Who May be Liable for a Chain Reaction Auto Accident?
Who May be Liable for a Chain Reaction Auto Accident?
Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm
on March 5, 2021 in Auto Accident Updated on February 24, 2022
A chain reaction accident occurs when more than two vehicles hit each other, generally in a series of rear-end collisions due to the force of impact from one of the vehicles. Because these types of accidents involve several drivers, there are additional factors to consider when determining liability.
Our experienced Sacramento car accident lawyers understand how liability for accidents like these may be determined and are prepared to help you pursue maximum compensation.
How is Fault Determined?
Fault is usually assigned to the party who was negligent, making them liable for the damages caused by the crash. When determining fault for a chain reaction accident, the attorneys and insurance companies may consider a variety of factors, such as:
Police Report – An official police report may help your attorney prove fault for a crash, even one as complex as a chain reaction accident. The responding police officer will review what happened and attempt to gather evidence, such as an assessment of damage to the vehicles involved, where all the vehicles came to a final resting place, and statements from all parties involved.
Witness Statements – Speaking to witnesses and taking down witness statements is also part of the responding officer’s job. However, you may also be able to take witness statements yourself at the scene of the crash. A witness may be able to point out a distracted or speeding driver that he or she observed before the collision. Be sure to write down the name and contact information of any witness who is willing to talk to you about what he or she saw.
Accident Reconstruction – When determining liability is highly complicated or credible witnesses were not present at the scene, it may be necessary to turn to an accident reconstruction expert. The expert may be able to determine who ultimately caused the initial collision that caused the rest of the accident.
Ultimately, the fault is determined by the evidence gathered from the scene of the accident, along with additional evidence that may be gathered after, such as traffic or surveillance camera footage showing what led up to the collision.
Sometimes, chain-reaction car accidents are caused by multiple drivers that share the liability for damages.
What if Multiple Parties are at Fault?
If the evidence from the accident reveals there are multiple drivers who acted negligently and caused the chain-reaction accident, then an injury victim may be able to file a claim against all responsible parties.
If you are found to be one of the negligent parties involved in the crash, your compensation award may be reduced because of California’s comparative fault laws. The amount your award will be reduced depends on the percent of fault assigned to you. If you are more at fault than one of the other parties, you cannot recover compensation from them.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one were injured in a chain-reaction car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, we may be able to help you file a claim for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the crash.
Our firm has helped injury victims in California recover millions in compensation for over four decades.
We offer a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to review your claim to determine how we may be able to help you. We do not charge fees up front or while we work to build your case, so there is no risk to you.
After a drunk driver hit me I wasn’t really sure what to do. A friend of mine Highly Recommended Arnold Law Firm, what a great recommendation it has been! The staff from lawyers to assistants has been nothing short of amazing. Always are calling and emailing me to update what is going on with your case. A very nerve racking thing to deal with personal injury and what comes from it. But with Arnold Law Firm you can rest knowing they are fighting for every inch for you. Need a law office? Look no further!
This firm is a joy to work with, they really care about their clients. Mr. Minney and Deena were wonderful to work with.
I am very grateful for the services I got from Arnold Law Firm! Everyone was great! Stephanie was awesome! Her dedication and perseverance were admirable! She was the person behind the success of my claim! I truly appreciate her in particular, and Arnold Law Firm staff, in general!
So far, we are very happy with Arnold Law Firm and the personal service we have received by Dominic Sandaval. We are looking forward to continuing this relationship through the remainder of our law suit.
Thank you, Gilbert and Joanne Joseph
Not just legal experts, The Arnold Law Firm and my case manager Stephanie Baffoni genuinely cares about you.
The Arnold Law Firm has a proven track record of success fighting for their clients and I am very thankful to have them supporting me during a very challenging time. What I did not expect is the level of compassion, partnership, and trust Stephanie and the team strives to achieve in what could have been a purely transactional relationship.If you want to be treated like a person, not a number, and know someone is looking out for your best interests, then look no further.