Rhode Island Accident Lawyer Blog
On September 8, The Sun Chronicle reported three people were injured in a four-car accident on Route 123 (East Main Street) in Norton. All four vehicles involved in the traffic accident were traveling westbound on East Main Street at the time of the traffic accident. One driver was transported to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence and two other drivers were transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro. All three drivers had non-life-threatening injuries. The fourth driver in the traffic accident was not injured.
According to the police, the driver of a Cadillac SUV collided with the vehicle in front of him causing a chain reaction traffic accident. The driver of the Cadillac SUV has been charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and marked lanes violation. The driver of another vehicle involved in the traffic accident was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Law enforcement officers continue to investigate the traffic accident.
Determining Fault In A Multi-Vehicle Traffic Accident
In order to recover compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages in a traffic accident, you must prove that another driver was at fault for the collision. You must also prove you suffered damages as a result of the traffic accident. Even though the police report is a good place to begin an independent accident investigation, the determination of fault by the police officer is not conclusive proof of fault in a personal injury lawsuit. The insurance company for the other driver may dispute fault, thereby denying your accident claim.
In a multi-vehicle traffic accident, it may be difficult to determine who was at fault for the traffic accident. All of the drivers involved in the collision may have very different versions of how the multi-vehicle traffic accident occurred. The police officer investigating the accident typically listens to each driver’s account of how the accident occurred, in addition to any information provided by eyewitnesses, to determine fault. He may also review the evidence at the accident scene as he makes a decision whether to charge one or more of the drivers involved in the crash.
Why Do Insurance Companies Deny Fault?
If the damages from the traffic accident are substantial, the insurance companies for the drivers may dispute the police officer’s determination of fault. Each insurance company wants the other insurance companies to bear the cost of the accident. Therefore, none of the insurance companies take responsibility for the accident causing the accident victim to be “bounced around” between various insurance adjusters. This process can be extremely frustrating and stressful for an accident victim. Furthermore, if the insurance companies can argue about fault long enough, the statute of limitations may expire preventing the accident victim from filing a lawsuit to force one of the companies to accept responsibility. That being the case, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after a multi-vehicle traffic accident.
Do I Need A Massachusetts Car Accident Attorney For A Multi-Vehicle Traffic Accident?
It is in your best interest to contact a Rhode Island car accident attorney for any traffic accident, but especially for a multi-vehicle traffic accident. The insurance company for the other driver has a team of professionals working to protect its best interest. The insurance adjuster is not working for you. He will not inform you of your legal rights. Therefore, you need and deserve someone working on your behalf who protects your best interest and who puts your needs first. An experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney investigates the accident to identify and preserve key evidence used to prove fault.
The car accident attorneys of Tapalian Law offer free legal consultations and case evaluations to accident victims. Contact our office by calling
401-552-5000
or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys represent clients throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. If you cannot come to us, we will come to you!