3-Car Accident: Who Is at Fault?

Statistically, multi-vehicle accidents are more dangerous than two-vehicle crashes. Why? Because there are more vehicles involved, which increases the impact points. These accidents often occur on highways or major roads where vehicles are traveling at higher speeds. Three-way car accidents can trigger a domino effect and chain-reaction accident. The force of multiple impacts can result in more severe injuries to accident victims, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal bleeding.

If you or your loved one were in a 3-car accident, you may have the right to file a car accident claim against the responsible parties. The Munley Law car accident lawyers have won millions for our clients, including a $17.5 million car accident settlement. We offer a free initial consultation where we will provide a reasonable assessment of your claim. Fill out our online contact form or call today to schedule your consultation.

What Are Chain Reaction Crashes?

Chain reaction crashes occur when a collision between two motor vehicles causes a domino effect, adding additional vehicles to the car crash. They usually happen when an initial crash occurs. The impact from that initial collision causes one or both vehicles involved to veer into other nearby vehicles, leading to secondary car accidents. This pattern continues as each crash triggers another crash, potentially involving multiple motor vehicles in a very short period of time.

Many chain reaction collisions happen in one of three ways:

• A car rear-ends the car that’s traveling in front of it. The force of the impact causes the car that’s just been rear-ended to rear-end the vehicle in front of it, sandwiching the first car that was hit. It causes a three-car rear-end collision.
• A car rear-ends the car in front of it. Due to the sudden halt, the car behind the first could not stop in time to avoid the accident, and it hit the first car, which caused the initial collision. In this case, the car that initially caused the rear-end accident is sandwiched between two vehicles.
• The third scenario is that a driver loses control of their car and causes a multiple-vehicle accident.

Common Injuries in a Three-Car Accident

Common injuries in a three-car accident include:

• Head and neck injuries (including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries that result in paralysis).
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries ,including bleeding and organ damge
• Burns
• Lacerations and bruising
• Amputations

Causes of Multi-Car Accidents

Sometimes accidents are just that – accidents. However, too many car accidents occur because of driver error and driver negligence. In fact, the National Safety Council reports that 18% of crashes happen because the driver was speeding,  8.3% of accidents occur because of careless driving, and 6.9% of motor vehicle accidents happen because drivers fail to yield the right of way.

The most common causes of multi-car accidents are:

Speeding

Speeding is a major factor in many multi-car accidents. When vehicles travel at high speeds, there is less time to react to hazards on the road. This increases the likelihood of rear-end crashes, sideswipes, and other types of accidents. In addition to causing three-way car accidents, higher speeds can result in more severe injuries and fatalities.

Distractions

Distracted driving is another common cause of three-car accidents. Distractions take s a driver’s attention away from the road, such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or applying makeup. When drivers are distracted, they may not be able to see or react to hazards in time to avoid hitting them or getting out of the way.

Alcohol impairment

Drunk driving is, unfortunately, still a major problem across the United States and a significant factor in many multi-car accidents. Alcohol-impaired drivers lack good judgment, coordination, and quick reaction time. This can make it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles, leading to three-way accidents.

Weather

Adverse weather conditions can also be a factor in multi-car accidents. Rain, snow, fog, and other types of bad weather can reduce visibility and make roads slippery. Severe weather can make it difficult for drivers to see other cars or maintain control of their vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.

Who’s to Blame in a Chain-Reaction Crash?

Determining the liable party in a multi-car accident case can be quite complicated. Here’s how an experienced car accident attorney will determine the at-fault party:

• The driver who caused the initial collision is typically liable for the subsequent chain reaction of crashes.
• If a driver’s reckless or negligent actions contributed to the crash, they may share liability.
• Bad weather may lessen a driver’s liability if the poor conditions impact their ability to control the vehicle.
• If a mechanical failure contributed to the crash, the vehicle’s owner or manufacturer might be partially liable for the three-car crash.

Depending on the state you live in, you may have to follow contributory negligence laws or comparative negligence laws.

The contributory negligence rule bars an injured victim from recovering financial compensation if he or she contributed to the accident — even just 1%.

Comparative negligence allows the injured victim to recover compensation for their injuries. However, their percentage of fault will be deducted from the compensation for damages. So, if it is found that you contributed 30% to the accident and the judge awarded $100,000 in compensation, you would only secure $70,000 of those damages.

An experienced car accident lawyer in your area will know which rule applies to your personal injury claim. Ask about their legal strategy to secure maximum compensation for your injuries during the initial consultation.

How to Prove What Happened in a Multi-Car Crash

Once the liable parties are determined, your personal injury lawyer will begin their independent investigation of the complex accident scene.

They will use eyewitness testimony and photographic evidence of the damaged vehicles, skid marks, and road conditions. Your personal injury attorney will obtain a copy of the police report from the responding officer and review the report for accuracy. Your lawyer will make sure it accurately reflects the circumstances surrounding the three-way car crash.

The Munley Law car accident lawyers will hire an accident reconstruction expert, medical experts, and other legal minds. If any video evidence is available, including dash cam footage or traffic camera footage, your attorney will include that in your case.

What Should I Do After a 3-Car Accident?

The first few minutes, hours, and days after a scary car accident are chaotic. Your adrenaline is pumping, and you may not be thinking clearly. Read over these tips for a few steps that will help ensure your safety, protect your long-term health, and make a positive impact on your car accident claim.

• First, check for injuries and call 911. The responding police officer will get the proper medical personnel to the accident scene and begin a police report.
• If your injuries are taken care of, start documenting the accident. Take video and pictures of your vehicle, injuries, property damage, and other vehicles involved.
• If there are eyewitnesses to the scene, take down their contact information and their statements. If the other drivers allow, take down their names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance company information.
• Next, contact a Munley Law auto accident attorney. Take this step before you contact the insurance company. Your lawyer should be present when you report the accident to the insurance companies.
• Once you report the accident to the insurance company, work with your attorney to start the claims process. The statute of limitations clock starts ticking from the day of the accident. It’s in your best interest to begin the process of a personal injury lawsuit as soon as possible.

Do You Need a Rear-end Accident Lawyer?

While it’s not always necessary to hire a car accident lawyer for a 3-car accident, the chances of recovering the highest compensation  significantly increase when you have an expert legal advocate.

The car accident attorneys at Munley Law will help you through the legal process, gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and represent you in court if necessary. Call today for your free consultation with a leading personal injury attorney who can help you recover the compensation you deserve.