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Who Is Liable for Accidents Involving Multiple Cars?

Car accidents are dangerous, but car accidents involving multiple cars are more so. Additionally, accidents involving multiple cars get more complicated accident claims. Because obtaining just compensation is so important to recovering your health and well-being, working with a reputable Clearwater car accident attorney is strongly advised.

Rear-End Accidents

When the accident in question is a rear-end accident, the rear-most driver is often at fault. For example, if the rear-most driver is distracted and a slow-down ahead (regardless of its cause) doesn’t register with him or her, the distracted driver will likely be determined liable for the chain-reaction of damage caused by striking the closest forward car from behind. It’s important to note, however, that other motorists in the chain may share the blame.

If, for instance, one of the drivers could have prevented hitting a forward vehicle, though he or she had no ability to avoid being hit from behind, this driver may also be implicated. In other words, multiple car accidents can become very complicated very quickly. Generally, multi-car pile-ups that are predicated on an initial rear-end accident are caused by that backmost driver. One exception, however, is when a forward driver comes to an abrupt halt for no reason and with no warning.

Multi-Car Accidents that Aren’t Rear-End Accidents

Not every multi-car accident is based on a rear-end pileup. Sometimes, cars coming from several different directions or lanes crash into one another – or a two-car accident leads to a multiple-car accident as oncoming traffic bears down on the initial crash. Intersections are especially prone to this brand of multi-car crashes. These accidents can result in serious injuries, and it can be difficult to decipher liability.

Factors that Can Play a Role

Factors that can play a significant role in the determination of liability in multi-car accidents include all of the following:

  • Whether any of the driver’s involved violated a traffic law, which can help mitigate the rear driver’s liability in a rear-end pileup
  • The condition of the road at the time of the accident and whether the drivers accommodated for any adverse effects, including slowing down appropriately for the effects of inclement weather
  • Whether a left turn was involved
  • Where the accident happened
  • Information included in the police report and whether or not any citations were issued
  • Eyewitness testimonies
  • The location and extent of the damage to the involved vehicles
  • Any available video surveillance and/or videos or photos taken at the accident scene
  • The position of the vehicles in the aftermath of the accident

If the accident is very complicated, accident-scene recreation will likely be necessary. 

Turn to an Experienced Clearwater Car Accident Attorney Today

Multi-car accidents are exceptionally dangerous, and their attendant claims tend to be especially complicated. The practiced Clearwater car accident attorneys at Tragos, Sartes & Tragos have a wealth of experience guiding cases like yours toward optimal outcomes, so please don’t wait to contact us online or call us at (727) 441-9030 for more information about how we can help you today.