Our Florida Car Accident Attorneys Understand Multi-Vehicle Accidents 

After being involved in a multi-vehicle accident in Florida, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Are you entitled to insurance coverage? If so, whose insurance company is liable for your injuries, and how can you make sure you receive the full coverage you deserve?

These are not easy questions to answer, and they are far from the only issues that need to be addressed after a multi-vehicle accident in Florida. In order to protect your legal rights, you will need to hire an experienced car accident lawyer, and it will be important for you to do so right away.

Common Multi-Vehicle Accident Scenarios in Florida

Multi-vehicle accidents can occur under a broad range of different scenarios. From speeding and distracted driving to slick roads and obstructed views, there are various issues that can cause and contribute to dangerous multi-vehicle collisions. Some examples of common situations in which these accidents occur include:

• One driver being rear-ended and pushed forward into the rear of another vehicle

• Two (or more) crashed vehicles obstructing the road, causing other vehicles to collide as well

• Low visibility due to rain or fog causing multi-vehicle pileups on the highway

• A vehicle being involved in a side-impact collision and then “pinballing” to collide with another vehicle in the lane on the opposite side

• A collision between two (or more) vehicles blocks an intersection, leading to a multivehicle accident

About Chain Reaction Car Accidents

Many multi-vehicle accidents involve chain reactions. In a chain reaction accident, two vehicles collide initially, and then this leads to additional vehicles crashing as well. For example, if a driver stops short of an intersection and gets rear-ended, a following driver may not have time to stop before rear-ending the vehicles that were involved in the initial accident. If traffic is heavy, or if vehicles are traveling at a high rate of speed, this may happen multiple times in short succession, leading to a long chain of damaged vehicles and injured drivers and passengers.

Special Factors to Consider in Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Multi-vehicle accidents can present a number of complex challenges when it comes to recovering financial compensation. At Searcy Denney, we are experienced in handling these issues on behalf of our clients, and we have a long track record of successfully recovering just compensation for our clients’ losses. Some examples of the issues we have been able to successfully overcome for our clients include:

• More than one at-fault driver

• More than one injured party (in the same vehicle or in multiple vehicles)

• Insufficient insurance coverage to pay all injured parties’ claims

• Claims of negligence filed between multiple drivers

• Prosecutors’ investigations of serious or fatal injuries

How Does Florida’s “No Fault” Insurance Law Affect Multivehicle Accident Claims?

Under Florida’s “no fault” insurance law, the first $10,000 of your financial recovery will typically come from your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. This PIP coverage is mandatory under Florida law. If your losses exceed $10,000 – which could easily be the case if you have suffered serious and permanent injuries – then you can pursue fault-based claims against the other drivers’ insurance companies.

What if One (or Both) of the Other Drivers are Uninsured?

If you are entitled to compensation beyond your PIP coverage and one or both of the other drivers involved in the accident is uninsured, you potentially have a few options available. If at least one of the drivers is insured, then you can pursue a claim against his or her insurance company. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance coverage, you may be able to file a claim against your UIM policy as well – and you may be able to “stack” your coverage if you have multiple vehicles.

It is also possible that a road hazard or vehicle defect caused or contributed to your collision. If this is the case, you could have a claim against an automotive manufacturer, construction contractor or other third party. When we investigate your multivehicle accident, we will explore all potential sources of financial recovery.

What Do I Need to Do to Protect My Rights?

To protect your rights after a multivehicle collision, the most important thing you can do is contact an attorney as soon as possible. You can contact our offices 24/7, and if we are not available immediately we will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

Contact Our Florida Car Accident Law Firm Today

If you or a loved one has been involved in a multi-vehicle accident in Florida, we encourage you to speak with one of our experienced auto accident attorneys about your legal rights. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible, call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can reach you online now.