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Who May be Liable for a Chain Reaction Auto Accident?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
chain reactionA 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.

Call us today at (916) 777-7777

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.