The Challenges of Proving Fault in Motorcycle Accidents Involving Multiple Vehicles

A motorcycle ride on the open road can be thrilling, but a collision can alter your life in a heartbeat. However, when a motorcycle collision involves more than one other vehicle, determining responsibility is often a significant challenge.  

At Denning Law Firm, LLC, we understand the difficulties injured motorcyclists face. Our team, led by William Denning and his daughter Peaeton Denning, provides comprehensive legal representation following a motorcycle accident. If you were injured in a multi-vehicle collision, our attorneys can help you understand how to gather evidence, build a strong case, and pursue the compensation you need. 

Located in Overland Park, Kansas, we serve clients throughout the Kansas City metro area in both Kansas and Missouri. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost case review.

Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents

While every crash is unique, many multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles stem from common driver errors. These acts of negligence can set off a dangerous chain reaction. The more common causes of multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents include the following:

• Unsafe lane changes: A driver failing to check their blind spot before merging can often lead to devastating motorcycle accidents. 

• Following too closely: Tailgating reduces a driver's reaction time, making it impossible to stop if the vehicle ahead—or your motorcycle—brakes suddenly. 

• Distracted driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or adjusting the radio takes a driver's attention off the road, which can increase the likelihood of a collision.

• Speeding: Excessive speed makes it harder to stop and increases the severity of an impact. 

• Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drugs impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making a driver a danger to everyone on the road. 

Identifying these behaviors is the first step in assigning fault. At Denning Law Firm, LLC, we are committed to investigating your case to determine which driver was primarily at fault for the collision that caused your injuries. 

Why Proving Fault Is Challenging in Multi-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes

A typical two-car accident is often straightforward. Police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence typically indicate whether one driver is primarily at fault. However, when a motorcycle and several cars are involved, the situation is frequently more complex. 

Picture this: a car abruptly changes lanes on the highway, clipping your motorcycle. You lose control, and as you go down, the car behind you doesn't have enough time to stop, hitting your bike again. Another vehicle swerves to avoid the initial crash, only to collide with a fourth car. Who is to blame? Is it the first driver who made the unsafe lane change? Is the driver behind you partially at fault for following too closely? What about the other drivers who reacted to the chaos? 

This chain reaction creates a liability puzzle. Insurance companies for each driver will rush to protect their own clients, often pointing fingers at the others, especially the motorcyclist. They might use unfair biases against you, claiming you were speeding, weaving through traffic, or were otherwise reckless. Proving what really happened requires a detailed investigation to piece together the sequence of events and assign responsibility accurately. 

The Importance of Strong Evidence

In any personal injury claim, evidence is key. In a multi-vehicle motorcycle accident, it is the foundation of your entire case. Memories can fade, and stories can change. Therefore, it's important to gather physical and objective evidence as soon as possible. The types of evidence you should collect following a multi-vehicle motorcycle accident include the following:

• Police reports: While not always perfect, the official accident report provides the responding officer's initial assessment of the scene, diagrams, and citations issued. 

• Photos and videos: Pictures of the accident scene from multiple angles, vehicle damage, skid marks, and your injuries are powerful tools. Dashcam or surveillance footage can be even better, providing a clear, unbiased view of the incident as it unfolded. 

• Witness statements: Independent witnesses who saw the crash can offer testimony that cuts through the conflicting stories of the drivers involved. We can help you contact these individuals quickly to get their account of what happened. 

• Accident reconstruction: In some cases, we may bring in an accident reconstruction specialist. These professionals use physics, engineering, and evidence from the scene to develop a scientific model that shows how the collision occurred, step by step. This can be very persuasive in demonstrating another party’s fault. 

Without a comprehensive collection of evidence, you will typically be left with a "he said, she said" situation in which the insurance companies hold the decision-making power.

Missouri Fault & Liability Laws

If your accident occurred in Missouri, your case will be governed by the state’s pure comparative fault rule. This standard is important for motorcyclists, especially in multi-vehicle crashes, where they may be assigned a small percentage of the blame. 

Under pure comparative fault, you can recover damages even if you are found partially responsible for the accident. For example, if you are deemed 10% at fault for the crash and your total damages amount to $100,000, your final compensation award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. In this case, you would receive $90,000. 

This system enables a fair distribution of responsibilities among all parties involved. If three other drivers contributed to the accident, each could be assigned a percentage of the total fault. This prevents a single driver from shouldering all the blame when others were also negligent. It also means you are not barred from recovering compensation because an insurance company argues that you bear some responsibility. 

Kansas Fault & Liability Laws

If the accident occurred in Kansas, the state's modified comparative fault rule will apply. This system is less forgiving than Missouri's. Under Kansas law, you can only recover damages if your percentage of fault is less than 50%. If you are found to be 50% or more responsible for the accident, you are barred from receiving any compensation at all. If your fault is determined to be 49% or less, your recovery is reduced by that percentage, similar to Missouri's system. 

This 50% bar makes it extremely important to fight back against any attempt by insurance companies to shift blame onto you. In a multi-vehicle pile-up, insurers will work hard to push your portion of the fault to that 50% threshold to avoid paying your claim. An experienced attorney can help you protect your right to compensation and show that the other drivers were the primary cause of your injuries. 

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Serving Missouri and Kansas Today

If you have been injured in a multi-vehicle accident as a motorcyclist, our attorneys at Denning Law Firm, LLC are ready to rise to any challenge and do not take the easy way out. If you are seeking fearless representation committed to making your voice heard, we can help.

Located in Overland Park, Kansas, we serve clients throughout the Kansas City metro area in both Kansas and Missouri. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost review of your case. We are prepared to do everything in our power to advocate for you in the face of adversity and uphold your rights.