When multiple parties are liable for damages caused by an accident, you may be able to pursue compensation from each responsible party. However, filing a claim may be more complicated than it would if you were filing a claim against one party.
That is why you should speak to a South Bend car accident lawyer who is prepared to help you through the process of filing a claim with each party.
Below, our attorneys discuss some of the types of incidents that may involve multiple parties and when you may be able to file a claim.
When Can Multiple Parties be Held Liable for an Accident?
There are several occasions when more than one party could be responsible for damages after an accident.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents
When more than one driver acts negligently, it could result in a chain-reaction accident. Usually, this happens because of:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving too closely
- Driving under the influence
Determining fault for a multi-vehicle accident may be complicated. It is important that you have an experienced attorney review some facts of the crash, including police reports, witness statements and damage to your vehicle.
Truck Accidents
Generally, when a truck driver causes an accident, injury victims will file a claim with the company that employs the driver. However, if improperly loaded cargo contributed to the crash as well, you may have a claim against the party that loaded the cargo.
When attempting to pursue compensation from multiple parties in a truck accident, your attorney is likely going to need to review federal and state regulations to determine if rules were broken.
Mechanical Failures
In some rare instances, an accident may be caused by a manufacturer error that resulted in a mechanical failure, such as:
- Brake failure
- Engine failure
- Feature functions failure
- And more
Safety recalls from vehicle manufacturers happen. And when they do, it is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to take the appropriate action to fix the problem, so the vehicle is safe to operate. Although rare, there could be a chance that a vehicle owner and a manufacturer could be liable for an accident if the failure of a recalled part contributed to the accident.
Road Conditions
Winter weather in Indiana forces cities, municipalities and other government entities to plow snow and icy roads. But sometimes these entities fail to do their job to keep roads safe and accidents result. These entities may face liability for damages that result.
If an accident is caused by one vehicle swerving to avoid a hazard in the road, there is a chance you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance and the government entity responsible for the road.
Comparative Fault in Indiana
If you are involved in an accident in which you are one of the at-fault parties, you might still be able to recover compensation if you were injured.
In Indiana, injury victims who are less than 51 percent responsible for an accident that caused their injuries may still pursue compensation from other liable parties. However, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault. If you are found to be 10 percent at fault for a case worth $100,000, your recovery could be reduced by $10,000.
Call an Experienced Attorney
The attorneys at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak are prepared to review your claim to determine if multiple parties may be responsible for your injuries. The initial consultation is free.
If you decide to hire our firm, we will not charge you anything up front or while we work on your claim. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf, so there is no risk to you.
Call us today to schedule a free case review: (844) 678-1800
