Who is Responsible For a Multi-Car Pile-Up?
A multi-car pile-up accident is one in which at least three or more vehicles are involved in the same car accident. They often involve several drivers not driving carefully, making it difficult for victims to win personal injury claims relating to the accident.
Who will be held liable? seems like an easy question. But when one looks at the facts of these accidents, it becomes clear that they happen in several ways. The specific cause will ultimately govern liability. It simply isn’t always the case that the first or last care is always the liable driver.
It’s important to remember that more than one driver may be at fault. One driver may have caused the initial collision, and then other vehicles will slide into that one, for example, in a chain. This uncertainty is particularly true in dangerous weather conditions.
Rear-End Chain Collisions
A rear-end collision, one of the most common multi-car pile-up accidents, usually happens when the front car in a line stops or moves more slowly than the car or cars behind it. How that next car approaches the front vehicle is usually the factor in the severity of the accident.
Usually, the driver who rear-ends the front vehicle in the chain will be responsible. Common causes include:
- Tailgating – One of the most common causes of a rear-end collision is when the next driver follows too closely behind another vehicle. When the front driver stops, there is no safe stopping distance available to the tailgating driver. When a driver hits the first vehicle and a third vehicle hits him, the chain of accidents begins.
- Driving Unsafely for Conditions – The weather often causes multi-car pile-up collisions when drivers ignore the wet or icy roads and slide into the car ahead.
- Speeding – Driving too fast makes it difficult to stop for traffic or obstacles.
- Distracted Driving – The NTSB says nearly nine out of ten of these are now caused by distracted driving, which continues to be a growing factor in all road safety issues.
Head-On Collisions
Whether involving two cars or more, head-on collisions are among the worst because of the combined speed of the various vehicles. The driver who is out of the correct lane is usually the one responsible for the accident. If you look at each vehicle´s hit, you can determine the responsible driver.
Intersection Collisions
Usually, the driver who went through the intersection in violation of the signal or sign will be at fault. Other drivers may become involved by being shoved into the intersection by someone attempting to stop or similar circumstances. Drivers who are not paying attention might not avoid the crash in time and might share liability.
Lane Change Collisions
Generally, the driver who crossed into the lane of another vehicle will be liable for the accident.
Contact A Round Rock Car Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve recently been involved in a Round Rock car accident involving multiple vehicles, you should get an experienced car accident attorney soon. The liability issues can be complex, and an attorney will help you protect your own rights. And also, the attorney will try to get you the best possible settlement. Contact us today or call 512-766-4529 for an initial consultation and case evaluation.
