Being injured in an automobile accident is often a traumatic experience. These crashes are even more stressful when they involve more than one vehicle and multiple parties, all potentially at fault. Determining who is responsible for what can be a complex process. The South Florida car accidents at The Law Offices of Robert Dixon are well-versed in litigating such intricate cases, and can help sort through the aftermath to pursue compensation for victims across Florida, including in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.
Determining Responsibility in a Chain Reaction Collision
A chain reaction collision refers to a specific type of car crash involving three or more vehicles hitting each other in a series of rear-end accidents, mostly caused by the force of the first collision. These pile-ups are common in South Florida, where there are so many drivers on the road following each other closely and, at times, not properly paying attention. In these circumstances, the question of “who hit who?” becomes complicated and hard to determine, but it is very important.
Establishing which driver or drivers were negligent in causing a multi-vehicle crash is necessary to file an insurance claim or take further legal action to recover damages for injuries. To show negligence, the victim of a crash must prove:
• The defendant had a legal duty to the victim to exercise reasonable care;
• That duty was breached;
• The breach caused the victim’s injury; and
• The victim sustained damages as a result.
Every driver has the duty to leave a safe following distance between his or her vehicle and the vehicle in front of it. This following distance allows a driver to stop in time to avoid unexpected situations or hazards. A driver who fails to maintain a safe following distance and rear-ends another car likely has breached the duty of care.
Collisions involving multiple cars can get more complicated. For example, was Driver 2 following Driver 3 too closely, or did the force of Driver 1’s impact after rear-ending Driver 2 cause the collision between Driver 2 and Driver 3? The same question might need to be answered regarding Driver 3 and Driver 4. The answers to these questions and others would determine which drivers are responsible for what portion of the accident.
Since Florida uses a pure system of comparative fault, any injured party may seek damages even when partly responsible for his or her injuries. However, the amount of recovery is offset by the victim’s degree of fault. Given this standard, careful investigation and examination into these types of accidents is vital to make sure liability is distributed appropriately. Legal action may be necessary against one or more parties and require various experts to testify regarding accident reconstruction and other technical issues. Consulting an experienced car accident attorney is imperative to making sure your claims are preserved.
Pursuing Compensation from Negligent Drivers
Being involved in a pile-up can result in an array of injuries, from back and neck pain to traumatic brain injuries and sometimes even death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a chain reaction collision, one or more of the drivers involved may be liable for your injuries. Full or partial recovery of damages for medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering, as well as property damage, may be available
