If a car accident only involves one or two vehicles, it can be relatively straightforward to determine which party is at fault. However, when several vehicles are involved, it can be difficult to determine who is to blame. Ultimately, who is at fault in a multi-vehicle accident will depend on how your collision occurred. The police report, traffic camera footage, and photos of the accident scene could prove fault for your accident. You may elect to work with a personal injury lawyer throughout the financial recovery process.
EXAMPLES OF NEGLIGENCE
There are many different types of negligence that can result in an accident.
One or more drivers may have acted negligently in your situation by:
SPEEDING
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding caused the deaths of nearly 10,000 people in 2018. In a multi-vehicle accident, even if speeding does not cause the initial crash, it may cause subsequent accidents. For instance, if there is a car accident in the middle of the road, and someone is not following the speed limit, they could crash into the already incapacitated vehicles.
BEING DISTRACTED
Distracted driving continues to be a major problem on many roadways throughout the country and in Texas.
Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver away from the task of driving, including:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Looking out the window
- Talking with passengers
- Looking at anything other than the street in front of them
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting the vehicle’s entertainment system
When drivers are distracted, they may not notice a crash in front of them until it is too late to avoid it.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL
According to the NHTSA, 10,511 people died in alcohol-related accidents in 2018. This represented nearly one-third of all traffic accident fatalities for that year.
Drugs and alcohol may impair a person’s ability to drive by:
- Impairing their judgment
- Lowering their inhibitions
- Making them drowsy
- Adversely affecting their vision
- Dulling their senses
- Impairing the gross and fine motor skills necessary to operate a vehicle
Drunk driving is a crime, per the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
NOT FOLLOWING TRAFFIC RULES
All states have specific laws to regulate traffic.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) sets out the various rules of the road, including:
- The speed at which to operate your vehicle
- Your responsibility to maintain your vehicle in a safe condition
- When you must yield to the right-of-way to other motorists or pedestrians
- Your obligation to follow traffic lights and other indicators
If a driver violates one or more of these rules and causes an accident, they could be found at-fault for a crash.
For a free legal consultation, call 877-239-4878
EVIDENCE TO ESTABLISH FAULT IN A MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT
To show that one or more drivers were at fault for your multi-vehicle accident, you may need to present evidence of negligence.
Some common forms of evidence that are used to support claims in multi-vehicle accidents include:
- Cell phone footage recorded at the accident scene
- Photos of the accident scene
- Media coverage of the accident scene (if available)
- Whether a traffic citation was issued
- The police report
- Eyewitness statements
- Footage from surveillance cameras at nearby businesses, dash cams, or traffic cameras
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert
- The point of impact and damage to each vehicle
- Cell phone records
- Medical records
You may be able to utilize other forms of evidence than those listed here.
HOW A LAWYER CAN HELP
Multi-vehicle accident cases can get complicated.
Many accident victims choose to enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer who can:
- Investigate the accident
- Interview parties and witnesses
- Hire an accident reconstruction expert, if necessary
- Explain your legal rights
- Gather evidence of liability and your damages
- Calculate the full extent of your damages
- Communicate with the insurance company
- Supply necessary information to the insurance company
- Negotiate a settlement
- Recommend whether a settlement offer is fair or if you should consider other legal action
Multi-vehicle accidents may involve multiple insurance companies. Their representatives may try to deflect liability elsewhere to avoid paying your claim. When you work with a personal injury lawyer, they can work with the insurance company so you can focus on your personal wellbeing.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today
CONTACT OUR TEAM TODAY FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving multiple vehicles, the legal team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help. We can investigate your claim and determine who is at fault in a multi-vehicle accident. We will also handle communications with the insurance company while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Get the process started by calling us at (877) 239-4878. Your first consultation is offered at no cost to you, and there is no obligation.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
