A multiple-vehicle accident can be devastating, leaving many people seriously injured. The chaos of a multi-vehicle accident can make it difficult to determine whose actions caused the crash and who is liable for the injuries. If you were injured in a multi-car crash that was not your fault, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
At Kraft & Associates, P.C., our attorneys have the experience and skill to investigate multi-vehicle accidents. We can help you demand just compensation no matter how complicated the case. We are proud to have served the Dallas-Fort Worth community for more than 50 years. We treat every client with the care, compassion, and dedication they deserve. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with a Dallas multiple-vehicle accident lawyer, online or by calling (214) 999-9999.
What Is a Multi-Car Accident?
A multi-car accident is any traffic collision that involves two or more vehicles. Multi-car accidents often occur on highways, where vehicles travel side-by-side at high speeds. Drivers traveling at highway speeds have less time to recognize a hazardous situation and react to avoid a crash. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the more distance it requires to stop. Drivers sometimes panic when faced with an imminent collision and react by swerving into another lane, where they crash into another vehicle.
When two cars collide on the highway, the drivers around them may have difficulty avoiding the crash because of their proximity. These types of multi-car accidents are sometimes called “pile-ups.” Pile-up accidents are common on slick roads in low visibility conditions because drivers may not see a stopped or slowed vehicle or a disabled vehicle on the road.
Who Is Responsible in a Multi-Vehicle Crash?
Identifying the parties responsible for a multi-vehicle crash can be a complicated task. A multi-vehicle accident may involve several distinct events, with different motorists contributing to the accident.
In some multi-vehicle crashes, one driver’s negligence or recklessness can create a chain reaction of collisions involving multiple motorists. The overall accident may be made worse by separate errors committed by various drivers.
After a multi-vehicle crash, police will typically respond to the scene to investigate and prepare a police accident report. Investigating officers will want to determine which driver set off the chain of events and whether other drivers contributed to the crash by acting carelessly. The police accident report may contain the officers’ opinions on which driver or drivers are responsible for causing the accident.
However, the fault assigned by police in an accident report is not legally binding. The insurance companies of the drivers involved in the accident will make their own determinations about who is responsible. If liability for a multi-vehicle crash ends up being resolved at trial, the jury or the judge will make a determination of responsibility for the accident.
How Is Fault Determined in a Multi-Car Accident?
Determining fault for a multi-car accident can be challenging. A discussion of fault can unravel into finger-pointing and passing the blame. Resolving the dispute typically requires an examination of evidence from the accident scene to figure out what happened and to identify the parties whose actions contributed to the accident. Important evidence in multi-car accident cases includes:
- Police accident reports, which may include the officer’s opinions of fault for the crash
- Accident scene photos and videos, including pictures of vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, traffic signs, visual obstructions, weather conditions, lighting, and road conditions
- Post-accident vehicle inspections, which may reveal mechanical failures caused by defective auto parts or inadequate vehicle maintenance, and logs from the vehicles’ on-board computers
- Traffic camera, surveillance camera, and dashcam footage
- Testimony and reports from experts in accident reconstruction
- Testimony from the drivers and passengers involved in the accident and from eyewitnesses at the scene of the crash
The testimony of witnesses who saw the crash can help resolve a situation where drivers and insurers attempt to shift blame onto one another. A witness who was passing by when the accident occurred has no vested interest in the outcome of the drivers’ legal claims. If multiple witnesses provide corroborating accounts of what happened in the crash, it can solidify the determination of fault for the accident.
Keep in mind that Texas follows a modified comparative negligence or proportionate responsibility rule when determining who is at fault for a car accident. This rule allows someone who is partially to blame for an accident to pursue compensation from the other parties. However, the compensation a plaintiff is awarded will be reduced according to their share of the fault.
Crucially, the modified comparative negligence rule means that you must be no more than 50 percent at fault for an accident to be eligible for compensation in civil court.
What To Do After a Multi-Car Collision If You Are Not Responsible for the Accident
If you have been involved in a multi-car collision caused by another motorist, you can take certain steps to protect your right to file an injury claim and pursue compensation for your accident expenses and related losses:
- Contact law enforcement and report the accident
- Exchange contact, insurance, license, and vehicle information with each driver involved in the accident
- Get contact information of any bystanders who may have witnessed the accident
- Document the accident scene by using your cell phone to take photos or videos
- See a doctor as soon as possible to get your injuries examined, treated, and added to your medical record
- File an accident report with the authorities, if the police did not respond to the scene of the accident
- Notify your auto insurance provider of the accident regardless of who was at fault
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep all follow-up appointments
- Retain copies of any medical bills, invoices, and receipts for expenses related to the accident, including car repairs
- Make copies of your pay stubs or other income records if you miss work because you are healing from your injuries
- Speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible to learn about your legal options and potential sources of compensation
What To Do After a Multi-Car Collision If You Are Responsible for the Accident
If you believe that you are partly to blame for a multi-car collision, you may still be entitled to seek compensation if others were at fault. It will depend on the facts of the accident. You should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer promptly to understand your rights and ensure that you are not assigned more than your share of the fault. You should:
- Stay at the scene of the accident, exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers, and speak to police officers who investigate the accident.
- Avoid admitting fault or apologizing to the other drivers involved in the accident. Do not discuss the crash with anyone except the police.
- Use your cell phone to take photos and videos of the scene of the accident, documenting any details you think might be helpful to understand how the accident occurred.
- Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible.
- Get medical treatment immediately to have any injuries you suffered diagnosed and treated, and follow any treatment plan your doctor gives you.
- Keep copies of any bills you incur due to the crash, including doctor’s, hospital, and car repair bills.
- Maintain records of your pay stubs and other income documents if you cannot work due to your injuries.
- Speak to a car accident lawyer right away to understand your legal options.