San Bernardino
Multiple Parties Accident Lawyer
Reviewed by Randall S. Schiavone, Founding Attorney — September 2026.
For accidents involving a single at-fault driver, visit our San Bernardino car accident lawyer page.
San Bernardino Multiple Parties Accident Attorney
When multiple parties are responsible for an accident, many unique and complicated issues arise.
The attorneys at Kampf, Schiavone & Associates understand the insurance, liability and legal issues that complicate these types of cases. We can help you seek maximum compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries and suffering caused by the multiple parties accident.
San Bernardino Accident Attorneys Holding Multiple Parties Responsible
It is quite common for more than one party to be responsible in causing a serious accident.
Multiple vehicle car accidents are a common example. Two or more drivers may each be partially responsible for an accident.
Multiple parties may be responsible in a construction accident: A subcontractor may have made a mistake, an engineer may have given incorrect instructions and a product manufacturer may have designed a defective product. Each of these could contribute to an accident.
We represent people who have been injured in accidents involving multiple defendants in:
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Car accidents
- Product liability accidents
- Truck accidents
- Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Since these cases tend to be complex and multifaceted, it is important to get in touch with an attorney in San Bernardino as soon as possible.
Get Answers from an Experienced Multiple-Party Accident Lawyer Today: Contact Us
If you have questions about pursuing compensation after an accident, schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys by calling 909-885-1522. You can also complete our online contact form, and someone from our office will get in touch with you.
How Is Liability Divided Among Multiple Defendants in California?
California divides liability differently depending on the type of damages involved. Under Civil Code section 1431.2, also known as Proposition 51, multiple defendants remain jointly and severally liable for economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, meaning you can recover the full amount from any single defendant, who can then seek contribution from the others. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, work differently: each defendant is only severally liable, meaning they only pay in direct proportion to their own percentage of fault, not the full amount.
If you share some responsibility for the accident yourself, California’s pure comparative negligence rule still allows you to recover compensation, reduced by your own percentage of fault. This rule comes from Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804, in which the California Supreme Court held that shared fault reduces, rather than bars, an injured person’s recovery.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Multiple Parties Accident Case?
Depending on the type of underlying accident, victims may be entitled to:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one was killed in the accident
Frequently Asked Questions
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If there are multiple defendants, can I collect my full compensation from just one of them?
For economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, yes, California law lets you recover the full amount from any single defendant. For non-economic damages like pain and suffering, each defendant only pays their proportional share of fault, under Civil Code section 1431.2 (Proposition 51).
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What if I was partly at fault for the accident myself?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you're not barred from a claim unless you're found 100 percent responsible.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you're not barred from a claim unless you're found 100 percent responsible.
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How do you determine which parties are responsible in a multi-defendant case?
Our attorneys investigate the accident to identify every party whose negligence contributed to your injuries, which may include multiple drivers, contractors, manufacturers, or other parties, and gather the evidence needed to establish each party's share of fault.
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How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a multi-party accident case?
Kampf, Schiavone & Associates handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees or hourly rates. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, and you owe nothing if we don't win your case.