Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is rarely simple, especially if multiple vehicles are involved. When numerous vehicles are involved in a crash, it becomes substantially more difficult to determine how the crash was caused and who may be liable for causing the accident. Determining liability is extremely important after an accident, especially if you require compensation for costly damage, extensive injuries, lost wages, and other types of damages. By identifying the liable party, you will be better equipped to hold that party responsible for the harm they caused you. However, if you are dealing with a multi-vehicle crash, you must understand how liability is typically determined.
Once you’ve recovered from the initial repercussions of the crash and have received the appropriate medical help, you need to find out who could be responsible for causing your incident.
Understanding How Multiple Vehicle Accidents Occur
Multi-vehicle accidents, or chain reaction accidents, can occur for any number of reasons, though there are a few common scenarios that frequently cause these types of crashes. Many of these incidents occur because one driver makes an error, (such as stopping suddenly or swerving), which then causes the vehicles behind the at-fault driver to pile up. In the second scenario, a multi-vehicle crash could occur because the at-fault driver rear-ends the vehicle in front of them, propelling that vehicle into the car ahead of them, and so on. In either of these situations, the number of cars involved could vary significantly, depending on the extent of the initial crash, the speed of traffic, the road conditions, weather, and several other factors.
Determining Liability
Depending on the type of crash that occurred, the cause, and the resulting damage, several parties could be found liable. In some cases, one driver may be liable, or several drivers may share responsibility. Or, if the crash was caused by a mechanical failure or vehicle defect, the vehicle manufacturer may be the responsible party. If the crash occurred because of road defects, construction debris, or other external factors, the company responsible for creating those road hazards may be liable. Or, if the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash, their company may be liable for the driver’s actions.
In each case, liability may vary, which is why it is so important to work alongside an experienced attorney to determine the best course of action for your particular situation. Our team at the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli has more than 25 years of experience, and we pride ourselves in our ability to provide personalized, steadfast legal representation.
Are you ready to get started on your multi-vehicle accident case? Contact the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli to discuss your case with our experienced firm.