Multi-vehicle accidents, sometimes called car pileups, often involve a “domino effect” that comes after the first car hits the second car.
Dealing with a car accident between two vehicles is difficult enough, but a collision involving multiple cars gets much more complicated. For this reason, one of the best things to do after a multi-car accident is to contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney for guidance, advice, and representation throughout your case.
Always seek medical care immediately and, once your condition stabilizes, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a lawyer in your area.
Factors that Increase the Chances of Multi-Car Crashes
Multi-vehicle accidents happen for many of the same reasons as other car crashes, including distracted driving, driver fatigue, and improper turns and lane changes. However, several factors increase the likelihood of an accident involving more than one vehicle.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving entails a variety of dangerous driving behaviors that endanger or are likely to endanger other people and property.
Some of these behaviors include:
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Tailgating
- Break checking
- Cutting other drivers off
- Passing on the right
- Dodging in and out of traffic lanes
These and other risky actions can significantly contribute to an accident. Not only that, depending on how they collide with a vehicle, it can cause that driver’s vehicle to run in with more cars.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the worst aggressive driving behaviors. When a speeding driver collides with another vehicle, the crash's impact can cause extensive property damage and injury. The impact can also cause the original crash victim’s vehicle to hit other vehicles, resulting in a multi-car accident.
Additionally, speeding increases the chances of collisions because there is a greater potential for loss of control over the vehicle, increased stopping distance, and reduced effectiveness of vehicle protection equipment. In a recent year, speeding caused 29 percent of all traffic fatalities, killing thousands of individuals.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is similar to aggressive driving, but a driver’s actions are typically even more dangerous. Every state defines reckless driving differently, but it generally involves driving with wanton disregard for others' lives. Driving recklessly entails certain behaviors, including, but not limited to, racing, driving in the wrong direction, and evading law enforcement.
Along with being a serious traffic offense resulting in legal consequences, reckless driving can cause terrible accidents. Because a reckless driver puts everyone on the road with them at risk, this often means multi-vehicle accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
In every U.S. state, it is against the law to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Still, millions of intoxicated drivers take to the streets every year, creating significant risks to others on the road.
Consuming alcohol has negative impacts on the body, making it nearly impossible for a person to drive safely.
Among the many ways alcohol affects the mind and body, it:
- Impairs judgment
- Slows reflexes
- Reduces concentration
- Blurs vision
- Increases the chances of falling asleep at the wheel
Because of these effects, impaired drivers are more likely to engage in hazardous behaviors, including speeding. A drunk driver can cause multi-vehicle collisions that result in serious injuries to everyone involved.
Drunk driving accidents also often result in deaths, with an average of 37 people dying in collisions with intoxicated drivers every day.
Complications With Multi-Vehicle Collisions
Multi-car accident cases can be more challenging to navigate than collisions between two vehicles. This means these cases often require additional time and attention from a qualified accident attorney.
The Cause is Often Unknown
Driver negligence causes most accidents, but other factors may contribute to a multi-car pileup, including inclement weather, road hazards, and auto defects. An accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to determine the true cause of your collision.
Liability Can Be Challenging to Prove
Determining the cause of your accident is necessary to know who’s responsible. Based on the cause of your collision, you can identify who caused your injuries and property damage.
When driver negligence causes a collision, you must satisfy the elements of negligence.
You must show:
- The party owed you and other drivers a duty of care
- The party’s actions caused them to breach this duty
- The party’s actions were the cause of your accident
- You suffered damages as a result of your collision
When multiple parties cause your crash, you must show how each individual contributes to your accident. Your attorney can get evidence to substantiate your claims and prove each party’s liability.
Accidents Involving Several Vehicles Result in Greater Injuries and a Need for Compensation
When multiple cars are in an accident, more victims may suffer physical harm. This also means each victim requires medical treatment, which can cost a lot of money.
Whether one party alone causes a multi-car accident or more than one, each victim may need to fight to get the compensation they need to cover their injuries and losses. Insurance companies put up more of a fight, and you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to obtain a favorable financial recovery.
What to Do After a Multi-Car Accident
You may feel particularly confused and unsure of how to handle stressful and traumatic multi-vehicle collisions.
What you do after an accident can affect your future case and ability to pursue compensation. Discuss what to do and not do with an experienced car accident attorney. Until then, taking the following steps can protect your rights.
Report Your Collision to Law Enforcement
Every state has different rules regarding accident reporting, but always report multi-vehicle accidents to law enforcement. Call 911, inform the operator what’s occurred, and request police assistance. If you or anyone else suffered an injury, also ask for emergency medical services.
A police report can play a vital role in a multi-car collision case. Police reports contain beneficial information about the accident and the parties involved and can assist in answering the question of cause and liability.
Seek Medical Care
Regardless of whether you feel hurt or not, you should get medical care from a qualified healthcare provider. Because of how the body reacts to distressing situations, you may have suffered injuries you’re unaware of. Getting medical care right away can help avoid potential complications.
Additionally, medical records can prove your injuries and injury-related damages. Keeping up with your treatment can mean a greater chance of recovering fair compensation to cover your medical expenses.
Contact Your Auto Insurer
Car insurance companies want to know when their insured vehicle is in a collision. Therefore, as soon as you can, contact your auto insurer to report your accident. Give them details about your accident and follow any instructions they provide.
Consult a Local Car Accident Lawyer
Meeting with a lawyer who focuses on accident cases can clear up much of the confusion you may face after a multi-car accident. During your consultation, you’ll discuss your collision and get quality advice and guidance regarding your case and options.
What Is the Importance of Hiring an Attorney After a Multi-Vehicle Collision?
The following are only some ways a car accident lawyer can benefit your multi-car accident case and overall situation.
A Lawyer Can Better Explain Laws, Procedures, and Rights
An attorney can explain laws and procedures so you can better understand your rights as a car accident victim.
A Lawyer Can Evaluate Your Damages and Calculate the Value of Your Case
The primary objective of filing a claim is to pursue fair compensation for your accident injuries and financial burdens. A car accident lawyer will calculate your damages to determine how much your case is worth.
Without a lawyer, you may not know how to calculate the value of your claim. When you don’t know how much your claim is worth, you might settle for much less than you deserve.
A Lawyer Knows How to Communicate and Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. The insurance company may reach out to you early on in your case, but giving them too much information or complying with their requests may backfire. This is why it’s better to have your lawyer do it for you.
When you hire an attorney for your multi-car accident case, you don’t have to communicate with insurance companies for anything, even settlement negotiations. Everything goes through your lawyer, who has the finesse and patience to deal with insurers.
A Lawyer Can Act Promptly and Avoid Potential Issues With Your Case
Accident cases have an expiration date, meaning if you need to file a lawsuit, there’s only a small window of opportunity. Depending on your state, the statute of limitations will give you one to six years to file a lawsuit. While it may seem like plenty of time, time goes by quickly.
Failing to file your case within the prescribed time can end your right to pursue fair compensation. In addition to the statute of limitations, you may need to complete other case tasks within a certain timeframe.
Your lawyer will know what accident case timelines you must meet. They’re organized and efficient enough to avoid missing special dates and handle tasks skillfully.
A Lawyer Will Ensure Nobody Takes Advantage of You
Unfortunately, auto insurance companies are not on your side. Although they may try to make you think they have your best interests at heart, they do not. Car accident lawyers know this better than anyone else.
Insurance companies look for ways to take advantage of accident victims, especially if they don’t have legal representation. Among the many benefits of hiring an accident lawyer, you can rest assured your attorney will never let the insurance company or anyone else take advantage of you during your case.
After a Multi-Car Accident, Contact a Lawyer as Soon as Possible
If you’re in a collision with several vehicles, do not hesitate to consult an experienced car accident attorney.
Hiring an accident lawyer can give you the peace of mind you need after your car wreck. When you have legal representation, you also get the peace of mind and time to focus on what matters most, including your physical recovery.
Time is limited to take action for your case. Consult a local personal injury attorney to get started on your path to compensation. This can also relieve stress from your shoulders in a difficult time.