How Do Multi-Vehicle Accidents Differ from Other Types of Lawsuits?
In Florida, large trucks are prevalent on every roadway, and if you’re in an accident with multiple vehicles, including large trucks, you may be severely injured.
You and your passengers could take months or years to recover, and the bills and lost wages that accumulate can be enormous.
Therefore, if you must sue for financial compensation, your first task is determining who was at fault.
Most “regular” accident cases involve only one or two parties, and who caused the accident is usually fairly evident. The police typically cite the culprits. However, when many vehicles, including huge trucks, are involved, liability is far more challenging to determine.
Simply put, fault is usually determined in a multi-vehicle in Florida by considering and analyzing all the pertinent evidence before you can identify who’s responsible.
The evidence would include photographs of the accident scene, eyewitness statements, police and insurance company reports, expert witnesses, accident reconstruction specialists, and more.
In most cases, insurance companies, investigators, and law enforcement officers can take much time to examine a pileup in detail before assigning any fault.
These accidents are legally tricky and much more complex for your experienced personal injury lawyer to litigate.
You must note that in many of these cases, which include cars and large trucks, the fault is often attributed to more than one driver. There can be two or even more drivers who may share the blame for the accident. Also, when trucks are involved, injuries usually are worse, and the driver and their company could be named in a lawsuit.
So, the primary difference between so-called “regular accidents” and multi-car accidents is that your skilled, thorough, and knowledgeable Plantation personal injury lawyer will have to analyze all the combined evidence before deciding who to sue to get the compensation you deserve.
Once My Multi-Vehicle Accident is Investigated, How is Fault Determined?
Even when all the details of an accident are known, determining fault in multiple-vehicle accidents can be challenging. One driver may have started the pile-up, but still, many may be “at fault.”
If only one driver acts negligently, their actions can cause other drivers of trucks and cars to act irrationally.
For example, if a large truck hits a car from behind, its enormous weight can propel it in any direction, and multiple vehicles can veer out of control. This will start a “chain reaction” of events, possibly including dozens of cars and subsequent collisions.
When many vehicles are involved, the fault is usually attributed to various parties based on the circumstances of the incident.
The following are some common multi-car collision scenarios;
- Rear-end collisions – In rear-end accidents, if a driver rear-ends another vehicle, they are usually deemed at fault. Even in an accident, drivers should maintain a safe distance from other cars to prevent other collisions.
- Accidents at Intersections – Accidents at intersections can also be confusing. Stop lights, right-of-way, and driver negligence play significant roles, and fault can be accurately assessed by analyzing the circumstances.
- Chain reaction accidents – Large trucks and their sheer mass can play a prominent role in chain reaction accidents. Usually, three or many more vehicles can be involved with the forces involved. Here, fault initially may be attributed to the truck, but multiple drivers may be negligent, and their responsibility and liability may be determined and assessed accordingly.
- Lane change multi-car accidents – Many trucks use Florida’s highways, and if they change lanes irresponsibly, they may cause other vehicles to collide. Usually, the truck that changed lanes is considered at fault for the multi-car accident. However, different cars and trucks may share the responsibility and be named in a personal injury lawsuit.
These types of accidents are only a few scenarios that could occur. That said, you begin to see that if you are injured in a multiple-vehicle crash and rightfully deserve compensation to recover, the professional knowledge, diligent investigation, and thorough follow-up of your Plantation personal injury lawyer is mandatory.
Are Trucks Usually Involved in Multi-Vehicle Accidents, and Why?
There are many reasons that trucks cause or are included in multi-car accidents in Florida. For one, trucks are on the road for far more time. Also, their size and difficulty in handling them give them the potential to cause a multiple auto-accident catastrophe.
Just some of the reasons truck drivers (and others) cause these disastrous collisions are;
The various causes can include:
- Numerous distractions—Truck drivers can become distracted by many things, such as routes, road hazards, time constraints, etc. They may also take their eyes off the road while eating, drinking, or reaching for something.
- Drowsiness and fatigue – Truck drivers go for hours without stopping to be on time. Some might attempt to drive without enough sleep. Fatigued drivers can nod off at the wheel for just a moment and cause a chain of collisions before they wake up.
- Bad Road Conditions – Inclement weather, such as fog, heavy rain, or blowing snow, can contribute to multi-vehicle pileups. Heavy trucks can’t stop as fast or maneuver quickly and can easily lose control in bad weather conditions.
- Recklessness and driving too fast – Irresponsible drivers who speed, weave in and out of traffic, or follow too closely may contribute to collisions. Trucks may attempt to avoid these vehicles and lose control.
The above are only a few reasons that cause multi-even vehicle collisions and the subsequent severe injuries they cause. These injuries, especially if you’ve been hit by a truck, can be life-changing. Yes, finding fault in a multi-vehicle crash can indeed be a challenging legal task. Still, with the right Plantation personal injury lawyer experienced in these situations, you can get the funds you need to recover and move on with your life.
So, When Fault is Determined, Who Will Pay for My Injuries?
You now see that although it is difficult, with an experienced, diligent, communicative, and respected personal injury lawyer, it is possible to determine fault in multi-vehicle accidents and sue for the compensation you need and deserve.
However, this process often involves multiple lawsuits involving more than one insurance company, making it a complex case to file correctly.
You must know that Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state. Each driver’s personal injury protection (or PIP) usually covers their medical costs. However, in cases where the injuries are severe or meet specific criteria, an “at fault” driver’s insurance may be responsible for providing you with additional compensation, but this still may not be nearly enough to cover your expenses.
Therefore, in almost all multi-vehicle accidents, you must file a lawsuit for the compensation you need and rightfully deserve.
My Family Has Been in a Multi-Vehicle Crash; What Should I Do Now?
Usually, in Florida, multi-vehicle accidents invariably present unique legal challenges when finding fault and assessing liability. In these typically horrific cases, having a knowledgeable, trusted, experienced, and empathetic multi-vehicle accident lawyer on your side is always the first and best path to follow.
The Plantation based truck and multi-vehicle accident lawyers at Piedra Injury Law have a long and successful history representing Florida residents in these legally complex cases. They have the resources and professional diligence to provide you with the investigative analysis these cases require so that you and your family have the funds needed to recover and thrive.
Call them today at 786-305-3658 for a free case evaluation. They are well-versed in these complex cases, will tirelessly protect your rights, and do whatever is necessary to obtain the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
