Liability Question in Florida
I was involved in an accident where the car in front of me failed to stop and collided with another vehicle. As a result, my car struck the car that triggered the accident.
The driver who caused the incident was uninsured and illegally in the country. They fled the scene, hitting both my car and the first car multiple times in their attempt to escape.
Recently, I learned from my insurance company that the driver of the first car, who had been stopped, has filed a claim against me.
How can I possibly be liable when I never made contact with her vehicle?
The uninsured driver was responsible for hitting her car, and I only struck the uninsured motorist.
I’ve just forwarded a copy of the police report, which supports my account, to my insurance company. Both the report and the account from the woman who was initially hit by the uninsured driver completely align with my version of events.
Am I liable in any way?
I’m not a lawyer, but I can provide some general information that may be helpful in your situation. In Florida, liability can be complex, particularly in multi-car accidents. It is important to remember that insurance claims are often influenced by various factors, including the specifics of the incident and the insurance policies involved.
In your case, since the initial at-fault driver was uninsured and fled the scene, it seems that their actions directly led to the accident. If the police report and witness statements support your account, this may strengthen your position in the claim process.
However, it’s important to note that in Florida, which follows a “comparative negligence” system, liability can be apportioned among parties involved in an accident. This means that even if you did not directly hit the first car, the other driver’s actions may still have some influence on whether any liability is assigned to you.
It’s good that you’ve already provided the police report to your insurance company, as that can help clarify the events. If your insurance company is handling the claim, they will investigate and determine liability based on the evidence provided. Additionally, you may want to consider speaking with an attorney who specializes in car accident or insurance claims to get personalized legal advice and protect your interests.
Make sure to keep all of your documentation in order and remain in communication with your insurance company throughout the process.