Determining Fault in a Multi-Car Pileup
The classic car accident case involves only two vehicles. The case turns on determining which driver is at fault for the crash. Fault might be shared, but if it is, then fault is divided only between two people.
Multi-vehicle pileups present many complicated factual and legal issues. These are collisions involving more than two vehicles. Often, dozens of cars might be involved in these crashes, especially on the interstate where traffic is congested and one collision leads to dozens of other accidents. Many motorists are overwhelmed as they struggle to handle their injuries. Contact Rosenbaum Law Group, PC, to discuss your multi-car accident.
How We Approach These Cases
An important factual issue is determining which driver initially caused the accident. Most pileups happen because one vehicle collides with another, and now both vehicles are stopped in the middle of the highway. Drivers coming from behind have no way of knowing that an accident has occurred, so they usually must swerve to avoid crashing into the two stopped cars.
Often, a chain reaction takes place, where multiple cars will hit each other, and before you know it dozens of vehicles are involved.
To determine which driver is to blame, we usually rely on:
- The police report. The officers who respond to these accidents will usually create an accident report. They will try to determine how the accident happened and who is at fault.
- Dashboard cameras. Some of the vehicles might have dashcams, which could have recorded the initial crash or provide other clues.
- The police report should identify witnesses, and we might interview some of them. Your own memories can be helpful, although we have represented people in the middle of the wreck who really don’t know which motorist crashed first.
- Event data recorders. Basically, a black box that exists in most newer vehicles which captures event data. However, this data is hard to get from other vehicles and must be done almost immediately.
- Certain types of experts can reconstruct a collision based on physical evidence and documentation of the crash itself.
Insurance companies are heavily involved in reconstructing these accidents. They can use their resources to identify how the accident unfolded.
Pileups usually happen at high speeds, so injuries can be very serious. Furthermore, emergency services might be delayed getting to seriously injured people in the middle of the wreckage. Many injured victims are not in any condition to handle their own legal claim.
As your lawyer, we can also try to negotiate fair compensation. That might mean bringing a claim against another driver, although in large pileups this driver’s liability insurance will be exhausted. We can investigate what other insurance might apply, such as your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. You can also use PIP benefits for a crash to pay for medical bills and other expenses.
Speak with a Portland Car Accident Attorney Today
Our law firm is happy to assist anyone who thinks they have a valid legal claim for a motor vehicle collision. We can meet for a free consultation to gather more information about the crash. If hired, we work overtime to negotiate for a fair settlement. We might even file a personal injury lawsuit to seek justice. Call Rosenbaum Law Group, PC to schedule a free consultation with a Portland car accident lawyer.
