Many drivers are aware of the dangers of a motor vehicle accident, as striking another car directly can cause severe injuries and expose them to life-altering health consequences. However, one of the most dangerous traumatic events someone can experience is a multi-vehicle accident.
These types of accidents involving more than two vehicles normally result from a negligent driver who causes an accident with a chain reaction. The car they strike can strike another car from the force of the accident, causing a domino effect resulting in multiple collisions.
Any party involved in a multi-vehicle collision whose negligence caused a crash can be held liable for damages in a car accident claim. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer today to learn about your options for holding the at-fault parties accountable for damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Dangers of a Multi-Vehicle Collision
Car accidents between two cars are dangerous enough without adding multiple other vehicles into the equation. The most dangerous type of accident that can occur on the road is a multi-vehicle accident, as car accident victims can receive direct trauma from multiple vehicles.
Multi-vehicle accidents commonly begin because of a rear-end accident. The force of a high-speed rear-end accident can result in the car that was hit striking other cars in front of them. This can cause a domino effect, leading to a multi-vehicle collision.
This type of traumatic accident can expose victims to blunt-force trauma. Cars and trucks can also flip over, causing a pile-up accident that can result in a crushing impact. Some common multi-vehicle accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, and spinal cord injuries.
Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Collisions
Much like car accidents involving two drivers, a multi-vehicle collision normally results from negligent or reckless driving. A driver who breaks road rules can expose other drivers to severe injury risk and begin the chain reaction for a multi-vehicle collision with a catastrophic impact.
The following are common causes of multi-vehicle accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Road rage
- Drowsy driving
- Not using turn signals
- Running red lights
- Tailgating
- Failing to observe the right of way
Multi-vehicle accidents can also result from defective car parts. When a vehicle’s essential parts fail to work properly, the driver can lose control of their vehicle and cause a car accident that begins a chain reaction causing a multi-vehicle accident. Poor road conditions, a lack of traffic control signals, and adverse weather conditions can also cause these types of accidents.
The Party Who Caused the Initial Accident Can Be Held Liable
Whoever causes the initial car accident that begins the multi-vehicle collisions can be held liable in a car accident claim. Liability for auto accidents requires an at-fault party whose negligence caused the accident. They breached the duty of care they owed someone else and exposed the victim to car accident damages.
In the case of a multi-vehicle collision, the at-fault party will likely be the initial driver who caused the accident that set off the chain reaction. Their reckless driving caused the collision that brought all of the other cars into the multi-vehicle collision.
Car part manufacturers, designers, sellers, and distributors can also be held liable if they were responsible for a defective car part that caused the accident. In certain circumstances, an employer can be held vicariously liable for an employee who causes a car accident while completing a work task.
Can Multiple Parties Be Held Liable for a Multi-Vehicle Collision?
In a multi-vehicle collision, it’s possible for there to be more than one at-fault party. If more than one party’s negligence caused the multi-vehicle collision, they can all share liability in a car accident claim.
For example, let’s say a multi-vehicle collision occurs at an intersection. One party ran a red light and crashed into a car driving through the intersection. Another driver who was distracted crashed into the accident, which led to the domino effect causing the multi-vehicle collision.
In this case, the driver who ran the red light and the distracted driver both share liability. Most states operate under comparative fault, which assigns liability based on how much the at-fault party contributed to the accident. In this case, both negligent drivers could share 50% of the fault for the multi-vehicle collision.
Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer After a Multi-Vehicle Collision
Following a car accident, victims can experience financial losses tied to their physical and mental health. Some damages they can suffer include medical bills, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering.
They can file a car accident claim with the at-fault parties’ insurance companies to pursue compensation for car accident damages. However, handling the claim process alone can prove difficult, especially with an insurance company trying to deny, delay, or devalue your claim.
Car accident victims who suffered multi-vehicle accidents should hire a car accident lawyer. They can help sort through the potentially complicated liability and determine what your best path is for pursuing fair compensation for damages.
The following are some ways a car accident lawyer can help after a multi-vehicle collision:
- Calculate the full cost of your car accident damages
- Determine which parties can be held liable for damages
- Explain car accident laws in your state that can affect your claim
- Collect evidence to prove liability
- Negotiate a settlement with the liable party’s insurance provider
- Represent you in court
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Multi-Vehicle Collision Claim
At The Russo Firm, our car accident attorneys can help you with your multi-vehicle collision accident claims. We understand the physical and financial impact of severe car accident injuries caused by multi-vehicle accidents and wish to help you recover compensation for damages.
Our car accident lawyers offer free consultations to show potential clients how we can help them recover compensation for damages from each at-fault party in a multi-vehicle accident claim. Contact us for a free multi-vehicle collision case evaluation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
