Multi-vehicle car accidents can be life-threatening and cause devastating injuries or even death. Figuring out who is responsible for the accident is crucial if you hope to recover the compensation you are entitled to receive. Unfortunately, these claims can be far more complex than you might have expected.
The first driver to crash into another driver is not necessarily responsible for causing the crash. You may require the legal guidance and support of an experienced Oklahoma car accident attorney to investigate the cause of the collision and reveal the identities of anyone and everyone who may share blame for your damages.
How Multi-Vehicle Car Accidents Happen
Multi-vehicle car accidents can happen in a number of ways. For example, if a motorist is driving their vehicle unsafely by speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or any other type of unsafe driving practices, they may be at an increased risk of causing a multi-vehicle pile-up. However, negligent drivers are not the only cause of multi-vehicle car crashes.
Multi-vehicle accidents can also happen due to dangerous weather conditions. When there is heavy rain, snow, or other hazardous weather, it can impact a driver’s visibility, making it difficult or impossible for them to avoid crashing. Other times, multi-vehicle car accidents happen due to dangerous road conditions, such as unsecured road construction zones or defective or malfunctioning motor vehicle parts.
Your multi-vehicle car accident attorney will need to carefully evaluate the cause of your collision so we can determine who is at fault and ensure they are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law for their negligent or reckless actions.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYPotentially Liable Parties in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident
Figuring out who is responsible for causing the multi-vehicle car accident is crucial. Oklahoma is a fault state, so the liable party will be expected to cover the costs of the injury victims. Most often, when irresponsible driving causes multi-vehicle pile-ups, the negligent driver will be held accountable for the victim’s injuries. However, as previously mentioned, not all multi-vehicle car accidents are caused by unsafe driving.
Suing the Government
When hazardous road conditions cause faulty vehicle car accidents, several parties could share the blame. For example, if unsecured road work causes your collision, the government agencies and municipalities responsible for road integrity and maintenance would be at fault. These parties could include:
- The Oklahoma Department of Transportation
- Individual municipalities
- Government-contracted road construction workers
- Government-contractors and subcontractors
- Government safety inspectors
Suing a Manufacturer
There is also a possibility your multi-vehicle car accident was caused by malfunctioning or defective parts. When this happens, the driver that started the motor vehicle collision may not have been able to prevent the crash due to a part defect. Some of the parties that could share liability for a multi-vehicle car accident caused by malfunctioning auto parts include:
- Vehicle parts designers and manufacturers
- Vehicle parts distributors, retailers, and suppliers
- Auto maintenance workers
- Motor vehicle dealerships and executives
- Motor vehicle safety inspectors
How to Determine Fault
To determine who is at fault for your multi-vehicle car accident, your attorney will need to open up an in-depth investigation. We will begin by examining the cause of the accident so we can identify those responsible.
Since liability must be proven based on a preponderance of the evidence, our investigation will need to produce valuable evidence to support your case. Here are some of the ways we will obtain this evidence so we can prove fault and negligence, maximizing your financial compensation:
Speak with Witnesses
Multi-vehicle car accidents are unique in that there are often many witnesses to the accident. While other types of car accidents might have onlookers, with the sheer number of vehicles involved in multi-vehicle pile-ups, chances are there will be many parties for your car accident attorney to speak with.
The sooner we can get witness statements and contact information, the better. We want to secure evidence that may only be available for a limited amount of time. Due to the traumatic nature of the experience, the sooner we can speak with witnesses, the more likely it is we will be provided with valuable details about the accident that could easily be forgotten due to the extent of witness injuries or emotional distress.
When multiple witnesses provide the same testimony regarding how the accident happened, it can go a long way in helping convince the jury that the defendant in your case is to blame.
Contact Law Enforcement Officials
We will also need to contact the responding officers and other law enforcement officials that arrived at the scene of the multi-vehicle accident. Police will be filing reports that should be introduced as evidence in your case.
When they file a crash report, it will include critical details about the multi-vehicle accident, likely including an assignment of liability. The police report will also include video surveillance, photos of the damage to the surrounding property and other vehicles, and more information that we can use to prove negligence in your case.
Get a Car Accident Lawyer at BDIW Law on Your Side
If you have yet to hire a car accident attorney, now is the time to do so. When you have suffered debilitating injuries in a multi-vehicle car accident, you cannot represent yourself without running the risk of insurance companies and defense lawyers taking advantage of you.
Insurance claims and civil lawsuits surrounding multi-vehicle car accidents are notoriously complicated. With help from an experienced legal professional, you have a better opportunity of recovering your losses and ensuring the liable party is brought to justice.
Meet with a Car Accident Lawyer Today
Once your car accident lawyer has figured out who is at fault for your multi-vehicle car accident, you can proceed with your insurance claims and civil lawsuits where necessary. Make sure you have an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury team working for you.
Contact BDIW Law for a free, no-obligation consultation today. When you do, you can learn more about what your next steps should be, how the car accident claims process works, and who may be at fault for the multi-vehicle car accident you were involved in. Call our office or complete our quick contact form to start working on your case as soon as today.
