or negligence is based upon their respective contributions to the accident. This means that the awarded damages are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
Under section 78B-5-818 of the Utah code, Utah applies the principle of modified comparative negligence. A driver can receive compensation even if they were partially at fault in an accident, so long as they were less than 50 percent at fault. Therefore, in Utah, multiple drivers could be held responsible for a multi-vehicle collision and receive compensation based on their degree of liability.
Is There a Damage Cap for Multi-Car Accidents in Utah?
Unlike other areas of the law, such as medical malpractice, motor vehicle accident injuries have no specified cap. The amount of damages are unlimited.
How Do You Prove Fault In a Multi-Car Accident?
It is usually relatively easy to establish fault in two-car accidents, though it is not always the case. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of an accident involving multiple drivers. If one attempts to hold a specific driver responsible, these cases can be much more challenging to prove. It is likely that each involved driver will have their own version of events, adding complexity and subjectivity to the investigation.
Appointing an experienced multi-auto accident Utah-based personal injury attorney can strengthen your case and give you a better chance of succeeding in your personal injury claim. Whether you were riding your motorbike in a multi-car accident or you were involved in a single-car accident, contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a free consultation.
Useful Tools for Determining Fault in Multi-Car Accidents
Pictures and Video of the Accident Scene
Cell phone pictures and video taken at the scene can be indispensable later. Photos of the property damage on all vehicles, the other party’s insurance card, driver’s license, and vehicle license plates are all good evidence.
Knowing exactly where the vehicles were damaged can help reconstruct the accident and prove fault.
Witness and Driver Statements
Driver statements made to the police can be used to persuade the other party of their liability.
You need to speak with witnesses at the scene and obtain their contact information as well as a photo of their driver’s license and license plates.
Additionally, police reports bind a witness to at least one version of what happened during the collision. Sometimes, you can gather witness statements from witnesses listed on the police report.
Cell Phone Records
Cell phone records have been used to prove cellphone use by a driver at the time of the accident.
Surveillance Cameras
These days there are surveillance cameras everywhere – this footage can be used to show who was at fault at the time of the accident. Sometimes local businesses have inadvertently captured the accident on their security cameras.
Dashboard Camera Footage
Dashcam footage is worth its weight in gold and can be great evidence of liability.
Local Evidence Collected by Your Attorney
Having a local attorney on your side can be crucial in obtaining video footage and revisiting the scene to document skid marks and property damage. They are also able to access witnesses to get their version of events.
Accident Reconstruction Experts
Accident reconstruction experts are skilled at reconstructing the collision scene by considering skid marks, estimated speeds, property damage, speed limits, and estimated speeds.
Probable Fault Assumptions
Normally, but not always, the following elements of fault are true in these situations:
- Rear-end car collisions: Most of the time, the person who hit you from behind is at fault. This is not cast in stone; each case depends on particular circumstances.
- Passenger claims: Passengers in the car are rarely, if ever, at fault. Passengers could claim from both drivers if they were both at fault.
The Statute Of Limitations
Statutes of limitations apply to personal injury cases in Utah. Usually, individuals have four years to file a lawsuit from the date of the accident. A wrongful death lawsuit, after an individual dies as the result of the injury, must be brought by the surviving family members within two years from the date of the death.
However, all injury or death cases filed against the government must be brought within only one year from the date of the injury or death.
Get Help Today From Accident Attorneys of America!
Establishing liability in a multi-car accident claim can be complex and quite challenging. It is important, however, to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney to determine who is to blame for your injuries so that you can get compensation for your lost income, medical expenses, and other damages.
Make an appointment with Accident Attorneys of America today to discuss your personal injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I Still Get a Lawyer for an Accident That Was My Fault?
Yes, it would be best if you still got a lawyer. In addition to investigating the extent of your fault, an experienced truck accident lawyer will negotiate with your insurance company to resolve the claim.
What Is the Most Common Injury in a Truck Accident?
The most common injuries in a truck accident are spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, head and neck injuries, and broken bones.
A truck or even a semi-truck accident can cause fatal and life-long injuries. For your medical expenses to be adequately covered, ensure that you wait until the end of the anticipated recovery period before settling your truck accident case.
