Whose Insurance Pays In a Multi-Car Accident?

Injured victims are entitled to compensation for an accident caused by someone else. Even so, an insurance company will only pay a claim after determining their policyholder’s liability for the crash. Liability can become complicated when many vehicles are involved in a single collision.

The liable party for a multi-crash accident depends on the driver or drivers who caused or contributed to the crash. Sometimes, multiple parties may have caused the accident, making it difficult to allocate liability. You must do so, however, to recover compensation from the appropriate insurance policies. To establish liability, consider the following:

• Police reports and eyewitness accounts
• Statements from each driver involved
• Accident reconstruction or expert testimony
  

Determining Liability in a Multi-Car Crash

Unlike two single-vehicle accidents, crashes involving many vehicles can involve extensive property damage, severe injuries, and fatalities. Common injuries from multi-car crashes include neck injuries, internal bleeding, spinal cord injuries, concussions, and broken limbs. Injuries and damage can be costly, making financial recovery imperative.

In Missouri, more than one party can be at fault for a car accident. Sometimes, one driver might fail to yield properly, and another driver might be too distracted to slow down in time to avoid crashing into them. Once these two cars collide, they cause a pile-up of vehicles in the traffic lane. In this case, both the distracted driver and the one who failed to yield can share responsibility for the resulting injuries to everyone involved. Victims might file more than one insurance claim, or the insurance companies might handle the allocation of funds between themselves. Either way, victims want to ensure they get full compensation. 

Witness statements play a critical role in determining liability. If you witnessed a car accident, it’s important to understand your responsibilities and how your account can impact the case.

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Gary Burger

Litigation attorney

Factors That Complicate Determining Liability

Liability determination in a multi-car accident can be far more complex than in a two-vehicle crash. Several factors contribute to this complexity:

1. Multiple Impact Points: In a chain-reaction accident, there may be more than one point of impact, making it harder to pinpoint who initiated the sequence of collisions. For instance, Car A might rear-end Car B, causing Car B to collide with Car C. Did Car A’s driver brake too late, or was Car B already at fault for driving too close to Car C?
2. Conflicting Witness Statements: In multi-car accidents, especially on busy St. Louis roads like I-64 or Lindbergh Boulevard, there may be numerous witnesses. Nonetheless, they may provide differing accounts of what happened, which can make it difficult for investigators to piece together a clear picture of the accident.
3. Weather and Road Conditions: Bad weather is often a complicating factor, particularly during St. Louis winters when icy roads are common. In adverse conditions, even minor errors in judgment—such as braking too hard—can trigger a multi-car pile-up.
4. Driver Distraction or Impairment: In some cases, one driver’s negligence might have caused the crash, but that negligence could be harder to prove in a multi-car accident. For example, a driver texting or under the influence of alcohol could create the conditions that led to the crash but may claim that someone else was at fault.
   

Comparative Negligence in Multi-Car Accidents

Missouri follows the pure comparative negligence system. This means that each driver involved in the accident can be assigned a percentage of fault, and the compensation they can claim is reduced by their degree of fault. For instance, if you are involved in a multi-car accident on Highway 40 and the court finds you to be 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of the damages from the other parties.

The pure comparative negligence rule benefits accident victims because they are not barred from recovering compensation, even if they are partially responsible for the crash. Missouri’s fault laws allow for fair compensation, but assigning fault in multi-car accidents requires thorough investigation—often involving insurance companies, legal teams, and, in some cases, accident reconstruction experts.

Learn more about how comparative negligence works and how it applies to your case on this comparative negligence article.

Comparative vs. Contributory Negligence

What’s the difference between comparative and contributory negligence? In Missouri, we follow a comparative negligence system, where each driver can be held partially responsible and still recover damages. In contrast, contributory negligence—followed by only a few states—bars an injured party from recovering compensation if they are even 1% at fault.

While Missouri’s system allows for more flexibility in assigning blame, contributory negligence can be much harsher on victims, potentially leaving them with no recourse for compensation.

Your Legal Rights When You’re the Victim

What are your legal rights if you’re the victim in a multi-car accident? If you’re an innocent party involved in a multi-car collision, Missouri law ensures that you have the right to seek compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: Including hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working.
• Property Damage: Covering repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for emotional distress or physical pain resulting from the accident.

An experienced St. Louis car accident attorney from Burger Law can help you build a strong case to maximize your compensation.

Your Legal Rights if at Fault

If you’re partially or even fully at fault for a multi-car accident, you still have legal rights under Missouri’s comparative negligence law. You can file a claim for your own injuries and damages, though the amount of compensation you can recover will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you’re 40% at fault in a multi-car accident on I-70, you can still recover 60% of your total damages.

Additionally, you may face liability claims from other drivers involved, making it crucial to seek legal representation to protect your rights.

How to Financially Recover from a Multi-Car Accident

Recovering financially after a multi-car accident can be daunting, especially when multiple parties are involved. To maximize your compensation, you should:

1. Leverage Multiple Insurance Policies: Depending on the extent of your damages, you may need to rely on your own insurance policies, such as collision coverage or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
2. Seek Legal Guidance: A lawyer can negotiate with multiple insurers, ensuring that you are not unfairly blamed or shortchanged on your compensation.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Multi-Car Accident

When filing a personal injury claim after a multi-car accident, evidence is key. Your attorney will help gather essential evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records, to establish liability and quantify your damages. Missouri’s statute of limitations gives you five years to file a personal injury claim, but it’s best to act as soon as possible to preserve evidence and witness testimony.

How Can You Account for Missing Damages After a Multi-Car Accident?

Sometimes, the full scope of your injuries or property damage isn’t immediately apparent. How can you recover damages that surface after your initial claim? Missouri law allows accident victims to recover future damages for ongoing medical treatment or lost wages. It’s essential to work with your attorney to ensure that your compensation accounts for any long-term or latent injuries.

Common Multi-Car Accident Scenarios in St. Louis

St. Louis drivers experience multi-car accidents in various scenarios, especially in high-traffic areas. Some common scenarios include:

1. Chain-Reaction Rear-End Collisions on I-64: These accidents occur when one vehicle fails to stop in time, causing a domino effect where several cars crash into each other.
2. Intersection Crashes at Kingshighway and Natural Bridge: Misjudging traffic lights or failing to yield can cause multi-car pile-ups at busy intersections.
3. Weather-Related Pile-Ups on I-70: Snow, ice, or fog on this major interstate often lead to multi-car accidents during winter months.
4. Construction Zone Accidents on I-44: Sudden lane changes or reduced speeds can cause confusion and collisions in roadwork areas.
5. Merging Lane Collisions on Highway 40: Drivers failing to properly merge or check blind spots can trigger accidents involving several vehicles.

Steps to Take After a Multi-Car Accident

After a multi-car accident in St. Louis, follow these steps to protect your legal rights and maximize your potential compensation:

1. Check for Injuries: Prioritize your safety and that of others. Call 911 if anyone is injured.
2. Document the Scene: Take photos of all vehicles involved, skid marks, road conditions, and any other evidence that might prove useful.
3. Collect Witness Information: Get the contact details of witnesses who saw the accident.
4. File a Police Report: In Missouri, it’s essential to file a police report for accidents resulting in injuries or significant property damage.
5. Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked by a healthcare professional to ensure no latent issues are overlooked.
6. Contact a Lawyer: Get in touch with an experienced car accident attorney, such as those at Burger Law, to help you navigate insurance claims and potential legal challenges.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Since different parties share fault, it can be difficult to prove how each party contributed to the accident and why they are liable. A car accident claim attorney possesses the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to navigate a complex case involving multiple drivers and insurance policies. 

To establish that a particular party is liable for a crash, an attorney can prove fault using different pieces of evidence, including:

• Video surveillance footage from local businesses
• Red light camera footage showing violation of a specific driver
• Police reports indicating that one or more drivers were cited or violated traffic laws
• Witness statement with details of how the accident occurred

Once an attorney has established the liable party, they’ll offer legal support during the claim process. They can provide evidence of your losses, negotiate a fair settlement with insurers, or take the case to court if neede.

Get in Touch With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney to Discover Your Options

You deserve compensation for medical expenses and other injury-related losses if you sustained an injury in an auto accident. Working with an experienced car accident attorney enhances your chances of identifying and holding liable parties fully accountable.

Burger Law has a team of highly qualified attorneys with 70 years of combined litigation experience. Contact us online or Call Us at (314) 500-HURT for a free case evaluation.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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