When it comes to whose insurance pays in a multi-car accident, it will be determined based on the details of your case. Not only is each driver’s degree of fault taken into consideration, but so are local state laws.
The process of determining whose insurance pays in a multi-car accident requires multiple insurers to coordinate with one another and figure out how to collectively cover the extent of all the damages. To understand whose insurance will pay, call a Kansas City car accident lawyer.
If you were involved in a multi-car accident, it’s not uncommon to be confused about whose insurance is responsible for covering the damages you sustained. However, your attorney can advise you on what you can expect and pursue compensation on your behalf.
How Fault Is Determined in Missouri
Missouri uses a fault-based—or tort—insurance system. This means that the driver or drivers who are found to be responsible for the crash will be financially liable for the damages that result from the collision.
The at-fault driver’s insurance is usually the first line of payment that victims will use to recover the value of the property that was damaged in the crash. It is also the first line of payment for any injuries suffered by those hurt in the incident.
However, in a multi-car accident, the process of determining fault is rarely this straightforward. Instead of a two-car collision where one driver rear-ends another, multi-vehicle crashes involve a chain reaction that causes several points of impact and includes multiple acts of negligence.
The Pure Comparative Fault Rule in Missouri
Missouri follows the pure comparative fault rule. This legality assigns a percentage of fault to each driver based on their contribution to the crash. Each driver’s percentage of fault will then reduce any damages that they are individually eligible to recover.
For example, if you were found to be 25% at fault for a multi-car pile-up, the amount that you can recover from other parties would be reduced by 25% as a result. Because of this system, more than one driver’s insurance can contribute to the payout in a multi-car crash.
Furthermore, a single injured party might be able to receive compensation from several different insurers, depending on how liability is split.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Common Scenarios in Multi-Car Accidents
The sequence of events in a multi-car accident often determines whose insurance pays. These are some examples of common scenarios that result in these collisions:
Chain-Reaction Rear-End Collisions
When one driver makes a sudden stop and the car behind them hits them as a result, it’s not uncommon for the first vehicle to collide with the one in front of it due to the impact from behind. Typically, the driver who initiated the chain reaction is the one who carries the highest degree of fault, but drivers who were following too closely or not paying attention may share liability as well.
Merging and Lane-Change Crashes
If a driver makes an unsafe lane change on I-70 or any other busy highway, other vehicles on the road might end up swerving suddenly or braking abruptly. This behavior is likely going to trigger collisions, so the insurer of the driver who made the unsafe lane change will likely be primarily responsible.
Intersection Collisions
At intersections, the vehicle that fails to yield or chooses to run a red light may be chiefly responsible for the incident. However, drivers who enter the intersection without taking caution—even when they had the right of way—could still be partially at-fault.
Weather-Related Pile-Ups
On icy winter roads or during periods of heavy rain, drivers may lose control of their vehicles. Now, even if the weather is a contributing factor in the crash, each driver’s actions—such as driving too fast for conditions—will be evaluated when determining fault and identifying which insurance companies should pay.
Insurance Coverage That May Come Into Play
In a multi-car crash, several types of insurance coverage might apply:
- Liability coverage: This is the primary coverage for at-fault drivers. Missouri requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person in addition to $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: This is required in Missouri, and it can cover your injuries if an at-fault driver does not have insurance.
- Underinsured motorist coverage: Though this is not required by law, it’s still common in many policies, and it kicks in if the at-fault driver’s liability limits aren’t enough to cover your damages.
- Medical payments coverage: While MedPay is optional in Missouri, it can pay for medical expenses regardless of who’s at fault for the incident.
- Collision coverage: This pays for repairs to your own vehicle, no matter who caused the accident, though the amount of money you can recover will be subject to your deductible.
In multi-car situations, it’s not unusual for several policies—meaning both yours and other drivers’ insurance—to go into effect.
Call Us Today to Figure Out Whose Insurance Pays in a Multi-Car Accident
If you’ve been involved in a collision involving multiple vehicles and you’re wondering which insurance company is responsible for paying for the damages, you’re not alone. This can be a complicated question to answer, but that’s where Kansas City car accident attorneys can help.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, our car accident lawyers in Kansas City can tackle the responsibility of determining liability in your case. We know this is a confusing and stressful time in your life, but you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
With over 45 years of combined experience, we’ve successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation. It’s your injury, but it’s our fight, and we’re ready to protect your legal rights as your attorney.
