Chain Reaction Car Accidents
Chain reaction car accidents are one of the most common types of multi-vehicle crashes. Chain reaction car accidents involve at least three vehicles, and often more. Because of the number of people and vehicles involved, chain reaction car accidents tend to result in substantial damages, including physical injuries and financial losses.
When multiple vehicles are involved in a crash, determining accident liability is more complex than it is with a typical collision. Car accident lawyer Lynn C. Harris examines the details of a chain reaction car accident to establish liability so that his Salt Lake City, UT, and Provo, UT, clients can pursue compensation for their losses.
What Is a Chain Reaction Car Accident?
Chain reaction car accidents refer to situations in which one collision sets off a string of additional crashes. In most cases chain reaction car accidents involve a series of rear end collisions. If you picture the vehicles like a chain of lined up dominoes, one car crashes into the one in front of it, which pushes that car into the vehicle immediately in front of it, and so on.
Chain reaction car accidents occur when the force of the initial impact is strong enough to push the struck vehicle into another automobile. Chain reaction car accidents are most common when a vehicle is traveling at high speeds at the time of a crash (which creates a stronger impact), or when several vehicles are lined up close together, as is the case when the roads are heavily congested.
Liability for Chain Reaction Car Accidents
When a rear end accident occurs, the trailing driver is nearly always found to be at-fault for the crash. Since most chain reaction car accidents start with a rear end collision, many drivers assume that the first person to strike a vehicle, or set off the chain reaction car accident, is liable for the entire string of collisions. This is sometimes the case, but not always.
If the lead vehicle (the one that is hit) stops suddenly without reason, and the vehicle’s brake lights are not in working order, or if the driver is driving erratically or seems to be intentionally trying to be hit, they may be found liable for the accident, including subsequent collisions that stem from the initial impact. Lynn C. Harris works with trained accident investigators to determine who caused a chain reaction car accident, so that his Salt Lake City clients can hold them accountable for accident damages.
Chain Reaction Car Accidents and Shared Liability
There are often numerous drivers involved in a chain reaction car accident, and liability does not always fall on one person. Just as with any other type of crash, if more than one person or party contributes to a chain reaction car accident, or fails to take appropriate steps to prevent a collision, they can be assigned partial liability. Lynn C. Harris considers all aspects of a chain reaction car accident to establish whether more than one party shares accident liability.
Get in Touch
Chain reaction car accidents are complex, so it is important that accident victims have a knowledgeable attorney on their side when seeking compensation for damages. To find out how Lynn C. Harris can be of assistance following a car crash, contact our law firm online, or call (801) 407-6522 to schedule a consultation.
