When a car accident occurs, one or more drivers can be held liable for causing it to happen. It all depends on what they were doing before the accident. For example, if one driver was texting on their cell phone and another was speeding, both could be blamed if their actions contributed to a crash.
If you were the victim of a collision in which two or more parties contributed to the incident, your attorney can explain the steps that will need to be taken to hold the liable parties accountable for their negligence.
When More Than One Driver was Responsible for Causing You to Engage in a Collision
If two or more drivers were liable for an accident in which you were injured (this often happens in chain-reaction crashes), your attorney could review your case to determine each party’s percentage of fault and how much each should be required to provide you for your injuries and losses. Because Virginia is considered a fault state, you may be entitled to recover compensation from both drivers’ insurance carriers.
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) currently requires each of its drivers to carry the following types of insurance coverage:
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage for the injury or death of one person
- $50,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for two or more persons
- $20,000 in property damage coverage
Can a Passenger Hold Both Drivers Liable?
A passenger injured in the accident can hold any drivers who contributed to the accident liable. This could include the third-party drivers and the driver of the car the passenger is riding in.
This can be complex, but a lawyer can help you navigate the process.
Dealing with Insurance Companies Can Be Difficult
When you’re involved in a car accident with a driver in a fault state, it means the driver who is liable for causing the accident is also responsible for paying for the damages they cause. Now, because more than one driver is involved in your accident, it can get a little tricky in determining whose insurance carrier should pay for what. This is where it helps to have a car accident lawyer assisting you through the claims process.
Fault May Be Disputed By Either Insurer
Because insurance companies may look for any excuse not to cover a car accident claim, each carrier might try to throw the blame on the other driver’s carrier. This can lead to a lot of back and forth between you and the insurance companies involved—it could even lead to your claim being delayed or denied.
The last thing any car accident victim needs or wants is to have to wait weeks or months to recover the money they need to for medical care and make up for the wages they cannot earn.
Damages You May Be Entitled to Collect After a Car Accident in Manassas
If you have a valid case against any of the drivers you were involved in an accident with, you may be eligible to collect damages. Damages is a legal term insurance companies and courts use to refer to financial relief. Therefore, when you hear the term “damages,” it is more than likely associated with compensation.
Depending on what coverages are available and the limits of any relevant policy, you may be entitled to collect the following damages:
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience
- Mental anguish
- Past and future medical bills
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages
If insurance is not available, or the policy limits become exhausted, you may have the grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is worth discussing with a lawyer, especially if you suffered severe injuries or have limited insurance coverage. If you’re considering suing another driver, you should be aware that the Code of Virginia §8.01-243 imposes a two-year statute of limitations to take legal action.
Why Should You Choose the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC After Engaging in a Car Accident in Manassas?
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident that involved one or more parties at fault in Manassas, we could provide you with legal advice and guidance. If you don’t know which insurer to file a claim with or can’t figure out how much you should receive in damages, attorney Jim Parrish will answer all of your questions and ensure your concerns are addressed.
Jim has experience on the other side of the table—representing insurance companies not injured victims. This experience allows him to predict how insurance companies may act and prepare for their next move.
Call Today for Your Free Consultation
If you would like to find out if you have a case, what it is worth, and what your next steps should be, contact the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC at (571) 229-1800 – we provide free consultations.
You pay us no attorney’s fees unless and until you recover compensation. Call today to speak with a member of our team.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form
