- September 14, 2024
- Tucker Law
- Car Accident Lawsuits
Car accidents can upend your life. They can cause significant injuries and may leave you with emotional trauma. If you’re in an accident in New York, you can recover some damages from your own insurance because the state follows no-fault laws, but if you suffer significant losses, you can choose to file a lawsuit against the liable party. That means, however, you must establish liability.
In a car accident in which one car hits yours and causes you to hit another vehicle, understanding chain reaction car accidents is essential if you want to prove that you deserve compensation.
At Tucker Lawyers, our team of New York car accident attorneys can help you file a claim after a complex collision. Learn more about chain reaction crashes and the factors that can determine fault in a New York multi-vehicle car accident.
Call Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 to speak with our experienced attorneys.
Understanding Chain Reaction Car Accidents
How They Occur and Why They Can Be So Complicated
A chain reaction accident, also called a multi-vehicle crash, is a car accident in which more than two vehicles are involved, usually in a rear-end collision. It results in a domino effect, with one vehicle hitting the car in front of them, causing it to hit the next car in line.
An example would be if car D fails to stop in time, hitting car C in front of them. The force of the hit sends car C crashing into car B, and so on. It may also occur if car A at the front stops abruptly and car B behind them doesn’t stop and rear-ends them. Car C may also be surprised by the abrupt stop and hit car B. An even more complicated chain reaction collision can involve car C hitting car B in front of them and sending it onto an intersection, where it’s hit by car A coming in the opposite direction.
Because of all of the vehicles involved, it’s not easy to determine who could be to blame in a chain reaction collision.
Factors Determining Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident
Determining fault in a chain reaction car accident isn’t simple. Most of the time, you’ll have to rely on negligence doctrines, which require you to demonstrate that the liable party owed you a duty of care that they breached, and it resulted in your injuries. That means first identifying who’s liable.
To do this, one of the factors that plays a significant role is the police report. A police officer will take statements from the people involved and witnesses. They will also take pictures. These steps make it easier for them to get a clearer idea of how the accident occurred. When an insurer looks at who’s responsible, they will put a lot of weight on the police report. Witnesses also play a significant role. They can give impartial accounts of how the accident began.
The type of accident can also provide clues as to who may be liable. If there’s a clear chain of cars that were rear-ended, it generally points to the last vehicle in the line being responsible.
When the Middle Driver May Not Be at Fault
If the middle driver was distracted and didn’t see the car in front of them stop, they could be liable, but there are many instances when they’re not at fault. If the car behind them doesn’t stop in time and hits them, the middle vehicle could crash into the car in front of them through no fault of their own.
There may also be instances when the car in front reverses, hitting the middle vehicle and causing the car behind it to get involved as well. The liable party is the front car. That could also happen if the driver of the front car was braking recklessly or the car’s tail lights weren’t working properly.
Legal and Insurance Implications of a Multi-Car Accident
Being in a multi-car accident means having to negotiate with many insurance companies if you choose to pursue a lawsuit against the liable party. The insurer of the person who’s at fault will try to pin the blame on others to keep from paying damages, so this can mean all manner of complicated back-and-forth talks.
Some accidents may also have multiple liable parties. If one person was texting while driving and came to an abrupt stop but the car behind them was following too closely, they both hold a degree of blame.
That’s one of the main reasons you need car accident lawyers to help you. At Tucker Lawyers, we have experience with complex multi-vehicle accidents and can help you get the fair compensation you deserve.
Our team has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for our clients.
Damages You Can Claim After a Chain Reaction Car Accident
Economic and Non-Economic Damages
If you suffer injuries serious enough to pursue a lawsuit in New York, you can claim compensatory damages. These include economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages focus on the financial losses you suffered. Those include medical expenses like hospital stays and rehabilitation therapies. If you need ongoing care, you can also receive damages for that. Economic damages cover lost wages, too. If you’re seriously injured, you will likely not be able to go to work and that means missing out on the income you would have made. You can claim salaries, commissions, and bonuses as part of lost wages. If you’re not able to return to work because of your injuries, you can also claim loss of earning potential.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate you for the non-financial losses you sustained. These include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and even loss of consortium if a loved one dies in the accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With New York Car Accident Lawyers
You don’t have to go through the aftermath of a multi-car accident on your own. At Tucker Lawyers, we have years of experience helping clients get the compensation they deserve. We’re just a phone call away.
Schedule a free consultation by calling us at (516) 399-2364.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]