Can a Car Accident Require Multiple Insurance Claims?

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Can a Car Accident Require Multiple Insurance Claims?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Car accident claims can be confusing, especially if you might need to file more than one insurance claim. Knowing what types of insurance claims you can file against which policies is an essential part of the recovery process after an accident. An experienced attorney can help you in this process.

You’re involved in a car accident and suffer moderate injuries and property damage. You report the accident to your auto insurance company and file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. You wait to be compensated for your injuries and damages. It should be that simple. Except, it’s not, especially if there are multiple parties involved in your car accident. 

Not every car crash has one at-fault driver and another victim driver. In fact, many accidents involve multiple parties, which can mean you need to file multiple insurance claims to obtain the full compensation you deserve for your losses. Since car accident claims are rarely simple, it’s best to hire a skilled Chicago car accident lawyer to represent you throughout the claim process. Several situations might require multiple insurance claims after a car accident.

Multiple At-Fault Parties 

Some car accidents involve varying degrees of fault from multiple parties. In these cases, injured parties can file claims against each one. When it comes time for your Chicago car accident attorney to negotiate a settlement, they can negotiate with each one. Suppose a settlement can’t be reached and your case ends up in litigation. In that case, the court can apportion a degree of fault to each liable party, and they will pay your damages according to their degree of fault. For example, if you were awarded $100,000 damages, a party who was 30 percent liable would pay $30,000 of your damages. The party who was 70% at fault would pay $70,000.

Parties that could be at fault for your accident include:

1. Multiple other motorists
2. The manufacturer of a vehicle or its parts
3. An employer
4. A commercial company, such as a bus or delivery service
5. A municipality

An experienced Chicago car accident attorney can perform an investigation to determine who might be to blame for your accident and hold those parties accountable.

Driving in the Course of Employment

Suppose you were driving a company vehicle or driving as a part of your job duties when the accident occurred. In that case, you could have multiple insurance claims. You might be able to file a workers’ compensation claim for your injuries since you were acting in the scope of your job. You can also file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company. By consulting with a knowledgeable Chicago car accident lawyer, you can determine your best course of action. Keep in mind that workers’ compensation doesn’t pay for any pain or suffering you may experience.

Seek the Advice of a Knowledgeable Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today

After a car accident, it’s not safe to assume you can only file one insurance claim. You could have several available avenues for compensation. Meeting with a Chicago car accident attorney can help determine what these avenues might be and help get your claim started. Call the skilled car accident attorneys at Malman Law today to schedule a no-obligation car accident case review. Call (312) 629-0099 or use our online contact form.