Any type of motor vehicle collision has the potential to cause you significant complications as you try to put the pieces back together and move forward after this type of event. However, the aftermath of a multi-car accident can be particularly complex as you must deal with the possibility of multiple responsible parties, more than one insurance company and several versions of what happened. It can be especially challenging to figure out what to do next if you are suffering after a crash involving more than one other vehicle.
One of the challenges you could face is determining who is at fault. This is a significant determination as this will affect whether you can pursue compensation as a victim. You will benefit from an understanding of your legal rights and the options available to you. It may also be helpful to learn about the types of damages you may pursue and what steps you will need to take next.
Common causes and types of multi-vehicle accidents
Multi-vehicle accidents involve three or more vehicles, and they can happen for reasons that include distracted driving, intoxication from drugs or alcohol, speeding, poor road conditions, bad weather and more. Like other types of crashes, collisions are often the result of poor choices from drivers and other preventable factors. Common types of multi-car collisions include rear-end collisions, head-on impacts, side-on crashes and pile-up accidents. The responding officers will take initial steps to determine what happened, starting with evaluating the accident scene.
The officers will undertake a careful examination of facts by speaking with drivers, passengers in all vehicles and witnesses. They may take pictures of the accident scene, measure the distance between wrecked vehicles and even note other details, such as skid marks on the pavement. These details will play an important role in establishing what happened and determining which driver or drivers are responsible for causing the crash.
Representing your interests
The aftermath of a multi-car accident can be stressful to navigate, and you will benefit from seeking guidance as you look for ways to rebuild your life, get the medical treatment you need and move forward after this type of traumatic event. A potential civil claim is time sensitive, which is why it is helpful to seek legal guidance as soon as possible in order to improve your chance of success.
