Determining Who is Liable for a Chain Reaction Accident

Multi-vehicle accidents have a number of different causes, but chain reaction collisions are perhaps the most common. These accidents occur when there are three or more vehicles in a row, the first of which is involved in a collision, which causes the next car to collide with the first vehicle, and so on. Because there are so many drivers and vehicles involved in this type of collision, determining fault can be a challenge, so it is especially important for individuals who are involved in chain reaction accidents, to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney who can help them build a strong defense.

When do Chain Reaction Accidents Occur?

Chain reaction accidents can occur in any place where there are multiple vehicles in a small space, such as an intersection or a single lane on the freeway. In most cases, these collisions occur because a driver is distracted in some way and so crashes into the car in front of him or her, which initiates the chain reaction.

Chain reaction accidents tend to have particularly devastating consequences because occupants must withstand numerous impacts, often from multiple angles. This in turn, can cause a variety of different injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, nerve damage, lacerations, and internal organ damage. Recovering from these types of injuries can be painful, time-consuming, and expensive, making it especially important for the injured parties to hold the at-fault parties accountable for their actions by recovering damages to cover these, and other losses.

Who is Liable for Chain Reaction Accidents?

In most cases, the first person that collides with another vehicle is considered the at-fault driver in the chain reaction collision. However, if that individual was not able to brake in time because of a mechanical defect, liability could also be attributed to another person or entity.  In these situations, an expert in accident reconstruction will usually need to be brought in to investigate the matter. These experts use evidence from the scene of the accident, including photographs, video recordings, and eyewitness statements to construct the time frame and determine who was responsible for the crash, whether it was only a single driver, multiple drivers, or another third party, such as a vehicle parts manufacturer.

In fact, because Florida is a comparative fault state, injured parties can recover damages even if they were partly at fault for the collision, although the amount that they can collect will be reduced by their degree of fault.

Call Our Office Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you were injured in a multi-vehicle collision, you need the advice of an attorney who has the experience and resources to help you build a strong case. To learn more about what filing a personal injury claim entails, please call 954-566-9919 today to speak with one of the dedicated Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyers at Boone & Davis. Initial consultations are offered free of charge, so please don’t hesitate to call or contact a member of our legal team today.

Resource:

foxnews.com/us/new-jersey-couple-on-way-to-wedding-hit-killed-in-chain-reaction-crash

https://www.booneanddavislaw.com/collecting-compensation-for-delayed-injuries/