Who is Responsible in Multi-Vehicle Accidents in Texas?

April 26, 2022 | Car Accidents

Vehicle accidents can be confusing, particularly when there are more than two vehicles involved. Multi-vehicle accidents in Texas present significant challenges, particularly when it comes to determining liability. Here, our car accident attorneys in Austin want to discuss possible fault scenarios for multi-vehicle crashes involving three or more vehicles.

Who is At-Fault?

There is no way to actually say who is going to be at fault in a multi-vehicle collision in a single article. There is simply not enough information about a particular theoretical incident to make that determination. Every single multi-vehicle car accident that occurs in Texas will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine fault.

In some cases, an accident involving three or more vehicles is caused by the actions of one driver alone. For example, if one driver runs a red light because they are intoxicated and impacts three, four, or more vehicles, then it is very likely then a single driver will be found responsible for the incident.

However, there are times when more than one driver could share fault for an incident. If one driver strikes a pedestrian at an intersection but is then rear-ended by another driver, who is then rear-ended by another driver, there could be three individuals at fault for the incident because every driver is responsible for leaving enough distance between themselves and the vehicles in front of them to prevent this from occurring.

What Is Comparative Fault in Texas?

It is crucial to understand that Texas operates under a “modified comparative fault” system. Under this type of system, individuals can still recover compensation even if they are partially at fault. Texas operates with a 51% rule concerning comparative fault. This means that any person 51% or more responsible for causing their own injuries will be unable to recover compensation. However, any person 50% or less responsible for the incident may be able to recover compensation.

However, there is a catch to this – individuals will receive reduced compensation based on their percentage of fault for an accident. For example, if a person sustains $10,000 worth of medical bills caused by a rear-end collision, but a jury finds that they were 20% at fault because they had faulty brake lights, then they would receive $8,000 instead of the full $10,000.

This comparative fault system can be broadened to multiple parties, depending on how fault is spread out over a multi-vehicle accident.

What Are My Options in a Multi-Vehicle Accident in Texas?

If you or somebody you care about has been injured or sustained property damage in a multi-vehicle accident in Texas, you should reach out to a skilled Austin personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You need to be able to recover compensation for your losses, particularly if another driver was at fault. 

However, if you shared some of the fault for the incident, or if you are being blamed for the incident, an attorney can step in, conduct a complete investigation, and help you stand up to aggressive insurance carriers. Your lawyer will have the resources necessary to handle the entire claim on your behalf so you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting your vehicle repaired.