Determining liability for car accidents can be extremely messy. When you add multiple vehicles into the mix, it can become even tougher. Multi-vehicle accidents are those in which more than two vehicles are involved in a crash. Often multi-vehicle accidents begin with a chain-reaction. In other words, one vehicle crashes into another, which crashes into another, so on and so forth.
Chain-reaction accidents typically occur on highways and at stopped traffic (as vehicles in such situations are closer together). Since it can be difficult to determine who actually started the chain-reaction, assigning liability in such accidents can prove to be tough. And sometimes, multiple parties may even be to blame.
Contributing Factors
While it may seem like a no-brainer that the driver who caused the very first crash would be responsible for the whole situation, there may be other contributing factors. For instance, while one driver may have started the accident in motion, other drivers may have also been negligent (e.g. following too closely or speeding).
Alternately, if the situation involved dangerous road conditions or improper traffic signs, a governmental agency may also bear the burden of responsibility. Most chain-reaction accidents involve negligence of at least one, if not multiple, drivers. However, there are still rare instances in which inclement weather or some other type of natural danger started the events. Nevertheless, negligence may be shown even where the weather contributed to an accident. That’s because drivers have a duty to alter their driving according to the weather.
Serious Consequences
Since accidents with two motor vehicles are inherently dangerous, adding more than two vehicles into an accident makes it significantly more dangerous. Such accidents often result in catastrophic injuries. Additionally, when one accident has taken place on a busy road, it increases the risk of another one transpiring until it is fully cleaned up.
As you can imagine, multi-car, chain-reaction accidents are often very complicated. Therefore, such accidents require thorough investigation from professionals. This includes the assistance of a qualified Michigan personal injury attorney who can help to review medical documents, evidence, establish fault and liability, and help you to recover any damages to which you are entitled.
The Attorneys at Miller & Tischler, P.C. Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should not have to be bear the burden alone. When you are already dealing with so much, the last thing that you want to do is to have to worry about tackling the legalities of your situation.
The Michigan personal injury attorneys at Miller & Tischler, P.C. can help you to fight for the compensation that you deserve. We understand the seriousness of your injury and the physical, emotional, and financial hardships that you have endured (and will continue to endure). We will gather the necessary evidence and build a case to help you receive the most optimal outcome. We’ll help you fight for the compensation that you deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!