Car Accidents
Who is Responsible For a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
A multi-car accident often occurs when three or more automobiles are involved in the same accident. Consequently, when all is said and done, this crash can end with a series of collisions that result in devastating damages, extensive trauma, and astronomical medical expenses that will forever impact the victims and their families.
What is even worse is when you are involved in a multi-vehicle accident, it can be difficult to determine liability, as there are many vehicles that could have been at fault for this collision. As a result, many victims in these types of crashes are often left struggling to try to figure out what they are supposed to do next, how do they get the money they need, and who they need to contact to get their questions answered and receive the legal help they require. That is why in this blog post, we will dive into this topic of multi-vehicle accidents and help you understand what causes these crashes, who can be found at fault for them, and who you need to call to fight for the damages and justice you deserve.
Different Types of Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Although car accidents can occur for many reasons, some of the more common types of accidents that result in a multi-vehicle crash include the following:
- A Side Impact Collision: These types of crashes are also referred to as T-bone collisions and involve at least two motor vehicles. They typically result when one car runs into the side of another vehicle, usually occurring when a driver does not yield to the right of way of the other automobile. However, when these cars strike, it could end up causing the vehicle to push the other motorist into oncoming traffic, leading to a multi-vehicle accident. This is because cars and other vehicles may not be able to stop in time to avoid crashing into the vehicles on the road.
- A Rear-end Crash: These crashes start when one car hits the automobile in front of them and causes that vehicle to be pushed into another car. Ultimately, this can turn into a chain reaction of multiple cars rear-ending the motor vehicle in front of them.
- A Head-on Crash: A head-on crash usually involves a vehicle crashing into the front of another motor vehicle. These accidents seem to be the most common on two-lane roads but can ultimately result on any roadways. What also ends up happening in these types of accidents is that those vehicles following the two automobiles involved in the head-on crash may not be able to stop in time before crashing into one of these cars.
- A Large Trucking Accident: When motor vehicle crashes involve large trucks, especially on highways, the accidents often result in multiple-vehicle collisions. This tends to happen because of the truck’s size, which, when it strikes, can hit multiple automobiles at the same time.
Although these are the more common types of multi-vehicle crashes, in truth, any traffic accident can result in a multi-vehicle collision and lead to debilitating injuries, excruciating pain, and a slew of medical expenses the victim will have to deal with for the rest of their life.
Common Injuries Resulting From a Multi-Vehicle Collision
When it comes to car accidents, these crashes can cause harm to virtually any part of the body. However, the most common types of injuries that occur after a multi-vehicle accident include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Deep lacerations
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Back injuries
- Scarring
- Disfiguring facial trauma
- Limb loss
- Crushing injuries
- Road rash injuries
Using Experts to Determine Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Accident
To obtain the money you need following a car accident, you need to be able to prove which motorist was at fault for your injuries. However, when it comes to multi-vehicle crashes, determining fault can be incredibly difficult. In some instances, there may even be multiple motorists responsible for the accident.
That is why it is important to determine not only which drivers were at fault for the collision but the degree of fault for each driver. Yet, assigning these degrees of fault is not easy and can be even more challenging than determining which drivers caused the accident.
For these reasons, to hold a party accountable for the damages you sustained in the accident, you need to retain an experienced car accident attorney. These lawyers can investigate the crash, figure out what happened and who was at fault, and they can also retain experts to reconstruct the accident. This way, these experts can identify each factor contributing to the cause of the collision, identify the motorists who played a role in the crash and assign each a degree of fault.
The Statute of Limitations to Bring an Injury Claim After a Multi-Vehicle Accident
The statute of limitations is a law that will dictate the max amount of time you have to file a claim following an alleged offense. If you do not file your suit within this time period, you can be barred from pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses.
If you suffered an injury from a multi-vehicle collision in Louisiana, you will only have one year to file a claim. That is why it is important not to wait to pursue legal action. Instead, you need to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible and have them determine the maximum amount of time you have to file your case.
Get the Legal Help You Need Following a Multi-Vehicle Collision
Even though no compensation can fully erase the hurt and damages a multi-vehicle collision may have caused you and your family, we know that getting financial recovery for the losses and injuries you sustained can help you start rebuilding your life after this horrific and traumatic ordeal. For these reasons, following one of these accidents, you must reach out to an experienced car accident attorney that can help provide you the legal help you need to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Once you retain one of these skilled car accident attorneys, they can:
- Evaluate your potential injury claim, offer you the advice you need, and go over the legal options you can pursue.
- Answer all of your questions and concerns and provide you with the exceptional advocacy you need.
- Investigate your multi-vehicle crash and build the strongest possible case by securing evidence needed to prove liability and damages.
- Handle all the negotiations and discussions with the other side, including the insurance company, and pursue the just compensation you require.
- Bring in the experts to substantiate your claims.
- Take your case to trial, if required, and work tirelessly to get you the maximum damages you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a multi-vehicle accident, do not wait any longer to get the legal help you need. Instead, contact the Charbonnet Law Firm, LLC today or call our office at (504) 294-5075 for a free case review and let our legal team show you what we can do for you.
