Partner at Charbonnet Law Firm LLC

Practice Areas: Car Accident, Slip-and-Fall, Work-related Injury

Multi-vehicle accidents can turn an ordinary day into a nightmare. These crashes often involve three or more vehicles and can lead to serious injuries, damaged cars, and overwhelming questions about who’s responsible. If you’ve ever been stuck in the middle of one, you know how confusing and stressful it can be to figure out what happened — and who should pay for the damages.

In Louisiana, determining fault in a multiple-vehicle accident isn’t always simple. This guide breaks it down in plain language, helping you understand how these crashes happen, how liability is decided, and what your next steps should be if you’re involved in one.

What Causes Multi-Vehicle Accidents?

A multiple-vehicle accident can happen in many ways, but a few situations are more common than others. These crashes often start with a single point of impact and quickly escalate as other drivers don’t have enough time or space to avoid the pileup.

Rear-End Chain Reactions

This is one of the most common ways a multi-car accident begins. One Driver suddenly stops or slows down, and the car behind them doesn’t brake in time. That car hits the first, then another vehicle hits the second, and so on. Heavy traffic can easily involve five or more cars.

Side-impact or T-bone collisions

At intersections, side-impact collisions usually occur when a car runs a red light or fails to yield. When a car hits the side of another, it can push that vehicle into additional lanes or oncoming traffic, causing more collisions in seconds.

Head-On Collisions

Although less common, head-on crashes are incredibly dangerous. They may start with a driver swerving into the wrong lane, often on two-lane roads. Vehicles behind the first two may not have time to avoid the crash, leading to more cars piling up.

Large Truck Accidents

Crashes involving 18-wheelers or commercial vehicles can quickly become multi-vehicle collisions. A large truck’s size and weight mean it can hit several cars at once, especially on highways or in poor weather conditions.

Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323: In any action for damages where a person suffers injury, death, or loss, the degree or percentage of fault of all persons causing or contributing to the injury, death, or loss shall be determined…

How Fault Is Determined in Louisiana

Louisiana uses a comparative fault system, meaning multiple drivers can share blame in a crash. Each is assigned a percentage of fault, and their compensation is reduced accordingly. For instance, if you’re 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your damages.

To determine fault, investigators rely on police reports, camera footage, physical evidence, and expert analysis. Statute of Limitations: In Louisiana, you have a year from the date of the accident to make a personal injury claim.

Legal Rules That Can Affect Your Claim

The One-Year Deadline

After a car accident, you have only a year under Louisiana law to file a personal injury claim. This is one of the shortest deadlines in the country. If you wait too long, you may lose the right to recover compensation — even if your injuries are serious.

The “No Pay, No Play” Law

Louisiana has a rule that limits compensation for uninsured drivers. If you don’t have car insurance, you may be barred from collecting the first $15,000 for bodily injury and the first $25,000 for property damage, even if the accident wasn’t your fault.

Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” Law (La. R.S. § 32:866): There shall be no recovery for the first fifteen thousand dollars of bodily injury and no recovery for the first twenty-five thousand dollars of property damage for a driver or owner of a car involved in an accident who does not have or keep up required auto insurance coverage

What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Accident

If you’re involved in a crash with multiple vehicles, your first step should always be safety. Get medical help, even if you don’t think you’re badly hurt. Some injuries take time to appear.

Next, gather as much information as possible. Take photos of the scene, note the positions of the vehicles, and talk to witnesses if possible. Once the police report is available, request a copy.

Then, talk to an experienced car accident attorney. They can help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies, and gather the evidence needed to prove who was at fault.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To

After a multiple-vehicle collision, you may be able to seek compensation for:

  • Medical bills, including emergency care and follow-up treatment
  • Lost wages if you’re unable to work
  • Future medical expenses and rehabilitation
  • Pain and emotional suffering
  • Damage to your vehicle or personal property

If someone dies in a multi-car crash, their family may also be able to file a wrongful death claim under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2.

Common Accident Types and Liability Breakdown

Accident Type Common Causes Typical Fault Attribution
Rear-End Collision Following too closely, sudden stops Rear driver often at fault
Side-Impact (T-bone) Failure to yield, running red lights Driver violating traffic signal
Head-On Collision Wrong-way driving, lane departure Driver leaving their lane
Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up Chain reactions, poor visibility Multiple drivers may share fault
Truck-Involved Accidents Wide turns, brake failure Truck driver or maintenance crew

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a multi-vehicle accident?

Move to a safe area, call 911, get medical care, take photos, exchange info, and contact your insurance provider. A lawyer can guide you on the next steps.

Can I recover damages if I am partially at fault?

Indeed. You can get compensation under Louisiana’s comparative fault statute, but the amount will be deducted according to your degree of fault.

How is fault determined in multi-vehicle accidents?

The fault is determined by analyzing the accident scene, police reports, witness statements, and sometimes expert accident reconstruction.

What is the “No Pay, No Play” law?

If you drive uninsured in Louisiana, this law limits the amount of damages you can claim after an accident, even if it wasn’t your fault.

How long do I have to file a claim after a multi-vehicle accident?

In Louisiana, you typically have one year from the accident date to file a personal injury claim.

Get Your Free Consultation

Conclusion

Multi-vehicle accidents are more than just chaotic — they’re legally complex. Figuring out who’s responsible is rarely simple, especially when several drivers may share blame. In Louisiana, the rules around comparative fault and insurance laws like “No Pay, No Play” make it even more critical to understand your rights and act quickly.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a multi-vehicle accident in New Orleans, it’s essential to get legal support early on. The attorneys at Charbonnet Law Firm, LLC can help you navigate the legal process and work toward a fair resolution.

Please don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your claim. Take the first step toward recovering what you’ve lost.

With over 50 years of legal experience serving families in the New Orleans area and surrounding Louisiana communities, our firm takes pride in providing clients with personalized legal services tailored to individual needs.

  • “I walked in as a client and walked out as a friend. If you are good at what you do, you will never need expensive ads to prove it. Good outshines the rest and in volatile times such as now always go for the good and at Charbonnet Law Firm you will be treated as humans and not just a case file. It’s my word of mouth endorsement and I approve this message.”

    A. Bajaj

  • “It’s easy to get caught up in lies. These days it’s hard to weed out good from bad. The best endorsement is what comes from people, not the lawyers’ own endorsements, paid celebrity endorsements or actors telling you they made millions. Charbonnet law firm has no expensive ads because they have happy clients. I am one of them!”

    J. Kelly

  • “If I had to sum it up in short Charbonnet Law Firm has a team that treats everyone with respect and esteem. Kindness is apparent as soon as you walk into the office, don’t be just a case number! I am not just saying it I am a client too!”

    B. Smith

  • “Best Firm in New Orleans. Great service. These guys treated me like family whenever I got in a tight situation. Clean office and great location in the Metairie area.”

    Q. Lee

SCHEDULE A FREE
Consultation

Home contact Form