How Do Cases Involving Multiple Cars Work?

Unlike cases involving a single car or two vehicles, multiple car accidents can be challenging in regards to
determining liability. Especially, if the crash is a multi-car pile-up or involves other types of negligence, such
as bad weather or a company vehicle.

If you’ve been injured in a multiple car accident and need help understanding liability in multi-vehicle accidents or
how to file a multi-car accident claim in your state, in this FAQ, we’ll offer an overview of the multiple car
accident claim process. If you have questions about your specific multi-car accident case or want to learn more
about our firm, Burger Law, call our car accident claim attorney in St. Louis at (314) 500-HURT. We don’t charge any
fees for consultations, and never ask for any attorney fees unless we win damages for your case.

Common Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Multi-vehicle accidents, also known as “chain reaction” crashes, typically occur when one vehicle hits another from
behind, causing it to hit the vehicle in front of them, and so on. Multi-car accidents occur most often in bad
weather conditions, such as rain and snow, and typically involve multiple types of negligence, including speeding,
drunk driving, and distracted driving.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2018 alone, there were 17,079 fatal accidents in the U.S. involving multiple vehicles.
Multi-vehicle crashes can happen in a number of ways, but the most common types of chain reaction crashes include:

• Rear-End Collisions – when one vehicle hits another vehicle on the highway or at an intersection from
  behind, a rear-end multi-vehicle crash could occur
• Sideswipe Accidents – distracted driving, icy roads, and other negligent driving conditions can cause
  drivers to swerve into another lane, and consequently, another vehicle, resulting in a sideswipe accident that
  could affect one or more vehicles
• Rollover Accidents – if a car or truck rolls over, and other vehicles don’t see the stalled vehicle, this
  could cause a multi-vehicle pileup

After a multi-car accident, it’s essential to collect evidence, involve the police, and swap information with all
parties involved. Evidence can quickly deteriorate after an accident, especially accidents involving multiple
vehicles, but immediately filing a police report ensures that evidence is preserved.

During this time, you’ll also need to hire a car accident lawyer in St. Louis to represent your case. Each party
involved in the accident likely has an insurance agent and a lawyer whose job is to negotiate the best settlement
for their client. Having an attorney by your side during this time offers protection from insurance agents, lawyers,
and other tactics from parties involved.

Liability in Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Liability is clear in some types of multi-vehicle accidents, such as rear-end and stop sign accidents. Generally, in
these types of accidents, the at-fault party is the second vehicle in the chain. However, in other types of
multi-vehicle accidents, it can be challenging to determine who is responsible. After a multi-vehicle collision,
it’s essential to gather proof of the accident and proof of your injuries and call an attorney to determine
liability in the accident.

Depending on a state’s negligence laws, and liability in the accident
(one at-fault party, two at-fault parties), you may or may not be able to sue for damages. Some states (at-fault
states) allow more than one party to recover compensation that’s commiserate to the level of fault in the accident,
while other states (no-fault states) don’t let either party sue for damages, even if one person is solely to blame
— all claims must be filed against your own insurance policy.

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”

Schedule a free case evaluation here.

Gary Burger

Litigation attorney

Whose Insurance Pays in a Multi-Car Accident?

Depending on the circumstances that led to the car accident, you may be able to initiate a legal claim against several parties. If multiple parties are to blame for an accident, their insurance providers will share the financial burden of accident-related losses.

Evidence plays a crucial role in determining whether to hold one or more parties accountable. These investigations into multi-car accidents can be quite complicated, and you want a professional handling the process. Your car accident lawyer has the resources to investigate to determine all liable parties and gather evidence to prove which insurance companies should pay for your losses. 

Once they make this determination, your lawyer can then handle the complex process of filing and managing multiple auto insurance claims on your behalf. 

Related article: Whose Insurance Pays In a Multi-Car Accident?

Joint and Several Liability for Car Accidents

Joint and several liability means that if multiple parties are found responsible for causing an accident, each party can be held fully responsible for the damages. This means that the injured party can choose to pursue compensation from any or all of the at-fault drivers involved.

In a multi-vehicle car accident, joint and several liability can be especially beneficial for the injured party. They can hold each negligent driver accountable, increasing their chances of receiving full compensation for their injuries, property damage, and other losses.

Joint and several liability does not necessarily mean that each driver involved is equally responsible for the accident. Liability can be apportioned based on each driver’s negligence or degree of fault. For example, if one driver is found to be 60% at fault and another driver is found to be 40% at fault, the injured party can potentially recover 100% of their damages from either driver. Then, the insurance companies will recover money from one another behind the scenes.

These are complicated legal issues best left to your St. Louis car accident attorney. 

How to Prove You’re Not At-fault in a Multi-Car Accident

Proving you are not at fault ensures you get full compensation. This requires a strategic approach and reliable evidence. Fortunately, with the help of a skilled attorney, you can increase your chances of being found not at-fault.

Evidence to prove your absence of fault can include:

• Accident scene photos and analysis
• Witness testimony
• Police reports and citations against the other drivers
• Video surveillance footage
• Expert analysis, such as accident reconstruction

By working with an experienced attorney, you can create a strong case and increase your chances of proving you did not share in the fault for the multi-vehicle crash. This can be a difficult task when multiple parties are pointing fingers at one another. 

Always consider hiring a St Louis car accident attorney who can apply their skills and resources to protect you against unnecessary liability and ensure you obtain compensation for your injury-related losses. The sooner you consult our firm, the sooner we can begin gathering proof of liability and ensuring you do not miss any critical deadlines in your case.

Recoverable damages for multi-car accidents differ for each case, but with proof of the accident and proof of your
injuries, your multi-car accident lawyer in St. Louis can make sure that you recover compensation for all damages
attributed to the accident, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. If you were the victim
of an accident involving multiple cars, Burger Law provides the highest quality legal representation to car accident
victims in Missouri. If you have questions about the legal process for multiple car accident claims,
call or contact our personal accident lawyers in St. Louis at (314) 500-HURT. We don’t charge any
fees for consultations, and never ask for attorney fees unless we win damages for your case.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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