multi car accident: who's responsible for what?

[Inevitability]

Hi myBB,
A relative of mine (in car_A) was recently in a car accident... he was hit from behind by a car (car_B) that tried to move from the extreme right lane to the extreme left. In doing so, car_B was hit by car_C who was already occupying the middle lane, thus causing the aforemntioned collision between car_A and car_B.

Clear as mud!

Ok... so assuming nobody is insured, the question is : who must my relative hold responsible for damages, according to law?

 

[supersunbird]

car_B

But the driver of car_A should ideally have insurance and let them sort it out.

 

[ColonelJAck]

car_B

But the driver of car_A should ideally have insurance and let them sort it out.

Yep. This seems reasonable.

 

[MKFrost]

Agree, one for the insurance.

AFAIK however, car_B will be responsible for the damage to car_A, is it not 'always' accepted that the car in the back takes the blame should there be an accident?

In regards to the blame between cars B and C, not so sure as it can go both ways.

 

[qdada]

I do not follow.

If Car C was already in the middle lane as Car B moves from extreme right to extreme left, how is car C the one hitting car B. Seems to me it is Car C was minding its business in the middle lane and it is Car B that did the hitting of Car C ?

 

[MickeyD]

car_B

 

[MKFrost]

I do not follow.

If Car C was already in the middle lane as Car B moves from extreme right to extreme left, how is car C the one hitting car B. Seems to me it is Car C was minding its business in the middle lane and it is Car B that did the hitting of Car C ?

B most probably cut in front of C to get behind A and was nudged by C all the way into A

 

[supersunbird]

I do not follow.

If Car C was already in the middle lane as Car B moves from extreme right to extreme left, how is car C the one hitting car B. Seems to me it is Car C was minding its business in the middle lane and it is Car B that did the hitting of Car C ?

Yes, I my minds eye, if I am picturing it as described, car B probably hit car A and C due to erratic driving...

Car B driver should be taught how to read sign about upcoming off-ramps.

 

[qdada]

B most probably cut in front of C to get behind A and was nudged by C all the way into A

Makes sense.

 

[ColonelJAck]

B most probably cut in front of C to get behind A and was nudged by C all the way into A

This is how I visualised the event.

 

[Grubscrew]

If none of them have insurance, they should be taken to the side of the road and shot.

 

[ponder]

Whoever hit A (B in this case) is responsible, C in turn will be responsible for B. Let the insurance sort it out.