Determining fault in a multi-vehicle accident is highly complex and often requires investigating the circumstances that caused the accident. Although one driver may be at fault, others may have played a role. If you have been involved in a multi-vehicle accident in Alabama, it’s essential to understand how liability is assigned, as it could impact your ability to recover compensation for your damages. Please continue reading to learn how a determined Birmingham Car Accident Lawyer can help you protect your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How is Liability Assigned for a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
If you are involved in a multi-vehicle accident, regardless of your percentage of fault for the collision, your insurance company will pay for a portion of your damages. These amounts are paid from your Personal Injury Protection (PIP), a form of no-fault coverage. However, it’s important to note that PIP may not cover the full extent of your damages. To recover total compensation for your losses, you must pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.
As mentioned above, multi-vehicle collisions are incredibly complex, especially considering that Alabama uses the contributory negligence rule when multiple parties are at fault for a car accident. Under this legal doctrine, if you contributed in any way to the cause of the collision, you will face the absolute bar of recovery. In cases where more than two vehicles are involved in an accident, more than one driver typically shares fault. Essentially, Alabama prevents you from holding another driver responsible for your damages even if they were 99% at fault in your crash. Therefore, it’s vital to show how the negligent parties caused your crash and ensure you are not assigned any degree of fault to protect your legal rights to compensation.
What is the Burden of Proof in Car Accident Cases?
It’s important to understand that the burden of proof is much lower than in criminal cases. Instead of proving someone’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” you must meet the “preponderance of evidence burden in civil cases, which means you must prove that something is more likely than not to have happened. This means that you will have to prove that your car accident was caused directly by someone else’s negligence. Unfortunately, this usually isn’t easy and requires substantial evidence. As such, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced Birmingham car accident lawyer who can help you investigate the circumstances of the accident and gather evidence to support your claim.
Without proper legal representation, your rights and monetary compensation will be at stake. If you have been injured due to another driver’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to contact a dedicated lawyer from Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC. Our car accident lawyers are prepared to represent your interests.
