Whether a crash was the combination of multiple reckless drivers, or whether the accident resulted from poor road conditions as well as a driver’s negligence, more than one party can be at fault for a crash. Even in car accidents where there are only two drivers, it is possible for multiple parties to be at fault. How much is paid in compensation, and by whom, will depend on how much liability is assigned to each person.
What would usually happen is that one driver’s policy would be treated as the “primary” coverage, and the other driver’s insurance would be the “secondary” or “excess” coverage. You would only collect from a secondary policy if the primary policy would not cover you completely.
For example, let’s say you were in a three-car crash, Driver A was the most liable, and so his (primary) insurance will cover $10,000, but you may have incurred $15,000 worth of damages. Driver B’s secondary insurance could cover the additional $5,000.
The good news is that you do not have to disentangle the events and determine liability yourself. The various insurance adjusters who are involved will have to sort this out. One they have assigned liability and decided who is providing primary coverage, then you can work with insurance to reach a fair settlement. This can be hassle enough however, and it can be difficult just to get a straight answer from insurance adjusters.
To ensure that you are not settling for an exceptionally low payout, work with a Raleigh personal injury lawyer. You may even have a personal injury lawsuit on your hands. Find out what your rights are when you contact the Whitley Law Firm. We are dedicated to providing the sound legal counsel that every person needs and deserves.
