Multi-vehicle accidents are known by many names, including pileups and chain reactions. Usually, it begins with two cars colliding and then surrounding vehicles crashing into them. Pretty soon, what involved two cars ended up involving four or five.
Innocent passersby can also get caught in the crossfire. Property damage is also high when so many vehicles are involved. Insurance claims are very complicated, requiring the assistance of a multi-vehicle accidents and pileups accident lawyer in Stillwater, OK.
Causes of Multi-Vehicle Crashes
A multi-vehicle collision in Stillwater can happen whenever two cars crash and others hit these disabled cars. There can be many more secondary collisions. Sometimes low visibility will impact these collisions.
When one crash happens, it can lead to many more causing traffic stops and more. Some of the reasons a pileup or multi-vehicle accident can occur include:
- A driver is speeding
- Lane changes
- Taking left trunks
- An unexpected hazard
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Driving too fast for the conditions
Other factors to consider that can contribute to an accident are fog, heavy rain, smoke from nearby fires, infrastructure issues, and rubbernecking.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYPotential Injuries from Pile-Ups
Many injuries overlap with other car accidents, but pile-up collisions are often more severe. You must seek medical attention after a pileup accident. Potential injuries you can suffer in a multi-vehicle crash include:
- Multiple broken bones
- Paralysis
- Whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns
- Traumatic brain injury
- Seatbelt and airbag injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Neck and shoulder injuries
Multi-vehicle accidents have many victims and many injuries. Injuries can change your life forever, but you have legal recourse available. Some people do walk away with minor or no injuries.
Legal Liability in Chain Reaction Claims
The first car to rear-end another vehicle is usually at fault for the accident. The logic is that the rear vehicle can most easily avoid a crash as they can see what’s happening ahead and keep a safe distance and speed. They are to blame for a multi-vehicle collision if they fail to take these actions.
The driver who started the domino of crashes is usually liable. However, as discussed in another section, liability is much more complex. Discuss the details of your accident with our Stillwater multi-vehicle accidents and pileups accident lawyers.
When determining legal liability, you must look at the evidence for your claim. Independent investigations will be vital to uncovering evidence. Some proof that will be essential to your case that our multi-vehicle accidents and pileups accident attorneys in Stillwater, OK, will try to recover include:
- Witness testimony
- Police reports
- Traffic records
- Cell phone records
- Medical reports
- Surveillance footage
- Traffic and weather reports
BDIW Law will look for all available evidence that can fortify your claim. We will leave no stone unturned.
How Multiple Parties Can Share Liability
Yes, multiple parties can be responsible for a pileup or multi-vehicle accident. It will depend on the details of the case. However, in these cases, you must apply comparative negligence laws, which involve assigning a percentage of fault to each party involved to get a percentage from the insurance company.
Sometimes everyone in the accident agrees to the circumstances making the claim process more straightforward. However, the insurance company and your Stillwater multi-vehicle accidents and pileups accident attorney must investigate and protect your rights.
Examples of Multi-Vehicle Accidents
One prime example of a pileup involves four vehicles.
- The three lead cars come to a stop without hitting anyone.
- The fourth vehicle does not stop in time.
- They hit the third car causing it to hit the second and then the first.
In this case, the last driver is entirely responsible for the accident because the other three vehicles stopped in time. You will also see multi-vehicle accidents at intersections, cars making left turns, head-on collisions, and more. These accidents can even happen from lane changes.
Comparative Negligence
One instance when comparative negligence can fall on multiple parties is using the same four cars example from before. Suppose the second car does not stop, the third car does, but the fourth car doesn’t. That means the second and fourth cars will share responsibility for the accident.
Further, the first car can stop, and all subsequent cars do not. That means cars two through four share fault while the first car has none.
Recovering Compensation for a Pileup in Stillwater
Liability is very complex in these cases, and you have enough to worry about when it comes to your injuries and recovery. During an insurance claim, you can request compensation for your losses, including:
- Medical expense
- Lost income or benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disabilities and impairments
What to Know Before You File a Claim
As you can see, many factors must be considered in multi-vehicle and pileup accidents. Before filing an insurance claim, you must have your facts and evidence ready. You will need a detailed list of damages from the accident to get a fair settlement, and you will also want to review your insurance policy for any issues that can arise.
Your insurance policy is essential because of how contentious liability is during these accidents. You might have to tap into these benefits before you can get compensation from other sources. Multi-vehicle accidents and pileups accident attorneys can review your insurance policy, handle communications and negotiations, and the entire claims process.
Face the Insurance Company with Help from BDIW Law
Multi-vehicle accidents involve many moving parts, and you need someone in your corner. The best way to handle a multi-vehicle car accident is to discuss your case with a Stillwater multi-vehicle accidents and pileups accident attorney.
BDIW Law has a long history of handling these and other types of car accidents. We will work to find relevant evidence and build a strong case. Receive a free case review from BDIW Law by calling our office or submitting a contact form today.
