Unfortunately, one reality of driving is the rare but potentially life-threatening chain reaction accidents that can take place on highways in Florida and throughout the United States. Depending on the number of cars involved, the speeds at which the collision happened, and the angles at which each automobile was hit, the consequences can be very serious for everyone involved. When trucks are involved, the result can be particularly devastating. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a chain reaction wreck, it is important to seek the help of a qualified Miami injury attorney who can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Chain reaction accidents refer to wrecks involving multiple vehicles in a series of impacts. Put another way, chain reaction accidents take place when three or more vehicles collide into one another in a series of rear-end accidents. For example, Driver A is rear ended by Driver B, who is rear ended by Driver C.
According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash caution survey, 57.2 percent of accidents involve two or more vehicles. Chain reaction collisions have a number of causes, including low-visibility conditions, tailgating drivers, inclement weather, road hazards, and more. On highways, these accidents can be especially dangerous, due to the high speed at which vehicles are traveling.
In accidents involving multiple cars, there can be multiple negligent parties, although their levels of negligence may vary. Negligence occurs when an individual fails to use reasonable care when driving and ends up causing an accident that results in harm. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent or sensible would behave in the same or similar circumstances. In the context of driving, all drivers have a duty to be vigilant so as not to endanger others on the road. In order to prevail on a negligence claim, the plaintiff must prove the following elements: the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to exercise reasonable care while driving, the defendant violated this duty to exercise reasonable care, and the defendant’s violation was the cause of the plaintiff’s harm, and quantifiable damages were incurred.
Ascertaining liability in a chain reaction accident can be very tricky. Individual liability may be established through an investigation of the crash, eyewitness accounts (including the drivers, passengers, etc.), police reports, skid marks, the way the cars are angled or piled up, and any other factors that may be helpful in understanding the sequence of events.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a multi-car crash, we recommend that you seek the help and guidance of an experienced Miami car accident lawyer. Robert Dixon has helped many South Florida clients resolve their accident claims. We understand that this is a stressful time, which is why you can expect the utmost compassion from our entire team. We are prepared to speak with you about your car, truck, or motorcycle accident so that you may be informed regarding your legal rights and options. Feel free to contact us online or call us today at 1-877-499-HURT (4878).
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