Who Is at Fault in a Three-Car Accident?

Snapshot

The more cars involved in an accident, the more difficult it is to determine who is at fault. Even if one driver caused a three-car rear-end collision, the other two drivers may bear a portion of the fault.

Determining who is at fault in a three-car accident can be difficult, and frequently result in fault being spread among two or all three drivers. Even with a collision in which a car rear-ends a car in front of it, pushing it into a third car, the fault may not lie solely with the first driver. The driver of the middle car or the front car can also be at fault in a three-car accident.

While the rear-end, chain-reaction scenario may seem the most common type of three-car accident, it’s not. High speed accidents on two-lane or multi-lane highways can involve three or more vehicles and are among the most deadly and costly accidents.

But whether it’s a chain-reaction, rear-end collision, or a highway pileup, determining who is at fault in a three-way accident depends on a lot of factors, particularly how each driver was driving.

Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision Involving Three Cars?

The most common type of accidents involving more than one vehicle are front-end collisions, which make up half of all multiple-vehicle crashes. But rear-end collision come in second, comprising nearly one-third of all reportable accidents involving more than one car. When it comes to drivers and passengers being killed or injured, they’re also the second-most common type of accident after head-on collisions. Most drivers who’ve been driving for a while have been involved in, or seen, a chain-reaction rear-end collision. A line of cars is stopped at a traffic light, road work site, or for some other reason, and a car plows into the last stopped car, causing a chain reaction. While it may seem common sense that the driver of the rear car is at fault, that’s not always the case.

When the Car at Front Is at Fault

The car at front can be at fault in a three-car, rear-end chain-reaction collision if the first driver stops unexpectedly and the cars behind don’t have time to react. Even if the first driver stopped for a good reason – to avoid an animal or object in the road, for instance – they can still be found at fault. If they are distracted or swerve to avoid an object thrown from or falling off another car, the driver of that car may be partially responsible, but the driver who swerves or stops still may be, too.

When the Middle Car Is at Fault

Speeding, following too close or distraction can all be reasons the driver of the middle car may be at fault in a three-car crash.

If a driver is speeding or tailgating the car ahead, not allowing enough space for a sudden stop, they are in violation of driving rules that specify following the speed limit and allowing enough space between the car ahead of them to stop suddenly without colliding.

The middle-car driver may also be at fault if they’re distracted – they look down at their phone, or in the mirror, or at their cup of coffee – and don’t notice until it’s too late that the car ahead has stopped. If the middle car hits the front car because of driving too close, or distraction, and the car behind them can’t stop either, the middle car driver may be at fault.

When the Last Car Is at Fault

The driver in the last car can be found at fault for the same reason the middle-car driver can – the most common causes are speeding, following too close, or distracted driving. The driver in the last car plows into the one ahead of him, and that one hits the front car.

Who Is at Fault in a Three-Car Chain Reaction Accident?

Aside from rear-end collisions, there are many other ways three cars can be involved in an accident.  One driver may cause the accident by crossing the center line, or cutting off a car traveling in the same direction. That car hits another or causes it to swerve, causing a chain reaction with other cars. But even though one driver kicked off the accident, the other drivers may be found at fault, too, depending on how they were driving.

Multi-car highway accidents can cause multiple fatalities, injuries, long-term disability and expensive damage to cars. While single-vehicle accidents are responsible for more than half of motor vehicle fatalities, multi-vehicle accidents cause more passenger fatalities, overall injuries and costly damage.

Determining fault in a three-car – or more – highway accident can be complicated even though the action of one driver likely set it off. If others involved were speeding, following too close or distracted, they too may be found to have some fault.

Weather conditions can also play a part in multiple-vehicle collisions. Heavy rain, fog, ice and snow can cause cars to collide, rear-end each other and more. Drivers may still be found at fault even in horrific weather if they’re not driving safely enough for the conditions.

Who Decides Fault in a Three-Car Accident?

More than 94% of car accidents are caused by human error, usually by a driver, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Fault in a three-car accident is determined by insurance companies the same way it is in accidents involving any other number of vehicles. Insurance companies do an investigation, using police reports, interviews with those involved, reviewing medical records and state driving laws and more.

The general factors that determine fault are:

Drivers have a duty to be responsible, drive with caution and take reasonable measures to avoid accidents or injury to others. A driver not meeting that standard is negligent, and if the negligence caused the accident, then that constitutes fault.

While that may seem clear, deciding fault and how much compensation you may get isn’t always that simple.

Most states and Washington, D.C. are “at-fault” states, meaning the driver, or drivers, found at fault is responsible for paying damages, including medical bills and property damage, for the other drivers. Most of the at-fault states have some form of “comparative negligence,” which means drivers can argue that other drivers involved in the accident were partially at fault, and the cost may be split.

In the 12 no-fault states, each driver is responsible for their own damages, but drivers may find their insurance company is not compensating them fully because the insurer has determined fault on the driver’s part.

Factors that help determine fault are major driving violations, like speeding, driving under the influence and distracted driving.

But even smaller violations may affect how you are compensated, even if you’re not at fault or live in a no-fault state.

For instance, you may not have been the at-fault driver in a three-way collision, but also may have not been wearing a seatbelt in a state where it’s required by law. The insurance company may not compensate you fully for your injuries, because you were partially responsible by not wearing a seatbelt.

What to Do After a Three-Car Accident

No matter how the accident occurred, you can help your case at the scene by following these tips:

  • Don’t engage in discussions with other drivers or bystanders speculating on who was at fault
  • Exchange insurance and contact information with the other drivers
  • Call 911
  • Wait for police to arrive and give them a statement
  • Get a police report when one is available
  • Let your insurance company know about the accident as soon as possible
  • Get immediate medical help for any injuries.

Seek Legal Help

If you are in a three-car accident and believe you are not at fault, feel uncomfortable dealing with the insurance company or believe you are not being compensated properly, a personal injury attorney can help. An attorney isn’t only useful if you plan to file a lawsuit. Attorneys who specialize in accidents know the ins and outs of determining fault and how to deal with insurance companies.

Maureen Milliken

Maureen Milliken has a three-decade career as a journalist at daily newspapers and publications that focus on business and consumer finance. She covered several beats during her newspaper career, including local and state news, features on prominent public officials and several years running a sports department. She is a subject expert on topics that include consumer debt, consumer credit, labor issues, financial abuse, rural development, and legal matters resulting from accidents in the workplace and on the roads. She is adept at presenting complicated topics in an easy-to-read format that helps readers understand the topic's impact on their lives … and their pocketbooks!

Sources:

  1. N.A. (2021) 2019 Traffic Safety Facts: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data. Retrieved from https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813141
  2. N.A. (ND) Type of Crash. Retrieved from https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/type-of-crash
  3. N.A. (ND) Facts and Statistics: Auto Insurance. Retrieved from https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-auto-insurance
  4. Stewart, T. (2022, March) Overview of motor vehicle crashes in 2020 (Report No. DOT HS 813 266). Retrieved from https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813266