If you’re reading this post, then you know all too well the damage that can be caused in a car accident. Your physical injuries can riddle you with pain and suffering, and the psychological toll can be oppressive. Stack on top of that the financial strain that you’ll experience as you secure medical care and miss work and the entire process can become completely overwhelming.
The personal injury legal process may provide you with some relief, but nothing is guaranteed when you file one of these claims. In fact, the basis of your entire argument can be jeopardized when your crash involved multiple vehicles, as each party will point their finger at the others in hopes of escaping liability.
So, what’s the best way to protect your interests after being involved in a multi-vehicle crash? Let’s take a closer look so that you know what your next steps should be to build your personal injury case.
Who can you sue in a multi-vehicle accident?
When most people think of a legal case, they envision the plaintiff arguing their case against the defense. But personal injury lawsuits can be much more complex than that. They can also involve more than two parties.
There are several reasons for this. One is that the court has an interest in resolving all claims related to an event at the same time. So, if a defendant has a cross-claim against a plaintiff or a third-party, then all of those legal arguments will probably be wrapped into one case. Also, given that Hawaii recognizes comparative negligence, meaning that you can recover compensation from a liable party so long as you aren’t deemed more than 50% at fault for the crash, you have the ability to file suit against multiple parties.
After a three-car accident, it’s imperative that you fully analyze the evidence at hand to figure out how the wreck actually occurred and who is to blame for it. Only then will you know who you need to file a claim against to fully protect your interests, which may include both of the other drivers. To protect the viability of your case and ensure that you pursue compensation from the appropriate individuals, you may want to do the following:
- Consult with an accident reconstruction expert who can evaluate the evidence to generate a formal report that opines as to the cause of the accident and who contributed to it.
- Speak to all witnesses to get a sense of what they saw and how that may help you demonstrate fault of one or multiple drivers involved in the crash.
- Depose those who were involved in the wreck to see if you can glean any additional information from them that may support a claim either against them or other parties.
- Analyze your actions leading up to the wreck so that you’re prepared to counter any comparative negligence arguments that are thrown your way.
Fight for the compensation you deserve
There’s a lot at stake in a personal injury case. If you put forth an improvised or slipshod case, then you’re bound to obtain an outcome that falls well short of your goals and the amount of financial resources you want and deserve. Therefore, it’s crucial that you’re proactive in gathering evidence and building strong legal arguments to support your position. We know that can be tough to do when you’re recovering from your accident injuries, but help is available to assist you in getting through this trying time while still protecting your interests.