Multiple Vehicle Collisions

What Are Common Causes of Multiple Vehicle Collisions?

• Sudden stops or slowdowns – An unexpected or abrupt stop on a freeway can cause rear-end pile ups.
• Hazards on the road – Debris, animals or spilled truck loads can cause a driver to lurch out of control, resulting in a multi car collision.
• Poor weather conditions – Sleet, rain, snow or fog can lead to not only visibility concerns, but also slipping and sliding on a wet road, making driving hazardous to all.
• Speeding – If a driver is speeding, they have much less time to react to surprises. If they make a mistake, an entire row of cars can end up in a multi vehicle crash.
• Driver negligence – If a driver is drowsy, distracted or under the influence, the consequences can be deadly. Drivers using cell phones, eating, reading maps, listening to music or talking are not focused on the road, and may end up causing accidents.

What is Considered “Driver Negligence”?

Multi-car accidents are typically caused by driver negligence. Drivers can be negligent in a variety of ways, including:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk or intoxicated driving
• Aggressive driving
• Speeding
• Driving too fast for the conditions
• Following too closely (tailgating)
• Fatigued driving

Who is At Fault and How Do You Establish That?

The authorities will consider the timing between vehicle collisions. If you immediately collided with another car as part of a chain reaction to a rear end crash in front of you, you will mostly likely not be considered the sole cause of the accident. If there was a gap between the primary car wreck and your vehicle colliding with another, then Texas law may hold you accountable for a new incident, citing your inability to drive defensively.

Pursuing Compensation for Multi-Car Pileup Injuries

If you were injured by a negligent driver who caused a multi-car pileup in Houston, you could pursue compensation from the at-fault driver through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. To bring a successful claim, you’ll need to demonstrate that the driver is liable for the multiple-car accident. There are four main elements of liability:

• Duty of Care: You must show that the at-fault driver owed a duty of care to you and other road users. In this context, all drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws to prevent accidents.
• Breach of Duty: You must demonstrate that the at-fault driver breached their duty of care. This means you need to prove that the driver acted negligently or recklessly in some way, such as by speeding, texting while driving, running a red light, or engaging in other unsafe behaviors.
• Causation: You must establish a direct link between the at-fault driver's breach of duty and the multi-car pileup. In other words, you need to show that the driver's negligent actions were the proximate cause of the accident and your injuries.
• Damages: Finally, you need to provide evidence of the damages you suffered as a result of the accident. This may include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses.

To strengthen your personal injury claim or lawsuit, you should gather evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, photographs, medical records, and any other documentation that can help establish these elements of liability. It’s also advisable to consult with an experienced car accident attorney in Houston who can guide you through the legal process and help you build a strong case to seek the compensation you deserve.