How May My Accident Claim Differ if Numerous Vehicles are Involved?
Any vehicle accident you have can result in serious injuries or even death. However, in Ohio and most states, multi-vehicle accidents commonly have higher rates and more severe injuries. This is mainly because they frequently occur on major highways where vehicles go at incredible speeds and possibly close together.
Accordingly, proving liability can also be significantly more challenging to assess in multi-vehicle accidents; this makes suing and recovering compensation for your injuries more difficult.
That said, if you’ve been involved and seriously injured or a loved one suffered a wrongful death in a multi-car crash, then litigating and determining fault can be daunting, and you must have the knowledgeable legal guidance and help of a skilled and experienced car accident lawyer who has the history and resources to investigate and litigate these types of cases fully.
Commonly, when your case is investigated, every driver has a different version of events, and no one wants to admit fault. Also, accident or insurance investigators and law enforcement will take a long time to examine the pileup scene in detail before beginning to assign blame.
The amount of evidence collected in these cases can be enormous. The evidence can include eyewitness accounts, police reports, photographs, available video footage, and information from actual “crash reconstruction specialists.” The fault will be appropriately placed only by reconstructing how the pileup happened in painstaking detail.
This is the primary difference between “regular accidents” and multi-car accidents. Your personal injury lawyer must have the background and experience to analyze and fully follow all the mountains of combined evidence.
The professionality, knowledge, and tenacity of your skilled Mentor car accident lawyer will be invaluable in helping to ensure your rights are upheld and you receive the total compensation you rightfully need to recover and move on successfully from one of these horrific events.
I Was Injured in A Multi-Car Accident; Is It Possible No One’s at Fault?
There are times when multi-vehicle accidents “just happen,” but most commonly, that is not the case. If an animal jumps into traffic or you suddenly experience white-out conditions, you may have an accident, no matter how careful you are. However, in most accidents, at least one driver’s negligence begins the pile-up (often more than one).
This is why you must have a Mentor car accident lawyer who is well-versed in investigating multi-car accidents. There are many ways a negligent driver may cause these devastating incidents, such as;
- Driving while distracted – The driver is distracted and doesn’t see vehicles stopped or an accident ahead. So, there is no time to change lanes or avoid colliding with other cars.
- Following you too closely or “tailgating” – If you’re being followed too closely, the driver behind you would be unable to stop or turn to avoid hitting you. High highway speeds usually result in a “domino effect,” and numerous vehicles pile on.
- Speeding – Some drivers speed or drive too fast for current weather conditions and cannot evade a collision that occurs in their path. This is a common cause when visibility is low due to heavy rain, fog, or snow.
So, in most cases, there are reasons for multi-car accidents, and using a thorough, detail-oriented, and experienced car accident lawyer is mandatory to receive the total compensation you are due.
Multi-Car Accidents Are Complex; So How Does My Lawyer Determine Fault?
Emotions can be extremely high after a multi-car accident; Drivers point fingers at each other, make accusations, and attempt to point out blame. However, if you’re a victim and need compensation, fault must be proven that points to careless conduct that amounts to negligence.
Just some of the ways your lawyer may prove fault are;
- Using official police reports – This document is a significant factor in determining fault for the insurance companies and more. The authorities are usually the first on the scene, impartial, and trained to analyze and give a solid, reasonable account of what occurred.
- Analyzing the damage to all the vehicles – Carefully analyzing the damage to the vehicles usually results in a trail of evidence that points to the initial cause of the pile-up. For example, if you’re hit from behind, the driver who hits you is usually always at fault. Additionally, a driver turning left across traffic lanes is commonly at fault. If the turn is unsafe, the driver should not attempt it; if they do turn and cause a collision, this is widely considered negligence.
These are just a few of the ways in which fault can be proven. Still, your diligent, experienced multi-car accident lawyer will work tirelessly to establish what occurred and obtain the compensation you need and deserve.
Can a Third-Party Cause and Be Liable for a Multi-Car Accident?
Usually, one or more drivers will be responsible for a multi-vehicle accident.
But yes, in singular cases, third-party non-drivers could share or be wholly responsible.
Some examples of these instances include;
- Whoever designed or maintained the roadway – If faulty road design contributed to the crash, such as an unmarked blind curve that prevented you from seeing stopped traffic or an accident up ahead.
- Road maintenance crews working with inadequate signage or warning – Work crews didn’t provide adequate warning or preventative signage, which led to a pile-up.
- A manufacturer of a faulty vehicle component – For example, a faulty automatic braking system that engages without reason or fails to operate correctly on the interstate. This could lead to a chain reaction of rear-end collisions.
Many road conditions could have contributed to or caused your multi-car accident, and your Mentor car accident lawyer will always look for hazards and thoroughly investigate the scene.
I’ve Been in a Multi-Vehicle Accident and Injured; How Should I Proceed?
Multi-vehicle accidents in Ohio always present unique legal challenges when providing fault and assessing liability. In these harrowing cases, having a knowledgeable, experienced, multi-vehicle accident lawyer on your side is always prudent and wise.
The Mentor-based Piscitelli Law Firm has a long and successful history of representing Ohio residents in car and multi-vehicle accidents. They will provide you with the personal, tireless legal help you need now in your and your family’s lives.
Call them today at (216) 820-9832 for a free case evaluation. They will protect your rights and do whatever is necessary to pursue the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
