Crashes involving multiple vehicles are nothing like two-car crashes. There tend to be more serious injuries and more insurance companies involved.
Multi-vehicle crashes also involve multiple parties, combined fault, several injuries and multiple investigations. If you were involved in a crash with more than one driver, you need an experienced car accident lawyer to sort this mess out for you.
How do most multi-vehicle crashes happen?
Multiple vehicle crashes usually start with just two cars, but the impact of one crash can result in another. Here are some examples of how multi-vehicle crashes can happen:
- Rear-end collision — A driver rear-ends another vehicle at high-impact and causes a chain reaction of crashes. The car that gets hit from behind may get pushed into another car or pushed into an intersection and broadsided. Rear-end collisions can also result in pileups on high-speed roadways.
- T-bone crashes — T-bone crashes usually happen at signalized intersections or when drivers turn left at three-way intersections. They are caused by failure to obey traffic lights or stop signs, or to yield the right of way. A car that gets T-boned at an intersection can be pushed into another car or into the line of traffic.
- Crashes involving large trucks — Due to the size and weight of large semi-trucks, a single crash on a major roadway can cause massive damage. The aftermath of a truck crash can back up traffic for several hours and increase the risk of additional crashes.
- Head-on collisions — Head-on collisions occur when two cars collide into each other while traveling in opposite directions. The combined speed and impact in a head-on collision can send both cars in different directions, putting them directly in the line of traffic. Head-on collisions can also suddenly block roadways and lead to chain reaction collisions.
Who is at fault in a multi-vehicle accident?
A multi-vehicle crash can be caused by the negligence of one or more drivers. When more than two cars are involved, it could be difficult to determine who was at fault without a thorough investigation.
When filing a claim, it's important to understand the role of insurance companies in multi-vehicle crashes. Rather than compensate crash victims fairly, they would rather speed up the process and make each claim go away. They may attempt to accomplish this by:
- Shifting the blame onto you
- Convincing you that nobody was at fault
- Tricking you into accepting a small financial settlement
Should I speak to the insurance companies?
If you were involved in a multi-vehicle crash, it's best to refrain from speaking to any insurance company other than your own. You only need to report the crash to your insurance company. Keep it short and simple. Everything else should be handled by an experienced car accident attorney.
Laredo, Texas attorney John R. Solis can investigate your crash by:
- Surveying the crash scene
- Speaking to witnesses
- Obtaining surveillance video footage (if available)
- Obtaining a detailed police report
To get started, contact attorney Solis online or call 866-465-9093. Case evaluations are confidential and free of charge.