Chain reaction accidents occur when one rear-end collision affects a series of vehicles on the road. All it takes is one vehicle colliding with something in front of it, which ends up triggering other collisions involving cars behind it.
These kinds of accidents often result in a multiple car pileup that causes extensive property damage and injuries. Since multiple vehicles are involved in such accidents, it can be quite difficult to determine who is at fault. A party can be described as negligent if they failed to do something and that failure is what led to the accident.
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Determining The Negligent Party in a Multi-Car Accident Fault
Who pays in a multiple car accident?
The events before a chain reaction car accident have to be examined to identify the at-fault party. You have to examine what actions the at-fault party engaged in and how those actions caused the accident. In most cases, the first driver of the first car to collide is the one that has to bear responsibility. However, since Missouri is a comparative at-fault state, the other drivers involved in the collisions may be found to be partly at fault. For example, if you were driving too closely behind the at fault driver when the accident happened then you can be considered partly responsible for the accident.
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If you are found to be partly at fault for the accident, then you will not receive the full compensation that you would have received if the other driver was fully at fault. In such accidents, there has to be thorough investigations to ensure that any person that bears responsibility in the accident is identified. But there are many situations where only one driver is fully responsible for the accident. All you need is evidence to prove that you do not share fault with the negligent driver. For example, you cannot be expected to share fault if the vehicle behind you pushed you into the vehicle in front of you.
Getting The Evidence
Like all personal injury cases, you will need to present evidence in court to prove that a particular driver was at fault. The evidence can come in the form of:
- Police report on the accident
- Eyewitness accounts from you, passengers, and other drivers
- Physical damage on your vehicle
- Surveillance camera footage and more
- Evidence from accident scene such as skid marks and vehicle debris
Your lawyer can also help investigate the accident with the help of forensic or accident reconstruction experts. Once you present this evidence in court the judge and jury will use it to determine who the negligent party is.
Causes Of Chain Accidents
- Road hazards
- Speeding
- Bad weather
- Distracted driving
- Depression
- Reckless driving
- Reckless driving
- Defective car parts
In a situation involving defective car parts, you may be able to sue the manufacturer of those parts too. You need maximum compensation in such situations so that you can pay for all the accident related expenses you suffer without going bankrupt.
Common Injuries From Chain Accidents
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is at fault in a multi car rear end accident?
Determining fault is a matter of fact to be adjudicated by the court. There can be more than one person at fault depending on the circumstance, and fault can be partitioned depending on each actors level of negligence.
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m I liable if I was the middle car in a 3 car accident?
Liability will be adjudicated in court based on your actions taken and whether they contributed to any damages resulting from the accident.
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I was the last car in a 3 car pile up. Who is responsible?
It depends on what actions you took, or could have taken, to avoid the accident. Typically, fault is a matter of fact, to be determined by the court.
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