In accidents that involve two cars, it is easy to establish who is at fault. In a 3 car fender bender, it can be more difficult to determine who is at fault. It gets more complicated if an accident involves more than two cars. Fault does not always fall on one driver.
There are times when different drivers were at fault to a certain degree. In such instances, it may be difficult to bring a personal injury lawsuit or make a claim with your insurance. Get the help of Los Angeles car accident attorneys.
Establishing Fault in Los Angeles Fender Benders
When trying to establish fault in a three-car fender bender, witness accounts are very important. To prove liability, you have to prove negligence. The driver that was negligent is legally responsible for the accident. If two drivers were negligent, they share liability for the accident.
All drivers should leave a safe distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them. If there is little space between cars, rear-end accidents are likely to happen. A driver may not have enough time to stop without hitting the car in front of them in case of unexpected situations. If a driver drives too close to the car in front of them, they are considered to be negligent.
If a car is pushed into another vehicle after being hit from the back, the driver may not be liable for the accident. In most cases, the tailing driver is at fault.
Since three-car fender benders are complicated, the fault is usually proved by referring to the following sources;
1. Police Reports
When you contact the police after an accident, they will compile a report for your accident. The report will include the details of your accident. It may be used to prove liability.
2. Eye Witness Accounts
Eyewitnesses may include the affected drivers, their passengers, and those who were around the scene of the accident. Their accounts may be used to prove fault. The witnesses may have videos or photos that explain how the accident happened.
3. Vehicle Damage
The damage done to a vehicle explains how it was hit. Vehicle damage and the evidence gathered around it may be useful in proving fault.
Proving Negligence
To prove negligence on the part of the driver, you must first show that they had a duty of care. When on the road, all drivers owe each other a duty of care. You must also prove that they failed to observe the duty. These are some ways to prove that a driver was negligent;
- They failed to yield the right of way
- They failed to control their vehicle
- They failed to stop at a reasonable time
- They did not observe a safe distance
- They failed to observe a reasonable driving speed
- They failed to look out for road hazards
If you have been in a three-car fender bender, you should seek the help of Los Angeles car accident attorneys. Consider seeking the help of El Dabe Ritters Trial Lawyers. You will get the help of professional and experienced attorneys. Contact us today for a free initial case consultation.