The year 2021 saw 66,988 car accidents happen in Houston. That’s approximately 184 car accidents a day. These scarily high numbers call for immediate measures. There is a unique type of car accident that’s more dangerous than the rest: Chain reaction car accidents.
Chain reaction car accidents can have different challenges when it comes to proving liability. This is why victims should consider hiring a Houston car accident lawyer, like Attorney Guss, to deal with a chain reaction car accident claim.
Read this article to understand the process of determining liability in a chain reaction car accident.
What is a Chain Reaction Car Accident?
A chain reaction car accident is a type of accident that involves three or more vehicles hitting each other in a series of collisions. It is also known as a pileup or multi-vehicle accident.
These accidents happen on highways where cars are traveling at high speeds. If one vehicle is involved in an accident, the vehicles behind it may not have enough time to react, becoming part of the collision.
Chain reaction car accidents can be devastating, resulting in serious injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage. It is important to know the causes of chain reaction car accidents to determine liability.
Common Causes of Chain Reaction Car Accidents
- Failure to yield
- Poor weather
- Distracted driving
- Brake failure
- Poor road conditions
- Driver inexperience
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Car maintenance issues
How Do You Determine Liability in a Chain Reaction Car Accident?
Determining who is at fault becomes more challenging in a chain reaction car accident, as there may be multiple at-fault parties. Usually, the driver who initiates the chain reaction by hitting the first vehicle is considered to be responsible for the injuries and damages caused by the subsequent accidents.
However, this may not always be the case, as other factors may also lead to the collision.
The following are some common scenarios in chain reaction car accidents, which can help in understanding liability.
Driver E is driving on a highway, but he was not paying attention to traffic signs. He was talking on his phone. He fails to notice that the car in front of him, driven by Driver F, has slowed down to make a turn. Driver E crashed into the rear of Driver F’s car.
Driver F was shocked by the sudden impact, and he lost control of his car. He swerved to the left, crossing the median line and entering the opposite lane. He collided head-on with another car, driven by Driver G, who was coming from the other direction. Driver G had no time to react or avoid the collision, and he was hit by Driver F’s car with great force.
Driver G had not made any mistake, but he was trapped and badly injured in his car.
In the above scenario, Driver F can file a cross-complaint against Driver E for causing the accident and Driver G for hitting his car. Driver F can seek compensation for the damages and injuries he suffered from both drivers.
Driver G can also file a cross-complaint against Driver E for being the negligent driver who caused the chain reaction. Driver G can claim damages for his injuries and property loss from driver E. Driver E cannot file a cross-complaint against anyone, as he was the one who started the accident.
The evidence helps decide the fault of each defendant. Sometimes, one of these defendants may argue that the plaintiff was also negligent. In such cases, the plaintiff may get a percentage of the fault too.
The compensation for the parties involved in the multi-car collision is based on the state where the accident happened and the degree of negligence of each driver.
Keep in mind that claimants get less compensation if they are partly at fault. Some states have two types of comparative negligence, such as pure and modified.
The compensation one receives will vary based on their level of involvement in the accident.
Final Thoughts
Proving liability is difficult in chain reaction car accidents. Since there are multiple drivers involved, finding the party responsible for paying for the losses and damages is going to be a tough task.
That’s why it is important to hire a car accident attorney. They can offer assistance in finding out who the liable party is and filing a car accident case against them.
