Why Does a Multiple Impact Car Accident Happen?
A multiple impact car accident can cause serious damages and injuries, emotional trauma, and financial strain very quickly. Being involved in a car accident is an inherently stressful situation, but it is even more jarring when many cars are involved. There is so much going on that it can be difficult to comprehend exactly what happened and what to do next. Understanding why these kinds of accidents occur may help you avoid them in the future. What Constitutes a Multiple Impact Car Accident? Technically, a multi-car accident is an accident involving more than two vehicles. This is also often called a “chain reaction accident.” Chain reactions are more complicated than a two-vehicle collision because there can be multiple people at fault. These types of accidents usually occur on high-speed routes such as freeways, making them one of the deadliest forms of traffic collisions. Common Causes of Multiple Car Pile-Ups Low-visibility Low-visibility conditions are one of the main causes of multiple car pile-ups. These conditions can result from inclement weather such as rain and heavy fog, or simply from driving too closely to the car in front of you. It can be extremely difficult to stop quickly and safely when following too closely. Negligence Distracted driving can lead to major vehicle collisions. You should always strive to keep your eyes on the road, but especially when you are driving on a high-capacity/high-speed route. Speeding Speeding has been the number one cause of car accidents in Utah for several years in a row. Speeding magnifies driver error and makes it increasingly difficult to stop in a safe and timely manner. It is not uncommon for speeding to result in multiple car pile-ups. What to Do If You’re in a Multi-Car Accident Because there are so many variables to take in, it can be incredibly stressful to know what to do if you find yourself in a multiple impact car collision. Following these steps will help you stay calm and rational during this nerve-racking situation. Stay in your vehicle. Turn on your hazard lights. Call 911. Once authorities have arrived, begin collecting information. Try to gather as much evidence as safely as possible. This includes photos, police reports, insurance information, license plates, and eyewitness accounts. See a doctor for a physical examination, even if you don’t think you have sustained any severe injuries. Call your insurance company. Find a personal injury lawyer. Assigning Fault It is usually fairly simple to assign fault in a two-car accident situation; however, when there are many cars involved, the fault line is usually more blurred. It may take more time to determine exactly who is at fault. Authorities will gather statements from each driver involved in the crash along with any eyewitnesses. They will study property damage as well as any footage that may have been obtained. Moreover, they may even need to reconstruct the pile-up to fully assess what happened. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is Here to Help If you are involved in a multiple impact car accident, reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton. Our attorneys will advocate for your best interest as they pursue your claim. We have offices throughout Utah County and West Jordan. Schedule your free case evaluation today.