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(253) 272-5226Injured people are often surprised to learn that more than one person or company might be responsible for what happened. It can also be surprising to find out that you may be able to file more than one claim. Washington is a pure comparative negligence state (RCW 4.22.005), which means more than one party can share fault for the same incident.
This doesn’t mean you’re suing everyone. It means you’re making sure every responsible insurance policy is considered. This matters when you’re facing a serious injury, high medical bills, and missed time from work.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at situations where more than one party may be at fault. We’ll also explain why these claims can get complicated and how an injury lawyer can help you sort through it at no upfront cost.
Every injury case starts with one basic question: “Who is at fault?”
In Washington, the person who causes someone else’s injury, even by accident, is responsible for paying for the harm they caused. As mentioned earlier, Washington uses pure comparative fault. This means more than one person can share responsibility, and each one pays their portion.
Sometimes it is obvious who is at fault. Other times, it is not clear at all. In those cases, evidence like witness statements, video footage, photos of the damage, police reports, and medical records can help show what really happened.
Injuries often happen because several choices, people, or conditions line up at the wrong time. Sometimes the second or even third responsible party is not obvious until an investigation begins.
This is why bringing in an experienced personal injury lawyer early can be important. They look beyond the obvious at-fault party and spot hidden factors or insurance policies that could help you recover more.
It is natural to wonder what multiple claims could mean for your compensation. This is an important question if you have been hurt.
Serious injuries often lead to many expenses, including:
Sometimes one insurance payout will not cover all these costs. But multiple policies together might. A lawyer can help you understand your total losses and identify every possible path to recovery.
Every situation is different. While we cannot list every scenario, here are some of the most common situations where more than one party may be responsible for the same injury.
Washington has dram shop laws that can hold bars and restaurants responsible for overserving alcohol. If a drunk driver injures you, it may be possible to file claims against both the driver and the establishment that continued serving them when they should have cut them off.
Drivers who are working at the time of a crash, such as Amazon, UPS, Uber, and other delivery or service drivers, may make both themselves and their employer responsible. In some cases, a third party may also be involved. For example, if poor vehicle maintenance contributed to the crash and a contractor was responsible for that maintenance, their insurance may come into play as well.
Some injuries happen because several safety failures all come together. For example, a landlord fails to fix a broken gate, which allows a dog to escape and injure someone. Or a business ignores a pothole in its parking lot while a contractor creates a temporary hazard nearby. Each party may share responsibility, and you may be able to pursue separate claims for the same incident.
A defective product can make an injury much worse. For example, a driver runs a red light and hits your car. That driver is clearly at fault. But if your airbag fails to deploy because it was defective, you may also have a valid claim against the manufacturer. The defect did not cause the crash, but it contributed to the severity of your injuries.
Medical malpractice cases often involve more than one party. A surgeon, nurse, anesthesiologist, or the hospital itself may all play a role in what happened. In these cases, it is common to pursue claims against several providers or entities at once.
Managing several claims at once can get complicated very quickly. Here are a few reasons why:
This is overwhelming for anyone. It can feel even harder for injured people and their families who are also dealing with medical treatment, bills, and missed time from work.
If you were injured and are not sure who is at fault, or you think more than one party may be responsible, it is time to talk with a lawyer.
Here is how a lawyer can help:
Most personal injury lawyers, including Ladenburg Law, do not charge upfront fees. We only get paid if we recover a settlement for you. This means there is no added financial pressure to reach out. Instead, you get peace of mind while we handle the legal work so you can focus on your recovery.
If you are unsure who may be at fault for your injury, we are here to guide you. Our injury attorneys offer free and confidential consultations, with no obligation to move forward. This is simply your chance to understand your options.
To get started, call us at 253.272.5226 or fill out the short form on our website.