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What Accident Victims Need to Know About Multi-Vehicle Crashes

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
tan car after serious accidentWhen an accident involves more than two vehicles, it can be difficult to determine which driver was responsible for the crash, or if more than one driver contributed to the collision.

Causes of Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Driver errors, road conditions and other factors can cause multiple vehicle accidents. Other common causes of multi-vehicle crashes include:
  • Distracted driving – Cellphones, GPS systems, passengers, radios and other factors can take a driver’s mind and eyes off the road and hands off the wheel. Losing focus on driving for even a few seconds can dramatically increase the risk of a collision.
  • Impaired driving – Consuming alcohol or drugs can lower inhibitions and change perceptions, causing a driver to drift out of his or her lane, travel at an unsafe speed, or engage in other reckless driving behaviors that have the potential to cause a multi-vehicle crash.
  • Drowsy driving – When a driver falls asleep behind the wheel, his or her vehicle may drift through multiple lanes of traffic. Other vehicles may be sideswiped or hit, causing a chain reaction that leads to a multi-car pileup. Drowsy driving caused 5,000 deaths in 2015 alone.
  • Speeding – At high speeds, a driver has less time to respond to road hazards and can lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident.
  • Weather – Many drivers fail to adjust their driving for inclement weather conditions, increasing danger. When it snows or rains, or if there is ice on the road, vehicles lose traction and visibility can be reduced, increasing the likelihood of a collision.

Who Is at Fault?

There are many factors that determine which parties are at fault in a multi-vehicle accident, including whether impairment or distraction played a role in the accident. At the Arnold Law Firm, our investigation involves many steps to gather the necessary evidence to support your case, such as:
  • Interviewing drivers and passengers involved
  • Reviewing accident scene photos
  • Using accident reconstruction technology
  • Conducting witness interviews
  • Examining traffic and red-light camera footage
  • Inspecting vehicle damage
  • Reviewing police accident reports

California’s Comparative Negligence Law

Sometimes, multiple parties can be held liable for a multi-vehicle accident. These situations are governed by California’s pure comparative negligence doctrine, which determines financial responsibility for damages caused by the crash. Under this law, each liable party is financially responsible for his or her percentage of fault. This means, if someone is 20 percent liable the accident, he or she must pay for 20 percent of the victim’s damages. The comparative negligence law also explains what to do if a victim is partially at fault for the crash. In these situations, your compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but are found 20 percent liable for the accident, your award will be reduced by $20,000, totaling a final award of $80,000.

Contact Our Lawyers for Help

If you were injured in a multi-vehicle accident, consult the skilled Sacramento car accident attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm. We help victims in many types of car accidents pursue compensation for their injuries. Our attorneys will investigate your claim and determine the parties who may be responsible for the injuries you sustained. Request a free, no obligation consultation to have your case reviewed by our attorneys. We will determine what legal options are available in your situation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs to you – you only pay if we recover compensation in your case.

Call (916) 777-7777 or complete our Free Case Evaluation form now.

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.