All it takes is three cars to have a multi-vehicle accident. Whether it’s one collision or a series of crashes, when cars start piling up, it’s pretty substantial. It’s also a more challenging situation, especially when compared to a one-on-one crash, because it’s hard to determine fault. Often, fault is assigned to more than one driver, which makes it essential you document the accident fully and have proper support to fight for your rights after the fact.
Typical causes of multi-vehicle crashes
The majority of accidents involving multiple cars happen for two reasons — the weather and human error. Slick roads from rain and snow can easily cause a pile up with more than one car to slip into the one in front of them. Storms that make it harder to see can also play a part in causing a multi-vehicle accident.
Human error though can create a variety of situations that increase the risk of an accident with multiple cars, including:
- Distracted driving
- Following too closely behind
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
Even time of day can play a part in the likelihood of getting into a multi-car accident. Evening is statistically the least safe time to drive because of the number of cars on the road (think rush hour) as well as the decrease in visibility as it gets dark.
Types of multi-car accidents
Although you may have a standard picture of a rear-end collision pileup as the only type of multi-car accident, they can happen in other ways. This is a pretty common scenario, but multiple cars can be involved in head-on and side-impact collisions as well. All it takes is a driver to ignore a stop sign or a yield sign or to not look carefully enough when changing lanes or making a turn. Add conditions such as a busy road, or one with multiple lanes of traffic, and multi-vehicle accidents can happen in any number of ways.
Establishing fault in a multi-vehicle accident
Like with any car accident, fault is established using evidence collected on the scene by the police and afterward by insurance. What’s different though is a multi-vehicle crash means multiple insurance companies get involved and there’s more negotiation. It’s a more complex process for sure, but fault plays an essential role in how compensation is dispersed, even though it’s not always assigned to a single person. Often, partial fault gets distributed across some or even all the drivers involved. If you end up being assigned partial fault that’s under 50%, you may only be entitled to reduced damages. If your fault is over 50%, you might not get any compensation at all.
With partial fault, insurance companies are more likely to dispute the percentage assigned to their driver. Having a skilled lawyer in your corner to protect you in this case is imperative.
There’s also a chance that nobody gets assigned fault in a multi-car accident. This is only determined after an investigation, but if say the weather ends up being the cause, it will be up to your own insurance company to compensate you for the damage to your car and any personal injury you received. This is also an ideal situation to have an attorney supporting your best interests to protect you from a too-low settlement offer from the insurance company.
What happens in a rear-end pile up
Two factors play a part in establishing who is at fault in a multi-car rear-end accident. This is where one car rear ends another and before they can get out of the way, other cars rear end the car in front of them. This type of pile up involves a lot of people, and usually leads to partial fault being assigned to multiple drivers.
First, the initial crash is investigated. Typically the car who did the rear ending in that collision is at fault. However, what caused other cars to pile on and create a chain reaction? Was someone speeding? Was someone not paying attention to the road? Did limited visibility prevent a driver from seeing the accident up ahead? A lot of questions can be raised that impact how fault for the subsequent accidents is assigned.
Protecting yourself after a multi-car collision
Whether you think you might be at fault or not, treat a multi-vehicle crash like any other and collect evidence yourself. Make sure you take plenty of pictures once it’s safe to get out of your car. Gather as much information from the other drivers involved that you can, including contact information. You may want to reach out afterward to follow up. Make sure the evidence you collect gets to your insurance company as well as your legal representation.
As you go through the stress of a car accident’s aftermath, remember there is one good thing about a multi-car crash. With more insurance companies involved, it can be easier to get the total compensation you deserve. Especially if more than one car is at fault, you’ll be able to collect from each insurance company, allowing you access to funds even if one driver’s policy maxes out what they can pay.
Getting the right kind of legal help
The time right after a multi-car accident is usually very confusing. With more people and more insurance companies involved, it can be challenging to see your way through the process. Know that you don’t have to go it alone. Rely on the expertise of the team at Watson Injury Law to guide you and fight for the compensation you deserve. With a free consultation, we’ll create a customized plan for you, taking on the stress of talking to insurance companies so you can focus on getting better. Contact us today to learn more.