It is difficult enough to determine who is at fault in a car accident that only involves two vehicles. However, it becomes even more complicated in a three-car crash. Generally, the driver whose negligence caused the accident is responsible for the crash. However, determining who’s at fault in a three-car accident requires a thorough investigation. Two drivers may even share fault for the wreck, depending on the factors of the crash.

If you suffered injuries in a car accident, but you are not sure who to hold liable for your damages, contact OEB Law, PLLC. Our lawyers have helped many car accident victims in Tennessee recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.

We can help you hold the at-fault driver or drivers liable for your injuries. Our legal team enlists the aid of accident reconstruction specialists to help determine fault in complex cases. Contact us now at 865-546-1111 to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with one of our firm’s car accident lawyers.

How Can an Accident Reconstruction Specialist Help Prove Fault?

An accident reconstruction specialist examines everything from skid marks, road debris, and the final resting positions of the vehicles to determine the cause of an accident. A specialist can also establish the role each driver had in the crash. If you are not sure who caused your wreck, an accident reconstruction can prove who was liable.

Am I Liable If I Was the Middle Car in a Three-Car Accident?

You may or may not be responsible for hitting the car in front of you in a chain-reaction accident. For instance, if a vehicle rear-ended you while you were at a red light, and this forced you to hit the car in front of you, you might not be responsible for the collision.

On the other hand, if the driver in front of you suddenly hit the brakes and you were traveling too closely, you might be responsible for rear-ending them and causing the driver behind you to crash, too. However, if the front driver was driving while drunk or their brake lights were not working, you may be only partially at fault.

Can Violating a Tennessee Law Help to Prove Fault?

Yes, it can—regardless of how many vehicles are in a crash. If you were in violation of any state laws and caused the crash, you could be liable for the other drivers’ damages. Of course, this all depends on the circumstances that lead to the accident.

The most common types of traffic law violations include:

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
Distracted d riving;
Driving on a revoked license;
Driving without auto insurance;
Failing to yield the right-of-way; and
Speeding.

There are many causes of three-car accidents. Each one has its own unique factors that require investigation to determine fault.

What Is Partial Fault?

Partial fault is when more than one driver shares responsibility for causing a car accident. In three-car accidents where fault is in question, an insurance adjuster investigating the case may find more than one driver caused the wreck. When this happens, the adjuster will assign a percentage of fault to each driver. This is comparative fault.

What Is Comparative Fault?

In comparative fault cases in Tennessee, the total amount of compensation a driver can recover depends on their percentage of fault. If you played a part in causing the crash, you will receive reduced compensation.

Comparative fault does not prevent you from recovering compensation for damages in an accident, as long as you were not 50 percent or more at fault for the accident. For instance, if you filed an insurance claim for $20,000, but were 30 percent at fault for the accident, you would receive $14,000.

How Can I Get Help Filing an Insurance Claim?

On your own, it is difficult to determine fault in a three-car accident. However, OEB Law, PLLC, can help you by using our various resources to investigate your crash. We can also file and negotiate an insurance claim against the at-fault drivers’ auto insurer on your behalf. If the insurance company refuses to settle, we can file a lawsuit in court to get you the compensation you need to pay for your damages.

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