Pursuing Legal Action After a Chain Reaction Accident
October 18, 2018
Chain reaction accidents occur when three or more vehicles are involved in a series of rear-end accidents, primarily caused by the force of the initial collision. These accidents are often caused by a single driver who was distracted, drowsy, under the influence of alcohol, or general carelessness.
Other times, multiple drivers may be considered at fault, if they were not paying attention to their surroundings or following the rules of the road. If you are involved in a chain reaction accident, a skilled car accident lawyer will protect your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
It is not uncommon for motorists who are involved in chain reaction accidents to suffer a range of injuries, particularly if the vehicle that struck them was traveling at a high speed. Because there are multiple drivers involved, determining who is at fault can be challenging from a legal standpoint.
For example, if a driver admits to being distracted when they rear-ended the first car, it would be fair to assume that he should be held liable for the resulting injuries. However, other factors, including inclement weather, road construction, and other motorists who were engaged in unsafe driving behavior, will need to be considered.
Establishing Fault in a Chain Reaction Accident
If you intend to file an insurance claim, or a personal injury lawsuit against another motorist after being injured in a chain reaction accident, you must be able to prove that another driver was negligent. If more than one driver was at fault, a car accident lawyer can examine the details of the case and determine each driver’s share of liability.
One important factor that will be considered is the following distance of each of the drivers involved. If one or more motorists involved were tailgating, they are more likely to rear-end the vehicle in front of them if the motorist hits the brakes or needs to stop suddenly.
Post-Accident Actions
Like any other car accident, knowing what to do after the accident can help you as you file an insurance claim. Take the following steps if you are involved in a chain reaction accident:
- Call 911, so that you can file a police report.
- Collect evidence by taking photos of the accident scene, the damage to the vehicles involved, any injuries, and skid marks or debris on the road.
- Talk to witnesses who may have seen the accident occur and ask for their contact information.
Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Chain Reaction Accidents
If you have been injured in a chain reaction accident, it is in your best interest to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and determine which parties are responsible for your injuries. Our experienced team will seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve and ensure that your legal rights are always protected. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
