A multi-vehicle accident occurs when three or more drivers are involved in a crash. The first rear-end collision acts as a domino effect, causing front vehicles to be jolted forward, striking other vehicles. The sequence of rear-end crashes results in serious injuries and substantial property damage. If you have been involved in a multi-vehicle highway accident, our Franklin County car accident attorneys are here to defend your legal rights.
Determining Fault is More Complex
Commonly referred to as a chain reaction crash, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for the accident. While you may assume that the first driver who rear-ended another driver is legally responsible for the pile-up, liability is often more complex. Although the rear driver may have caused the accident, other drivers may not have done their duty to prevent crashing into others.
Pennsylvania practices comparative negligence, allowing drivers to recoup damages based on their percentage of fault. So, if a driver has a $20,000 bodily injury claim but is 30% at fault, he or she will only be paid $14,000 on their claim. If you are more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovery. Given the complexity of establishing liability, our legal team will confer with accident reconstructionists to assess the crash. An accident reconstructionist will evaluate the speed of the vehicles in the moments leading to the crash, the angle of impact, and your injuries to determine what likely occurred.
It May Take Longer to Gather and Organize Evidence
Evidence to establish liability in a multi-vehicle accident may involve photographs, videos, eyewitness testimony, and a police report. If possible, you will want to gather photographs of shredded tires, skid marks, vehicle damage, and the final resting position of the vehicles. If a bystander took a video, you will want to get your hands on this footage to see the accident occur in real time. An eyewitness account can clarify which vehicle set off the chain reaction and what actions the other drivers took to avoid the crash.
You also want to get a copy of the police report, which is available within 15 days of an accident in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth allows any person involved in the crash, attorney, or insurer access to a crash report. The crash report will include the date/time/location of the accident, weather and road conditions, eyewitness testimony, testimony from any of the drivers, and who the officer believes caused the crash. Given the multiple parties involved, retrieving and organizing this evidence may take longer than a regular car accident case.
Insurance Companies Will Downplay Your Injuries
While the insurance company always wants to minimize payouts, this can be more prevalent in a multi-vehicle crash. Given the severe physical impact, you will likely experience serious and potentially catastrophic injuries. The cost to pay for your injuries may exceed your own policy’s PIP limits, requiring you to file a third-party claim. Being that you are not the policyholder, a claims adjuster is more inclined to dispute liability.
Especially when you experience emotional and other intangible injuries, it can be more challenging to reach a fair settlement. Chain reaction accidents can have a severe effect on a person’s mental health, causing them to experience depression, anxiety, and rage. In some cases, a person may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), causing irritability, insomnia, nightmares, and panic attacks.
Our car accident lawyers find that working with specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, rehabilitative therapists, and physical therapists is key to helping you obtain adequate compensation. Our legal team works with experts who are highly renowned in their field and who know how to explain complex concepts in a clear manner.
Reach Out to Our Franklin County Car Accident Attorneys
Injuries in a multi-vehicle collision can result in lost wages, hospital bills, and emotional distress. When your pain is caused by another’s carelessness behind the wheel, you should be compensated for the entirety of your losses. Thankfully, our Franklin County car accident lawyers are prepared to fight for the settlement you deserve. To schedule your free consultation with a member of our legal team, contact Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, online or by phone at (717) 229-6580 today.