Highway crashes involving multiple vehicles are often chaotic, fast-moving, and devastating. One moment of distraction or a sudden stop can lead to a chain-reaction pileup. When that happens, figuring out who is responsible becomes a key issue.
In Michigan, determining fault in a multi-car highway accident can be tricky. The state’s no-fault insurance system can cover some of your losses. However, depending on the facts of your case, you may also be able to seek additional compensation from the at-fault driver. To do that, you’ll need a car accident lawyer to understand how fault is assigned in these types of crashes.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Michigan multi-vehicle accident, contact Khamo Law’s dedicated Sterling Heights car accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation.
Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System
Michigan law requires all drivers to carry no-fault insurance, which pays for medical bills, lost wages, and other economic losses after a crash without regard to who caused the accident. This system is designed to help accident victims get care quickly without having to prove fault.
However, when an accident involves serious injuries or permanent impairment, you may have the right to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Through a lawsuit, you can recover compensation for your non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. At that point, determining who was at fault becomes critically important.
How Fault Is Determined in Multi-Car Accidents
In a typical rear-end collision, the trailing driver is usually presumed to be at fault. However, things are often more complicated with a multi-vehicle highway accident. One driver’s mistake might have triggered the crash, but multiple drivers may share responsibility.
Your car accident attorney in Sterling Heights will work with police officers and insurance adjusters to piece together the sequence of events and determine who caused the accident. They’ll examine:
- Physical evidence from the scene, including vehicle damage and skid marks
- Statements from witnesses and those involved in the crash
- Weather, traffic, and lighting conditions
- Any available dash cam or traffic camera footage
The goal is to identify whether one or more drivers acted negligently. That might include speeding, following too closely, texting while driving, or failing to adjust to road conditions.
Comparative Fault in Michigan
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault law that will apply to any claims against the other driver (it will not apply to claims against your own PIP insurance policy). If you are partially to blame for the crash, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your award would be reduced by 20%.
However, if you are more than 50% responsible, state law prevents you from recovering non-economic damages from the opposing party. This is why determining fault matters so much in serious injury cases.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Sterling Heights for a Complimentary Consultation
Insurance companies often try to push the blame onto other drivers to avoid paying large claims. In a multi-car pileup, that finger-pointing can delay your recovery and leave you with less than you’re owed.
A personal injury attorney in Sterling Heights can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and protect your rights. With multiple parties involved, your attorney can also help ensure that you’re not unfairly blamed or left out of a settlement.
If you were hurt in a highway crash in Michigan, it’s likely in your best interest to set up a free consultation with an attorney before you provide a statement to an insurer. Contact a Sterling Heights car accident lawyer from Khamo Law today at (248) 466-0606 or fill out our contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation.