What To Do After A Multi-Car Pile-Up
A multi-vehicle collision occurs when more than two vehicles are involved in a crash. Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents occur quite often and tend to be more complex to resolve than other types of car accident cases. For instance, since multi-car pile-ups usually result from a chain reaction, there are almost always multiple parties involved, all of whom could bear some responsibility for the crash. This in turn, can make it more difficult to recover compensation from the right people.
Seeking Medical Treatment and Calling the Police
Multi-vehicle accidents are notorious for resulting in serious injuries, so in all likelihood, at least one person involved in this type of crash will need medical attention. It is critical to seek assistance as soon as possible by calling the proper law enforcement authorities. Once emergency care or transportation via ambulance has been provided, accident victims can begin investigating the cause of the accident.
Taking Photos at the Scene of the Accident
For those who are able, taking photographs at the scene of the accident can be a good way to help establish what happened on the day in question. It’s important to take photos from a number of angles, to include pictures of vehicle damage, and to take note of things like skid marks and weather conditions. The debris field can also help determine how fast the parties were going prior to the crash, while skid marks can be used to establish whether the parties attempted to brake.
Get the Contact Information of the Other Parties
It’s also important for accident victims to collect the names, contact information, and insurance details of all of the drivers and passengers involved in the crash. Getting this information early can help hasten the insurance claim process. It’s also a good idea to collect the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident occur, as it may be necessary to depose these individuals at a later date when attempting to determine fault for the crash.
Reach Out to a Car Accident Attorney
As we mentioned earlier, resolving multi-car accident cases tends to be more difficult than other types of car accident claims. This is largely due to the fact that determining fault, when there are more drivers and vehicles involved, is more complicated. Furthermore, the injuries sustained in these accidents are often more severe, so the stakes are higher for the parties involved. Fortunately, those who are represented by an experienced attorney can immediately begin investigating the cause of an accident and can then begin pursuing compensation from the right people. Because of Florida’s comparative negligence law, even drivers who contributed in some way to the crash, which is common in multi-vehicle accidents, could still be entitled to recover, albeit in an amount reduced by their degree of fault in contributing to the crash.
Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers
If you were injured in a multi-vehicle collision, you could be facing an uphill battle when it comes to recovery. For help pursuing your claim, contact the dedicated Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at Boone & Davis today.
Sources:
nypost.com/2022/03/03/florida-highway-shut-down-after-multi-vehicle-crash-in-volusia-county/
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html
