Car crashes can be complicated. After a crash, there can be a lot of finger pointing as drivers try to blame each other for causing the accident. This can be confusing and frustrating when there are only two drivers involved in the crash, but it can be infinitely more difficult and maddening when there are multiple drivers involved in the wreck.
Get to the Truth of What Really Caused Your Multi-Vehicle Crash
Crashes involving more than two vehicles are known as multi-vehicle crashes, chain-reaction crashes, or highway pile-ups. These crashes can be caused by:
- Distracted drivers. Distracted drivers may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting the car in front of them or may proceed through an intersection without obeying the traffic signals. When they hit one vehicle, it could cause a chain reaction with other vehicles.
- Drowsy drivers. Drowsy drivers can be as dangerous as drunk drivers and may cause accidents in similar ways.
- Drunk drivers. Alcohol and drugs can affect a driver’s reflexes and response time which can lead a driver to hit another driver and start a chain reaction accident.
- Drivers who are following too closely. Drivers who are following other vehicles too closely may not have enough time to stop if a vehicle in front of them stops suddenly or unexpectedly. This can cause a multi-vehicle wreck.
- Poor visibility or slippery roads. While drivers do not cause weather conditions, they are expected to adapt their behavior so that they drive safely in situations where it may be difficult to see other vehicles or where the roads make it difficult to stop.
Faulty brakes, speeding drivers, aggressive drivers, and other negligent drivers can also cause multi-vehicle crashes.
More than one driver may be responsible for causing the crash. A liability determination will be made after a full investigation is done into the crash and, if more than one driver is liable, a percentage of liability will be assigned to each responsible driver.
Make Sure Your Rights Are Protected After a Multi-Vehicle Accident
Every driver, and every driver’s insurance company, has an interest in minimizing liability. Therefore, you cannot rely on another driver’s investigation of the crash or any insurance company’s evaluation of the accident. Instead, you need to work with a lawyer who is going to make sure your own rights are protected and that liability is accurately determined.
Our experienced Louisville car accident lawyers know how to handle the complexities of multi-vehicle crashes and would be pleased to provide you with a free consultation about your rights and your potential recovery. Please call us or reach out to us via this website at any time to learn more.