Multi-car pileup accidents in California are easily some of the most dangerous and frightening situations drivers can face. Things like weather, speeding, and following too close can all contribute to these kinds of accidents, but so can distracted driving. Determining who is liable for a multi-car pile-up accident is tricky. While the at-fault driver in the initial collision typically bears primary responsibility, other drivers who fail to maintain safe distances, for example, may share liability. The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani will help clients navigate these complicated cases.
What Is a Multi-Car Pileup Accident?
A multi-vehicle collision in California is a type of accident involving three or more vehicles colliding, triggering a chain reaction of impacts. It usually begins with two cars hitting each other and involving other vehicles. These types of collisions usually happen on highways where speeds are high and driver reaction time is limited, but they can also occur on busy neighbourhood and city streets.
Common Causes of Multi-Car Pileups
Here is a list of the common causes of multi-car accidents seen in the personal injury and accident attorney offices of Jacob Emrani.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a huge safety concern in Los Angeles. According to a 2023 survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety, 74.2% of Californians say distracted driving, such as texting or calling while driving, is their top traffic safety concern. Public Health Los Angeles lists four different kinds of distracted driving:
- Manual: Hands off the wheel actions, including texting, eating, adjusting controls.
- Visual: Taking your eyes off the road to look at your phone, GPS, or something outside the car, for example.
- Cognitive: Distracted thoughts, such as thinking about something else or daydreaming.
- Auditory: Distracted by sounds, including loud music, phone alerts, noisy passengers.
Speeding and Tailgating
When drivers speed or tailgate at high speeds, they don’t leave themselves enough space to stop their cars safely. If the car ahead brakes suddenly, there’s simply no time to react, and boom, you’ve got a crash that could turn into a highway pileup accident.
Poor Weather or Visibility
Fog, heavy rain, or, in rare cases, snow in Los Angeles can create dangerous driving conditions. Heavy rain can cause skids and hydroplaning, causing a car to lose control. Weather also brings periods of poor visibility, shrinking a driver’s reaction time.
Sudden Braking
Sometimes a driver has to slam on the brakes, and if the car behind them is following too close, they can wind up rear-ending or side-swiping them, causing the vehicle to fly into, sometimes, oncoming traffic.
Reckless or Impaired Driving
Drunk or high drivers can make unexpected traffic maneuvers that catch other drivers off guard. This can trigger a multi-car pile-up.
Highway Congestion
We’ve all seen this in the movies. When traffic is bumper-to-bumper on a busy Los Angeles highway, and one car suddenly comes to an abrupt stop, other vehicles can crash into them, creating a domino effect.
Determining Fault in Multi-pile-up Accidents
Unlike a two-car accident, multi-car pileups involve different parties, and figuring out who’s at fault isn’t always straightforward. The driver who caused the initial crash is primarily liable, but there is usually more to the story. You see, California follows something called a comparative negligence rule that applies directly to multi-car pile-ups. Let’s dive in below.
How Liability Works in Chain-Reaction Crashes
Comparative negligence means multiple drivers share fault for a pileup. For example, the first driver may have been speeding, but the second driver could be texting, while the third was following too closely. Each driver takes a percentage of fault, which is important because this affects their multi-car crash compensation or how much they need to pay for damages.
The driver who starts the chain reaction typically bears the most responsibility and fault. However, if other drivers were negligent too, they are liable for any damages they also caused.
Challenges in Proving Liability After a Pileup
With so many vehicles involved, chain reaction car accident liability cases are difficult to investigate. You have witness statements, police reports, and traffic cameras that may conflict and only tell a part of the story. Insurance companies will always use these fragmented stories to minimize their clients’ liability or push for more fault against the other drivers.
Having an auto accident attorney in California, like Jacob Emrani, can help set the record straight. We make sure all evidence is thoroughly investigated and fight for our clients’ rights and compensation.
Steps to Take After a Multi-Vehicle Accident
If you’re involved in a multi-car pile-up, follow this guide:
- Step 1: Check yourself for injuries immediately and call 911 to report the crash.
- Step 2: Move to safety if possible, but do not flee the scene.
- Step 3: Take photos of all vehicles, damage, road conditions, and traffic signs.
- Step 4: Get contact information from other drivers and witnesses.
- Step 5: Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine.
- Step 6: Report the accident to your insurance company, but be careful about giving detailed statements before consulting Jacob Emrani.
It also helps to know the kinds of documents you need after a vehicle collision.
Compensation Available to Victims
Things like medical bills, property damage, lost wages, mental health, or long-term disabilities are all factors in determining compensation for multi-vehicle car pile-up victims. In crashes involving particularly reckless behavior like drunk driving, punitive damages might also be available to the victim. The total compensation depends on the severity of injuries, percentage of fault, available insurance coverage, and how well your case is presented. Again, all of these will be accounted for when you work with a professional freeway accident liability lawyer in California like Jacob Emrani.
Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Multi-car pileup cases are complex legal battles, and insurance companies have teams of expert adjusters and lawyers working hard to pay you as little as possible. You need someone equally skilled in fighting for your right to compensation.
At Jacob Emrani, we know how to investigate these multi-car crashes thoroughly, identify all liable parties, the amount of fault, and negotiate with multiple insurance companies simultaneously.
Let Jacob Emrani Fight For Your Rights
Multi-car pileups are chaotic and devastating events that leave victims injured, confused, and facing mounting medical bills. Understanding the common causes and how liability works is the first step toward protecting your rights. If you’ve been involved in a pileup, contact us today so we can get you back on track.