Auto Accidents: Determining Fault When Multiple Parties Are Involved

When it comes to auto accident cases, they aren't all easy and straightforward like when liability is obvious in a two-car collision. It becomes far more complex when multiple vehicles are involved. In cases like these, it is harder to determine how the collision occurred and which driver is liable for the damages incurred. Luckily, a professional car accident lawyer can assist you with this complex and confusing profess through various means of investigation. Keep reading to learn more.

Types of Multiple-Vehicle Accidents

When it comes to multi-vehicle accidents, there are many different kinds of collisions that can take place. Some of the more common include head-on accidents, rear-end crashes, t-bone impacts, interstate collisions, pile-up accidents, and chain reaction crashes.  

Causes of Multiple-Vehicle Collisions

When a multi-vehicle accident occurs, there are numerous factors that can play a role in why the crash occurred. Some of the most common factors include:

  • Speeding — More often than not, highway and interstate collisions occur at a high rate of speed, and because of this, drivers have less time to bring their vehicles to a stop if they see a threat. If two vehicles collide, there is a good chance that other drivers may not have ample time to bring their vehicles to a stop in order to avoid a multi-vehicle pileup.
  • Poor Weather Conditions — When the weather conditions are bad, such as ice and snow, vehicles on the road may slip and slide. The inclement weather may also reduce the driver's visibility, which can lead to a collision and possibly even a chain reaction accident.
  • Following Too Closely — Multiple-vehicle crashes tend to take place during rush hour when there is a lot of traffic congestion on the roads. When drivers are following too closely to the vehicle in front of them, there is an increased risk of running into the rear end of the vehicle ahead of them, potentially resulting in a pile-up.

Determining Fault in Multiple-Vehicle Crashes

It can be hard to determine and prove fault in crashes that involve multiple vehicles due to the fact that various factors can be involved. When determining fault, the insurance company and your lawyer will take many things into consideration, including:

  • Whether any traffic laws were violated when the accident occurred
  • Whether citations were given by police to any drivers
  • The weather and road conditions at the time of the collisions
  • The location of the crash and vehicles
  • The data from the accident report
  • Eyewitness statements

If you have recently been involved in a multiple-vehicle accident, contact a local auto accident attorney to discuss the details of what transpired. More often than not, you can schedule a consultation for free with no obligation.


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