Multi-car accidents are among the most complex and dangerous types of traffic collisions. These crashes are more common on high-speed roadways like Interstate 80, which runs directly through Reno and Sparks. When a pileup occurs, it often involves multiple drivers, varying accounts of what happened, and serious injuries. In Nevada, determining fault in these accidents involves a legal principle known as comparative negligence.
If you have been involved in a multi-car accident on I-80 or another highway in Northern Nevada, it is important to understand how state law affects your ability to recover compensation. Below, we explain how comparative negligence works and why having an experienced car accident attorney on your side can make a significant difference.
What Is Comparative Negligence?
Comparative negligence is a legal rule used to determine fault and compensation in accidents involving more than one responsible party. In Nevada, this rule allows injured individuals to recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident, as long as they are not more at fault than the other parties combined.
This is sometimes called a "modified comparative negligence" rule. If you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you are not eligible to receive compensation. If you are 49 percent or less at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Example:
If you were in a multi-car crash on I-80 and the court determines you were 20 percent at fault, you could still recover compensation. However, your total award would be reduced by 20 percent.
Why Multi-Car Accidents Are So Complicated
Determining fault in a simple two-car accident can be challenging. In a multi-car pileup, the complexity increases significantly.
These crashes often involve:
Sudden chain reactions caused by high speeds or poor visibility
Drivers following too closely
Rear-end collisions that cause vehicles to crash into others ahead
Weather conditions that reduce traction or visibility
Commercial trucks or other large vehicles with longer stopping distances
With so many vehicles and drivers involved, determining fault can be difficult. Sometimes, multiple drivers are negligent at once; one might brake too late while another speeds or changes lanes aggressively. Insurance companies often dispute liability, making it critical to gather solid evidence and work with an experienced legal team.
How Comparative Negligence Applies to I-80 Crashes
I-80 is one of the busiest highways in Nevada, especially around Reno and Sparks. Due to traffic density and high speeds, accidents on this stretch of road can quickly escalate into multi-vehicle events. In the aftermath of an I-80 car accident, multiple insurance companies may conduct their own investigations, and each will try to minimize its own policyholder’s responsibility.
If you are partially blamed for a shared fault car accident in Nevada, you will need to prove that your level of responsibility is lower than the combined fault of the others involved. This often requires witness statements, accident reconstruction, traffic camera footage, and other forms of evidence.
What to Do After a Multi-Car Crash in Nevada
If you are involved in a multi-car accident on I-80 or another Nevada highway, follow these steps to protect yourself and your claim:
Call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement.
Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine.
Take photos or videos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries.
Collect contact and insurance information from all other drivers.
Avoid admitting fault or discussing the details of the crash with others at the scene.
Contact a Sparks or Reno highway accident attorney as soon as possible.
Work With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Because comparative negligence can reduce or eliminate your ability to recover damages, it is essential to work with a personal injury attorney who understands the details of Nevada law. At Law Offices of Steven J. Klearman & Associates, we have decades of experience representing victims of complex car accidents in Reno, Sparks, and throughout Northern Nevada.
We know how to investigate multi-car crashes, determine liability, and fight back against insurance companies that try to shift blame onto injured victims.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you were injured in a multi-car accident on I-80 or elsewhere in Nevada, you do not have to figure everything out on your own. Let us help you understand your options under Nevada’s comparative negligence law and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us online or call (775) 573-0229 today to schedule a consultation.