According to the California Civil Code (CIV) §1714, the driver whose negligence caused a multi-vehicle accident is responsible for the results of their lack of ordinary care. Your car accident report and the recollections of you and other vehicle drivers involved in the accident are important. They can also help your lawyer determine who is at fault in a multi-vehicle car accident.
In California, your legal team may need to prove negligence or fault for any type of car accident, including one involving multiple vehicles, in order for you to seek financial recovery. Proving fault entails proving the at-fault driver had a responsibility to provide ordinary care, failed to meet that responsibility, caused injuries to others, and led to financial consequences for others.
A lawyer near you can then help you determine who to pursue to potentially receive compensation if you were involved in a multi-vehicle accident in California.
Whether you’re in Bakersfield or San Jose, Jacoby & Meyers Injury Lawyers is ready to help injury victims across California, including Sacramento, Fresno, and Los Angeles.
You Might Be Able to Collect Compensation After a Multi-Vehicle Accident
You might be entitled to receive financial compensation if you were injured in a multi-vehicle accident. In Los Angeles, the CIV §1431.2 allows you to seek the following recoverable damages from the liable party:
- Accident-related medical expenses
- Accident-related income loss
- Treatment-related income loss
- Damaged or destroyed property
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional suffering
You might also be entitled to receive additional financial recovery for expenses or losses that are not included on this list. Likewise, you can review the total financial impact of the accident with your lawyer when valuing your case.
The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer After a Multi-Vehicle Accident
Proving fault and obtaining financial compensation after being in a car accident can be a challenge. When multiple cars are involved in an accident, sorting out the accident details on your own might be even more challenging and frustrating. If you decide to hire a car accident lawyer, they may be able to help you by:
- Identifying the at-fault driver
- Identifying and interviewing witnesses to the accident
- Assigning a value to your claim
- Handling insurance company paperwork
- Collecting evidence to support your case
- Negotiating a settlement
You Might Receive Compensation for Injuries You Sustained in the Accident
After a multi-vehicle car accident, you might sustain severe injuries that require costly treatment. Examples of car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Rib fractures
- Knee injuries
Your health care team may provide you with a detailed treatment plan and prognosis. Share these records with your personal injury team. They can also use these to prove the extent and expense of your injuries.
Evidence Can Support Your Potential Right to Compensation
Collecting evidence may help support your arguments on why you might be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries and other damages. Your lawyer may request some or all of the following:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- The car accident report
- Witness testimony
- Injury pictures
- Accident scene pictures
If you need assistance with retrieving some pieces of evidence, your legal team might be able to obtain certain evidence on your behalf. Some evidence, such as medical records, may require you to sign a release form for your lawyer to have access to them.
Settlement Negotiations Might Resolve Your Car Accident Claim
Your legal team may use the value assigned to your compensation claim or lawsuit as their goal in settlement negotiations. However, the final decision to accept or reject any settlement offer you receive is always yours. On the other hand, your lawyer may counsel you on the feasibility of each offer you receive. They can also help you weigh whether or not your case might fare better in court.
If all involved parties cannot reach a mutual agreement, your car accident case may have to proceed to court for a final resolution. However, your lawyer can represent you and continue your fight for financial recovery if your case goes to court.
Get Compensation After a Multi-Vehicle Accident
If you are trying to determine who is at fault in a multi-vehicle car accident, a personal injury lawyer may help. With the assistance of a lawyer, you might be able to prove which of the other involved drivers bears financial responsibility. Contact the personal injury team at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices by calling 866-559-7223 to explore your next steps toward monetary recovery.