Chain Reaction Accidents and Proving Fault in Pittsburgh, PA
January 14, 2019
No matter how long you’ve been driving it’s likely you’ve heard of a chain reaction crash. You might have even been involved in one or have witnessed one. Either way, these crashes are incredibly dangerous to all those involved, especially those who are inexperienced drivers or those who like to ride motorcycles. Chain reaction accidents, also known as multi-vehicle crashes, can be very dangerous. It doesn’t matter if they occur at high rates of speed or slow speeds, these crashes can lead to serious injuries and even death.
What is a Chain Reaction Accident in Butler, PA?
In case you’ve never witnessed or experienced one, a chain reaction accident is one in which the last vehicle in a line of vehicles crashes into the rear of the vehicle in front of it. This then winds up getting worse because the vehicle that was struck slams into the vehicle in front of it and the accident just keeps happening. The only way for a chain reaction crash to stop is for there to be plenty of space in between the final vehicle that was struck and the vehicle in front of it. That’s why when these accidents happen on clogged highways they typically involve dozens of vehicles.
What to Do if Involved in a Uniontown, PA Chain Reaction Accident
You could wind up being quite confused in the moments following a chain reaction accident. This is not uncommon. You will realize soon how many people you need to speak with following the accident. Make sure you exchange information with every other driver involved in the chain reaction accident. This is important because the liability in the accident could wind up being spread among every single vehicle involved in the crash, not just one or two.
Make sure you call 911. Do not assume that someone else called in the crash because it was so extensive. Check on others in your car and others around you for any injuries. If you are not seriously injured, you should take pictures of the accident scene. Snap pictures of your vehicle, debris, your injuries, evidence, road signs and signals and the weather conditions.
Determining Fault in a Chain Reaction Accident in Pennsylvania
Determining fault in a chain reaction accident can be one of the most difficult things to do for anyone involved in the crash and the subsequent accident. Even though you might think that the fault is cut and dry and pointed at one driver, but this is not always the case. There are other factors that go into determining the amount of fault placed on one or multiple drivers. These factors can include construction, road debris, impaired or distracted drivers, reckless or aggressive drivers, drowsy drivers, the weather and the traffic volume.
A large number of chain reaction accidents wind up going to trial so a jury can decide who is at fault and how much blame is assigned to which defendant. It’s possible that multiple defendants will have to share in the liability from the chain reaction crash, which means their insurance companies will have to pay different amounts to the victims of the crash.
Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Chain Motor Vehicle Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a chain car accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party, or their insurance company, to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side and fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients injured because of chain motor vehicle accidents in Pittsburgh, Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Uniontown, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call us today at (412) 766-1455 or email us to schedule a consultation. Our main office is located at 3634 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
