You do not want to be caught in a multi-car accident. If several tons of twisted metal wasn’t enough of a deterrent, there are numerous points of impact and a massively increased risk of severe injuries. The complexity of multi-car accidents also makes determining liability a more challenging task. How exactly do you determine who to blame in an accident involving three or more cars?
There are several forms of negligence that can lead to a multi-car accident, and fault may be shared between multiple drivers. Accordingly, if you suffer such a crash, then it is crucial to seek help from legal representation right away. A NYC car accident lawyer can investigate your accident and determine who is at fault. Furthermore, they can help build your potential claim for compensation.
Determining Who is to Blame for Your Multi-Car Accident
Any driver whose negligence contributed to a multi-car accident can be considered at-fault for the crash. There are several types of careless and reckless behavior that can produce a multi-car accident. For instance, the following are all examples of negligent conduct exhibited by at-fault motorists:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a common form of negligence that can lead to multi-car accidents. When drivers are not fully focused on the road because of activities like texting, talking on the phone, or using GPS devices, their reaction times are significantly impaired.
A distracted driver may collide with another vehicle and set off a chain reaction as other drivers cannot react in time to avoid the initial collision. In multi-car accidents, several drivers may be distracted, compounding the risk of severe collisions.
Speeding
Speeding is another major contributor to multi-car accidents. When driving above the speed limit or too fast for road conditions, the ability to stop or maneuver is compromised. If one speeding driver fails to slow down in time, they may rear-end another vehicle, triggering a domino effect as cars collide one after the other. Speeding drivers are often unable to avoid the accident due to their high velocity.
Running Red Lights
Running red lights is a blatant form of negligence that frequently leads to multi-car accidents. When a driver disregards a red traffic signal and enters an intersection, they put themselves and others at great risk.
Multi-car accidents caused by red-light runners often occur because vehicles in cross-traffic have the right of way when their light turns green. The red-light runner’s vehicle may collide with one or more vehicles in the intersection, setting off a chain reaction of collisions.
Changing Lanes Illegally
Illegal lane changes, such as not signaling or failing to check blind spots, can lead to multi-car accidents. When a driver switches lanes abruptly or without proper caution, they can collide with a neighboring vehicle. This initial collision can then result in a series of accidents as other drivers struggle to avoid the crash or are caught in the ensuing chaos. Illegal lane changes disrupt the flow of traffic and increase the chances of multiple vehicles becoming involved in an accident.
What Happens When Fault is Shared for a Multi-Car Accident?
Why assign blame to one when we can blame all? There are situations where fault is shared for multi-car accidents. For instance, a pileup on a highway may occur because one driver was speeding while another was tailgating their vehicle. Further, fault may be shared where multiple drivers involved in an accident were distracted. We do tend to spend a lot of time on our phones…
If you share fault for your multi-car accident in New York City, then you may still pursue payment for the harm you sustained. However, the amount of damages you can recover in a car accident lawsuit will be limited.
Courts in New York abide by the doctrine of “contributory negligence.” This means that damages in car accident cases are apportioned based on parties’ percentages of blame. For example, if you are considered 10% responsible for your multi-car accident while another driver is 90% at fault, then they will have to pay for 90% of your damages while you must account for the leftover 10%.
Negligent drivers will often try to shift blame for their accidents so that they may avoid paying for certain damages. Accordingly, if you suffer a multi-car crash, then you should hire legal assistance as quickly as possible. An experienced attorney will help build your case and fight for the compensation you are owed.
