What Makes Multi-Vehicle Accidents So Complex?
By: DeWitt Algorri & Algorri
Car accident cases are often far more complicated than you’d expect, involving multiple rounds of negotiations between insurance companies, driver statements that may or may not be true, and conflicting evidence. However, when you get into the realm of multi-vehicle accidents—crashes involving more than two vehicles—it’s even more complex. At that point, you’re dealing with at least three insurance companies and statements from three different drivers. It’s crucial to work with a Southern California car accident lawyer who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. That’s where our team steps in. With decades of experience in car accident law, we are committed to helping victims like you. Call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to set up a consultation now.
Crashes involving more than one impact can cause serious injuries to drivers and vehicle occupants. One study looked at the likelihood of serious injuries—those rated MAIS 3 or higher on a scale going up to MAIS 6—in single-impact and multiple-impact crashes. Multiple-impact crashes accounted for just 24% of all collisions but 42% of all serious injuries. Those involved in multiple-impact crashes were almost 2.5 times more likely to suffer a serious injury.
Contributing Factors
A number of factors can make multi-vehicle crashes significantly more complex than single- or two-vehicle accidents. To start, there are multiple points of impact. One point of impact is fairly easy to understand; even a layperson can look at it and figure out what went wrong. But with each additional point of impact, there are more questions. It gets harder to figure out the order of the different points of impact and more challenging to determine how the crash unfolded.
The first collision in a multi-vehicle crash is often the trigger for everything else that follows, which is why these crashes are often referred to as chain reaction collisions. Vehicles that weren’t even involved in the first crash can become collateral damage in secondary collisions, ramping up the amount of damage caused and intensifying the legal complexity of the case.
When so many vehicles are involved in a collision, each person’s eyewitness testimony is weakened. Perspectives are likely to vary widely from person to person, and since the crash scene is already difficult to decipher, it can be nearly impossible to tell whose story is closest to the truth. That’s why many of these collisions require the assistance of an accident reconstruction expert.
Following a multi-vehicle accident, the legal complexities are elevated, emphasizing the crucial need for an experienced car accident lawyer. Such a professional can adeptly handle the intricacies involving numerous insurance companies, conflicting statements, and intricate evidence, ensuring that victims secure the compensation they deserve.
Issues in Determining Fault
While it’s always recommended that you work with a car accident attorney after a collision, it’s especially important when the crash in question involves at least three cars. Before you have the chance to fight for compensation, you’ll need to determine liability. A number of issues may arise as you do so:
- Difficulty determining the sequence of events: When you’re looking at three or more cars tangled up in a crash, trying to figure out what exactly happened is a nightmare. People expect the police to figure it out right away and include it in the police report, but the fact is that police aren’t accident reconstruction experts. They can comment only on what they see and what people tell them. You may not know precisely what happened until an expert weighs in. Until then, knowing who’s liable is a challenge.
- Figuring out the initial point of impact: In many cases, figuring out liability comes down to determining which vehicle caused the initial impact. Even if liability is then split between multiple drivers, it’s likely that most of it will lie with the initial driver. As you may imagine, getting someone to admit to being the first driver to strike another car isn’t exactly easy.
- Splitting fault between multiple drivers: Once the investigation is done, you may find that liability is actually divided between multiple parties. This can make it hard for injured victims to recover what they deserve from the at-fault parties.
Complicating Factors With Insurance
Working things out with insurance is never easy, but when you’re dealing with a complicated accident, it’s even more of a headache. Insurance companies will do whatever they can to get out of paying for damages caused by their clients. When there are other people who may or may not be at fault, that’s often enough for them to deny liability. You’ll need to build an even stronger case to get compensation out of them.
Injured in a Crash? Call DeWitt Algorri & Algorri Today
No matter how complex your car accident case is, the team at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, consisting of skilled car accident attorneys, is here to help you fight for full and fair compensation. We know how a serious car crash can affect your life and plans, and we want to get you back on track. Contact us online or call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464).