Multi-vehicle car accidents, often called chain reaction collisions, occur when at least three vehicles are involved in a series of sequential impacts with each other. One vehicle usually hits another and a domino effect from the first collision’s force starts, causing the struck vehicle to become involved in another collision. Often, a pileup occurs. In situations like these, where drivers usually aren’t expecting the collisions to occur, it’s common to see severe or fatal injuries. These accidents also usually occur due to at least one driver’s negligent behavior. If you were injured in an accident in or around Menifee, you should contact a Menifee Chain Reaction and Multi-Vehicle Accident Attorney to see if you may be entitled to compensation.
Risk of Injury in Menifee Chain Reaction and Multi-Vehicle AccidentsThe unexpected nature of multi-vehicle accidents means drivers are often unprepared for multiple impacts in a short period of time and can sustain severe injuries from the force of these collisions. In early 2019, three vehicles collided at the intersection of Newport and Evans Roads resulting in hospitalizations and an overturned vehicle. The crowded roads, high speed limits on major roads and freeways, busy intersections, and common unsafe motorist behavior like distracted driving and tailgating all contribute to an elevated risk of chain reaction collisions and trauma such as whiplash, brain injuries, fractures, and back injuries.
How Do Menifee Chain Reaction Accidents Occur?Every Menifee chain reaction or multi-vehicle accident is unique. Though collisions can be caused by any number of events, there are a few situations that commonly result in several cars colliding with one another.
- A driver rear ends the vehicle ahead of them, causing that vehicle to rear end the vehicle in front of them, and so on. The driver responsible for the initial rear end collision is generally be liable.
- A middle car in a chain reaction claims another car hit them and pushed them into the vehicle in front. Eyewitness testimony can be help determine the truth between conflicting driver accounts.
- The front vehicle suddenly moves into a lane and brakes, giving the vehicle behind them no time to brake and avoid an accident. This leaves the vehicle who rear ended the first vehicle at risk of being rear ended themselves. In these situations, the front vehicle is usually at fault.
- A phantom vehicle chain reaction occurs when the vehicle furthest back claims they were the one who was first hit and pushed into the vehicle in front of them, and the culprit drove off after they made contact in a hit-and-run. It can be difficult to verify with certainty that the driver is telling the truth; however, checking the vehicle whose driver claims was hit and run can often determine the truth of the claim and solve any disputes.
How Do I Win My Multi-Vehicle Injury Case?Injury victims in California commonly try to recover damages by filing a lawsuit and arguing that someone else’s negligence caused the accident and their resulting harm. To prove negligence, you must prove the defendant:
- Owed you a legal duty of care,
- Breached that duty through an act or failure to act, and
- Caused you actual damages because of their breach of duty.
If you establish it’s more likely than not that these elements occurred, the defendant is presumed negligent and will be liable for your proven harms without a valid legal defense.
Due to the nature of chain reactions and other multi-vehicle car accidents, these collisions can occur in a variety of ways because so many vehicles are involved. In some cases, this can make it hard to establish the true cause of the collision. Figuring out the responsible party can often be established through eyewitness accounts, traffic cameras, police reports, resulting damage to the vehicles, and on-scene evidence such as skid marks. It’s often the case that the driver of the first vehicle to strike another is at fault, but it’s important to get as much evidence as possible to determine who’s truly at fault.
What Can I Recover for My Injuries?After you prove that a defendant’s negligence was responsible for your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for harms you can prove to a judge or jury. Victims may be awarded compensation to make them whole both for concrete damages and more subjective harms reflecting emotional and mental trauma caused by the accident. It may be possible to recover for things like hospital bills, burial costs, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability.
In some situations, a wrongdoer’s vile or reprehensible conduct is so egregious that victims may be able to recover additional damages from the judge or jury. These punitive damages are meant to punish the bad behavior and encourage the wrongdoer and others to avoid repeating it in the future. Because damages can be difficult to prove and require meeting a high burden of proof, it’s wise to work with an experienced Menifee Chain Reaction and Multi-Vehicle Car Accident Attorney to avoid costly legal pitfalls in your case.
Speak to an Attorney TodayWhen several vehicles are involved in a single collision, recovering from your injuries by itself can seem like a full-time job. The overwhelming nature of recovery can be compounded if you find yourself dealing with multiple other motorists, insurers, auto repair shops, and lawyers. The skilled Menifee Chain Reaction and Multi-Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Walton Law, APC can organize the chaos, manage communication between everyone involved, help you avoid legal pitfalls, and fight for you to receive maximum possible compensation. We’ve been delivering aggressive, personalized representation for clients like you for years and recovering millions for their injuries. Contact us today by calling (866)-338-7079 or using our online Contact Page to schedule your free, confidential initial consultation. The case evaluation is free, and you don’t pay until we recover for you. Let us use our resources and knowledge to fight for the compensation you deserve.