If you were involved in a multi-vehicle car accident in Ohio, it is likely that there as at least one person to blame for the accident and the injuries resulting from the crash. Determining who is at-fault for your accident and your injuries is often the first step to filing a personal injury claim to recover damages.
Who is liable for my accident?
In order to determine who is responsible for your accident, your attorney will review the circumstances surrounding your car accident. Your attorney can help determine if anyone’s negligence contributed to or caused the accident. Generally, one or more of the following parties may be at-fault for your accident.
- The other driver – In a multi-vehicle accident, it is likely that the other drivers drove negligently by failing to abide by traffic laws. Speeding, driving while distracted, following too closely, and failing to stop at a stop sign are all forms of negligent driving.
- The owner of the other vehicle – In some cases, the owner of a vehicle negligently entrusted their vehicle to an unlicensed or negligent driver and may also be liable for the accident, even though they were not driving the vehicle themselves.
- Employer of the other driver – If the other driver was driving a vehicle while within the course and scope of their employment, the driver’s employer may be liable for its employee’s negligent driving.
- You – It is possible that you were partially or fully liable for your own accident and injuries. However, if you were less than 50 percent at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages from other at-fault parties. Your damages will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 30 percent liable, you may only recover $70,000 of your $100,000 in damages.
Determining who was liable for your accident can be challenging without the help of an experienced attorney. An attorney in your area can ensure you file suit against the correct parties so that you have a better chance at recovering damages following your accident.