How Is Liability Determined in a Multi‑Vehicle Car Accident in the Bay Area?
Multi-vehicle collisions introduce complex fault apportionment. California’s pure comparative negligence still governs, but the investigation demands rigorous analysis.
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Accident Reconstruction and Data Analysis
- Skid‑Mark Measurements: Estimating speed and braking distance.
- EDR (“Black Box”) Data: Vehicle event recorders capture pre-crash speed, braking, and throttle input.
- 3D Laser Scanning: Recreates the sequence of impacts among multiple vehicles.
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Eyewitness and Expert Testimony
- Driver and Passenger Statements: Corroborate or contradict physical evidence.
- Third‑Party Witnesses: Pedestrians, cyclists, or other motorists who can shed light on vehicle positions and actions.
- Traffic Engineering Experts: Analyze signal timing, sight lines, and intersection design.
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Comparative Fault Allocation
- California’s pure comparative negligence allows each driver to recover damages minus their percentage of fault. For example, if you’re deemed 20% at fault in a three‑car pileup but the lead car is 80% responsible, you can still collect 80% of your total damages.
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Insurance Coordination and Subrogation
- Multiple policies may be tapped: front‑impact driver’s liability carrier, rear‑impact driver’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, and third‑party excess insurers.
- Subrogation Claims: An insurer that pays your claim can step into your shoes to pursue the at‑fault party.
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Attorney’s Role in Complex Claims
- A lawyer like Mary Alexander organizes evidence, coordinates expert witnesses across jurisdictions (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties), and negotiates with multiple insurers to avoid lowball offers or conflicting fault narratives.
Next Steps: Multi‑vehicle wrecks demand meticulous legal strategy. Contact Mary Alexander today for a detailed liability assessment and to protect your right to full, fair compensation.
