Florida Lawyer Representing People Hurt in Multi-Vehicle Accidents
People who drive erratically often lose control of their cars and crash into other vehicles. In many instances, the initial impact triggers a series of events that lead to a multi-vehicle accident. Collisions involving multiple cars often cause widespread damages, and in many cases, it is not readily ascertainable who is responsible and to what degree. If you were hurt in a crash involving more than two vehicles, you might be able to pursue claims against multiple parties, and you should consult a lawyer. The knowledgeable Pensacola personal injury attorneys of Cardoso Law, PLLC, are adept at handling the complexities of lawsuits arising out of multi-vehicle accidents, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly to help you prove another party is responsible for your losses. Our office is located in Pensacola, and we regularly help parties in car accident cases in cities throughout Florida.
Scenarios that Lead to Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Multi-vehicle collisions often arise due to the carelessness of more than one motorist. For example, a driver speeding or traveling too fast for the current weather conditions may lose control and rear-end a second motorist. If the second motorist is following a third car too closely, the initial impact may cause the second car to collide with the third car. Additionally, if a driver suddenly changes lanes without warning, it may cause a second driver to stop abruptly, resulting in a multi-car pileup. In some cases, an oncoming driver may fail to notice cars stopped due to an initial collision and may be unable to change lanes or slow down in time to avoid striking them.
Elements of a Lawsuit Arising Out of a Multi-Car Accident
Typically, in a lawsuit arising from a car accident, the plaintiff will argue that the defendant drove negligently. Establishing liability for negligence requires a plaintiff to show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty, which in most cases is the obligation to act with reasonable care or abide by the law regarding the operation of motor vehicles. The plaintiff then must show that the defendant breached the duty. Finally, the plaintiff must establish causation and damages, which requires offering evidence that the plaintiff suffered actual harm that would not have occurred but for the defendant’s behavior.
The claims the plaintiffs assert are generally the same in cases involving multi-vehicle accidents. Still, proving negligence is more complicated than a case involving one defendant. For example, both defendants may attempt to avoid liability by assigning blame to one another. Further, multiple people are often hurt in such collisions, and in many cases, the injured parties may be partially responsible for the accident. Fortunately, under Florida’s pure comparative fault law, a plaintiff deemed partially at fault for an accident may still recover damages. Any compensation awarded will be reduced in proportion to the negligence attributed to the plaintiff, though. For example, if a jury awards a plaintiff $100,000 but finds the plaintiff bears 30% of the responsibility for causing the collision, the plaintiff will only recover $70,000.
Meet with a Trusted Pensacola Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Numerous drivers are often at fault in multi-vehicle accidents, and establishing each party’s liability can be challenging. If you were injured in a collision with multiple cars, you should speak to a car accident lawyer about what damages you can recover. The trusted Pensacola multi-vehicle accident lawyer of Cardoso Law, PLLC, has the skills and experience to achieve favorable outcomes. If you hire us, we will work diligently to help you pursue compensation from the parties responsible for your harm. Our office is in Pensacola, and we frequently help people hurt in car accidents in Pensacola, Ferry Pass, West Pensacola, Cantonment, Brent, Bellview, Century, Milton, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville. In addition, we represent parties in personal injury lawsuits in cities in Santa Rosa, Escambia, Okaloosa Counties, and throughout Florida. You can reach us at (850) 466-2073 or through the online form to set up a conference.