When you are injured in an accident, it can be incredibly stressful. Not only are you trying to navigate healing, but the process of fighting for the compensation you deserve can be tedious. Unfortunately, matters are only made worse in instances in which multiple drivers are involved. As such, if you have sustained injuries in a multi-car accident in Florida, the following blog explores what you should know about how liability is determined and the importance of working with a Broward County car accident lawyer to help you navigate multi-car accidents.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Impact Multi-Car Accidents?
Florida is one of a handful of states that adhere to a no-fault accident statute. Under Florida law, all drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) as part of their insurance. As such, if an accident happens, each driver will file a claim for coverage through their own carrier, rather than filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This is true regardless of who caused the collision.
Under Florida law, all drivers are required to carry a minimum PIP policy of $10,000. Unfortunately, if you are involved in a serious accident, you may find that this is not enough to cover the damages you’ve suffered as a result of an injury. As such, if your medical bills exceed what is covered by your insurance, you’ll need to file a claim against the negligent party or parties.
How Is Liability Determined if My Injuries Exceed My PIP Insurance?
If you must pursue a claim outside of Florida’s no-fault system, you’ll need to know who the driver responsible for the collision is. Unfortunately, when there are multiple vehicles involved, this can be incredibly difficult. As such, it’s important to understand what the police and insurance adjusters will examine to determine who is ultimately responsible for the damages.
Generally, when the police arrive on the scene, they will conduct a preliminary investigation to gather important evidence that can impact the outcome of a personal injury case. In many instances, speaking to the drivers involved can be complex, as they all may have different accounts of what happened or who they think is liable. As such, the police must collect other evidence while considering the statements of the parties involved. This includes examining the damage to each vehicle, how the cars are positioned on the road, and tire marks. Additionally, the police will get witness statements, which can provide a different, unbiased perspective of what happened leading up to the collision.
What Happens if More Than One Driver Is Liable?
In accidents involving multiple vehicles, it’s not uncommon for more than one driver to face liability for the damages. If this is the case for your circumstances, understanding what to expect is critical.
Generally, Florida adheres to a 50% modified comparative negligence system. This means that drivers who are 50% or more liable for a collision will be barred from recovering any compensation. Drivers who are less than 50% liable can still recover compensation, but their award will be reduced by their percentage of fault in the collision.
As such, if two drivers are equally liable for an accident that also involved you, they would both be liable for paying half of your medical bills.
Navigating the aftermath of an accident involving multiple vehicles can be incredibly complicated. That is why it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney with the Finizio Law Group to explore your options if you are a victim of
