Normally, in a situation where one car hits another in a fender bender, the vehicle behind is the liable party. It’s an automatic assumption that the person driving behind should stay within a safe braking distance from the vehicle ahead to prevent a car accident.
However, if you’re involved in a multi-car crash, it becomes a different story since such an accident can be quite complex. It’s typically difficult to determine who should be held liable for the accident. Often, law enforcers need to take some information from the drivers, along with details about the position of the drivers involved and even the weather conditions.
Law enforcement officers will typically ask the following questions:
- Was there any driver who was speeding?
- Was there at least one driver who was driving too close?
- Which driver set off a chain reaction due to his or her negligent actions?
Once it’s determined who is at fault, the police report will cite who is accountable for the accident and explain how the accident happened. It’s quite common for one car to start the accident which resulted in a multi-car pileup.
Nevertheless, it’s also possible for more than one car to be at fault. The amount of fault or blame will be established by the police officer who will write the report regarding the accident. In other cases, the insurance adjusters will have to figure out the responsible party and will negotiate for a solution.
Most of the time, the cause of the accident was the negligence of one of the drivers, such as when he or she is texting while driving. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine who really is liable for the accident since it’s possible that one driver may be drinking and another rear-ended because he was texting. All these circumstances should be considered, and everyone involved in the accident will be assigned a percentage of fault based on their contribution to what occurred.
In a multi-car crash, the more details, people, and cars in the scenario, the more complicated the process of determining who is at fault becomes.
What to Do if You are Involved in a Multi-Car Pileup?
One of the first things you should do after any car accident is make sure everyone in your car is okay. It may be tempting to get out and check what happened, but it’s important to remain in the car. In a multiple car accident, you don’t know if it’s over and you could end up getting struck by another car.
Make sure that you have your seatbelt on in case your vehicle is hit again. It’s also wise to have your hazard flashing lights on during this time.
When it’s safe to get out of the car,wait for paramedics to check you for potential injuries. Many people don’t realize they are injured because of shock. After you’ve received any medical treatment as needed, take note of every detail while it’s still fresh in your memory. You can use your phone to record what happened, take photos, and report the incident.
Preventing Multi-Car Crashes
Although auto accidents can happen no matter how careful you are, there are some steps that you can take to avoid getting entangled in this situation:
- Always drive slowly if you’re on the road during a storm, blizzard, or severe weather.
- Many accidents can be prevented if you maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
- Make sure you pay attention whenever you’re behind the wheel.
- Never use cell phones or anything that can distract you, even if it’s just for a split second. Always keep your eyes on the road.
- Never drive when you are intoxicated, sleepy, or sick. You should be alert when you have your hands on the steering wheel.
Talk to your insurer if you’re at fault since your insurance policy may still help you pay for the damages. You can also contact a lawyer so that you know your rights when it comes to personal injury accidents.
