For instance, a driver might have been going over the speed limit on a rainy day. If so, you may have the right to recover compensation for your injuries. There may be more cars on the road due to evening rush hour traffic or poor visibility caused by the setting suns glare or inability to see clearly at night. Determining fault in a three-car or more highway accident can be complicated even though the action of one driver likely set it off. A traffic collision, also called a motor vehicle collision ( car crash in case cars are involved in the collision), occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Bus crashes into Philadelphia building, marking 4th SEPTA-involved All rights reserved. Report the accident to law enforcement: Most states require you to contact law enforcement in the event of an accident, especially one with injuries. Though Driver 2 and Driver 3 are each at fault, one could make the case that Driver 2 has the greater share of the fault due to how unsafe their behavior was at the moment. As the name would imply, this 3 car accident occurs when a vehicle malfunction is what led to the accident. Even if you feel that the at-fault driver in your 3 car accident has no option but to claim fault, dont be so sure. The bigger the vehicle youre driving, the more space is required to stop. Retrieved from, Stewart, T. (2022, March) Overview of motor vehicle crashes in 2020 (Report No. Some common causes of 3-car collisions include: Often, theres more than one reason why a crash happened. 27% were occupants of light trucks. Drivers may still be found at fault even in horrific weather if theyre not driving safely enough for the conditions. So, an insurance company will go with the findings of the reporting officer to determine if any of the drivers committed a traffic violation that directly or indirectly contributed to the accident. See below for an in-depth guide highlighting the several things that you need to know when you are involved in a 3 car accident. This is a crucial piece of documentation that can help you substantiate a traffic accident, personal injury, damage, and loss of property claim with your insurance company or in civil court proceedings. Have similar information for loved ones and pets on hand or easily available. On your own, it is difficult to determine fault in a three-car accident. SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco police are looking for the people involved in a dramatic crash that sent a car sailing over the Sanchez Street steps on Saturday night. If youre ever involved in a 3 car accident, hiring a car accident lawyer immediately after is the best strategy when pursuing an insurance claim or lawsuit. This guide on multi-car accidents explains the common causes for such collisions, how fault is determined and what you should know regarding your legal rights. If youve been in a 3-car collision, here are some simple steps you could take: Weve hinted a few times already that you may want to consider involving a car accident lawyer on your case. Factors that help determine fault are major driving violations, like speeding, driving under the influence and distracted driving. Get immediate medical help for any injuries. Make sure other children stay in the car when its safe, so they dont get injured. Who is legally at fault? It may also be possible to obtain video recordings from nearby CCTV cameras. The crash blocked northbound Highway 509 in the Tacoma Tideflats, by the port, for nearly . Your vehicle requires a certain amount of distance to come to a safe stop. Avoid speeding, particularly in congested areas or in inclement weather. In some cases, the rearmost driver isnt always to blame in such incidents. The reason here is simple. Exchange insurance information with the other drivers. Toni Matthews-El is a writer and journalist based in Delaware. Virginia Because of undesirable consequences such as higher premiums and missed work days to attend court, there may be the temptation to settle the matter outside of court. While financial restitution may be desirable, it is not always possible, as the defendant may lack the means to pay any significant amount of money. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? The case gets assigned to an adjuster, who reaches out for more information before coming to a decision. Keeping a cool head will make it easier to deal with the accident and its aftermath. If involved in an accident with multiple vehicles, wait until it is safe and then check on the other drivers. What Happens To Your Body During A Car Accident? Your first step should be to consult with an attorney. All of the information contained on this website is for general information only and is not legal, medical, or other professional advice. This might be the cloudiest of all 3 car accidents. Once they acknowledge the receipt of your request, theyll be in touch with you on how you can get it and inform you of the requisite fees you have to pay. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. Sometimes, its downright confusing, more so when multiple vehicles are involved. The minimum amount legally required to drive is known as state-minimum coverage. Statistically, the least safe time to drive is in the evening, with about 50% of fatal accidents happening at night. 1440 S Combee Rd, Drug deaths nationwide hit a record 109,680 in 2022, according to . In this instance, the manufacturer of the car part is at fault. However, it becomes even more complicated in a three-car crash. It is snowing, and the roads are icy. If they are distracted or swerve to avoid an object thrown from or falling off another car, the driver of that car may be partially responsible, but the driver who swerves or stops still may be, too. Which led to Driver 2 hitting him, then Driver 3 getting involved as well. Driver 4 attempts to apply their brakes, but due to the conditions and their speed, cant do so in time. While its appropriate to engage in small talk while waiting for the police, refrain from making admissions or blurting out youre sorry, even when you feel youre at fault. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. The crash . In these cases, the rear car is almost always considered to be at fault. In three-car accidents where fault is in question, an insurance adjuster investigating the case may find more than one driver caused the wreck. They crash into the back of Driver 1. 3 killed in Trans-Canada Highway crash near Jemseg | CBC News What Is Accident Forgiveness Car Insurance? Three people were killed in the crash early Tuesday afternoon on the Trans-Canada Highway near Jemseg, RCMP say. Depending on your policy, you may have roadside assistance, towing services, rental car coverage or other services available to assist you after an accident, says Passmore. 3 car accidents, or multiple car accidents, are sometimes referred to as chain-reaction car accidents as they typically involve one initial accident which then leads to another. If you lose a car accident lawsuit, you may be stuck paying any damages and settlement amounts determined through a trial. Its easy after a car accident to get distracted and make mistakes you otherwise would not with loved ones and pets that might lead to additional injury. Multi-car highway accidents can cause multiple fatalities, injuries, long-term disability and expensive damage to cars. These accidents usually happen because a driver fails to yield, either at a stop sign or for a red light at an intersection, as such, these drivers will typically be deemed at fault for the resulting crash. Here are some of the most common ways that chain reactions occur: The common factor in most chain reaction crashes is the presence of traffic congestion. She covered several beats during her newspaper career, including local and state news, features on prominent public officials and several years running a sports department. Retain an experienced car accident lawyer to contact the police on your behalf. And what that might entail for you moving forward. Remember that speeding doesnt just involve exceeding the posted speed limit, but also driving too fast for the conditions of the road. That process depends on where you live, since 18 states have no-fault insurance laws, and require that you have personal injury protection (PIP) on your policy to pay medical bills for injuries related to the accident, loss of income and other expenses no matter who is at fault. The manufacturer or distributor of defective vehicle parts that contributed to the cause of the crash. Updated: Feb 23, 2022 Car accidents are terrifying for anyone involved, whether they were the cause or a survivor. Tell them what you need corrected and provide documentary proof of the mistake. It is difficult enough to determine who is at fault in a car accident that only involves two vehicles. New York If youre involved in a multi-car accident, the first thing you need to do is file a police accident report as soon as possible. Receive a free consultation and discover your options. Speeding, following too close or distraction can all be reasons the driver of the middle car may be at fault in a three-car crash. You may or may not be responsible for hitting the car in front of you in a chain-reaction accident. Car Accidents: 10 Mistakes People Make - National Law Review This brings us to the last one. After you and your vehicle are in a safe place, check to see if you or anyone in your vehicle at the time of the accident has injuries. For instance, if your lawyer argues that other drivers shared enough fault in the accident, you may be able to bring the percentage of damages you are required to pay down by a significant margin; in some states, as little as 10% of fault on the part of the plaintiff might be enough to prevent them from effectively suing you for damages. The information on this site may be considered a lawyer referral service in some states. If you are not sure who caused your wreck, an accident reconstruction can prove who was liable. Stay calm and use emergency flashers to alert oncoming cars, says Robert Passmore, vice president of auto and claims policy at American Property Casualty Insurance Association. A multi-car accident is a collision involving multiple cars, such as a chain-reaction accident or a series of collisions leading to a pile-up accident.

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