Car accidents often lead to serious injury or death. However, many accidents do not involve just two-vehicle, but several. These accidents tend to cause more serious injuries and are overall more catastrophic. With multiple car pileups or collisions, it is inherently more difficult to prove fault. If you were involved in a multiple car collision, the following will help you understand more about how fault is determined in these oftentimes severe accidents.
Factors to Determine Fault in Multiple Car Collisions
Proving fault is critical to determining which party, or parties, will be liable for any resulting injuries or property damage. Many insurance companies will attempt to immediately renounce any kind of guilt regarding their client.
With several parties attempting to exculpate themselves from liability, determining fault can become legally challenging. However, there are some factors that an independent investigation will use to determine fault when there are multiple-car collisions including the following:
- Were there any unsafe road conditions at the time of the accident? Potholes? Road construction? Bad weather conditions?
- Did any driver, or drivers, appear to violate any state or local traffic laws?
- Were any drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
- Did any car, or cars, rear-end any others? (While the car behind other cars can be held liable, there are often chain-reactions in multiple car collisions, or the last driver may not have been paying attention while texting and driving.)
- Were any drivers making a left-hand turn?
- What was the determination by the police officer in the accident report?
- Did the police officer issue any citations with respect to the accident?
- Was there any video footage from either stoplight cameras or businesses near the scene of the accident?
- What were the positions of the vehicles after they were fully stopped?
- Do any of the cars have a dash-cam or other recording device?
- What was the extent and nature of the damage of all cars?
Expert Witnesses
Oftentimes, multiple car accidents require the evaluation of an accident reconstruction expert. Many experienced personal injury attorneys will be able to have access to an accident reconstruction expert who can better determine through forensic evidence and experience which driver, or drivers, were at fault for the accident.
In some cases, even the local or state government may be at fault for failing to install or maintain appropriate or properly functioning traffic signs, or a public agency may be at fault for failing to clear obstacles from the roadways following a construction project.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If you were involved in a multiple-car collision, getting the help of a car accident attorney will ensure that your legal rights are protected, and the proper parties are held responsible for your injuries.
Our legal team at the Ward Law Firm can conduct an independent investigation of the accident and help determine which parties are responsible so that you can obtain the just compensation you are entitled to for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Ward Law Firm is here to be your advocate. Contact us at 916-496-3899 to schedule a consultation.