Car accidents can be complicated, especially when they involve multiple vehicles. In New Jersey, determining fault becomes challenging if a car hits you and causes you to collide with someone else. Understanding how fault is determined can help you navigate this confusing situation.
New Jersey’s comparative negligence rule
New Jersey follows a system called comparative negligence to determine who is at fault in an accident. This means that more than one driver can share responsibility for the crash. In a scenario where one car hits you and pushes your vehicle into another car, the courts may divide the fault between multiple drivers based on their actions.
Chain reaction accidents
Accidents involving multiple cars are often called chain reaction accidents. In these situations, it is important to understand that each driver’s behavior will be carefully analyzed. For example, if a car hits you from behind and you end up hitting another vehicle, the driver who caused the initial collision will often be considered responsible. However, you could share some responsibility if you were following too closely or weren’t paying attention when the accident happened.
Investigating the accident
In a multi-vehicle crash, investigators look at several factors to determine who is at fault. They examine evidence like skid marks, damage to each vehicle, and witness statements. They also consider whether each driver took reasonable actions to prevent the accident. The idea is to determine if any of the drivers involved could have done something differently to avoid the crash or lessen the damage.
Moving forward after an accident
Being involved in an accident where another car causes you to hit someone else can be overwhelming. In these situations, it’s important to remember that fault isn’t always black and white. The best thing to do is to stay calm, provide accurate information, and be prepared for the process of determining each party’s role in the crash.