Multi-Car Accidents Are Complex Claims

WGN9 News recently reported on a fatal car crash involving four vehicles that occurred on Wednesday March 29, 2023 on Chicago's South Side, resulting in one death and four injuries.

According to the news, a Nissan traveling northbound on Columbus Avenue collided with a Mazda at the intersection of 83rd Street. The driver of the Nissan was seriously injured, while two men in the Mazda were critically injured, with one of them dying at the hospital. An SUV then rear-ended the Nissan, and two women inside were taken to the hospital in fair condition, in part thanks to proper airbag deployment in their vehicle. A fourth car struck the vehicles at the intersection, and the driver was hospitalized in good condition.

Multi-car accidents come in various forms, such as rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, lane change accidents, and, most commonly, intersection crashes. And the sad truth is that many times, they result in someone’s death. But these types of cases can be pretty complex because there are a lot of people involved, and that means a lot of insurance companies pointing the finger at everyone but their own policyholders. So today, let’s take a look at why they’re so complex.

Who is at fault in a multi-car accident?

When it comes to multi-car accidents, determining fault is not always straightforward. While looking at the extent of damage to the vehicles can be a starting point, several factors come into play when assigning blame. One of the crucial considerations is the actions of each driver involved and the type of multi-car accident that occurred.

Multi-car intersection accidents can be caused by left turns or running stop signs or red lights. When a car making a left turn across an intersection collides with another, it can lead to a chain reaction involving other vehicles. In such cases, determining fault will depend on which car had the right of way. If the left-turning car had the right of way, the other car will be at fault, and vice versa. However, fault is not always straightforward, as other cars involved may also have some blame based on factors such as speeding or a missed opportunity to avoid the collision.

In accidents where a car runs a stop sign or red light, the car that fails to obey the traffic control device is always at fault. However, other cars may also have some fault in such accidents. For example, if a car running a red light T-bones another car crossing in front of it, and another car behind the stopped car does not stop and hits its rear, the car that did not stop will also have some fault in causing the second crash. It's important to note that comparative negligence and liability in a multi-car crash is not a cut-and-dry thing, and the circumstances of the car accident can impact the degree of fault assigned to each driver involved.

Multi-vehicle wrecks often lead to serious injuries

Another reason chain-reaction crashes can be so complex is because they can lead to severe injuries. The more severe the injury, the more challenging the case can become. If you, for example, broke your arm in a wreck (assuming the break is clean), you might be out of work for a few weeks. But if you sustained a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury, now you’re facing potential losses like:

• Weeks, months, or even years of medical treatments, including various therapies and medications
• Lost wages from when you were out of work, but also a loss of future earning potential
• Additional lost wages/educational opportunities if your spouse or child becomes your caretaker
• Costs for home renovations with adaptive technologies

Remember, too, that calculating all these costs cannot be done overnight, because it takes a while to determine the true extent of your injuries and losses. And that’s if you’re an adult; when a child is injured, those injuries can compound over time. Now you’re looking at costs for in-home support or residential treatment facilities, lost educational opportunities or expenses for in-home tutors, and life care planning for the future. All of this is on top of the expenses for pain and suffering, too. So now you have a case that could take YEARS to litigate and/or settle.

What do I do immediately after being involved in a multi-car accident?

In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one is involved in a multi-car crash in Chicago there are immediate steps that one should take, if physically able, in order to support a future legal case.

• Call 911: Contact emergency services and inform them of the crash, both the police and ambulance services should be notified.
• Seek medical treatment: Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention to identify any injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
• Try to find witnesses: Collect contact information and full legal names from any witnesses and inform the police of their presence.
• Document the evidence at the scene of the accident: Take pictures and/or videos without disturbing the scene of the accident.
• Avoid posting to social media: Refrain from posting about the accident on social media as it can harm your case.
• Complete your own preliminary accident report: Be sure to document the time, date, location, a brief description of the accident, estimated vehicle speeds, and weather conditions. Draw a diagram of the accident and gather the names and driver's license numbers of everyone involved. Keep in mind that the Chicago police will also create their own “official” traffic crash report, so comparing your notes with theirs may be helpful.
• Finally, seek legal counsel: Once you have gathered all the necessary information, the next step is to seek the guidance of an experienced and trustworthy Chicago injury attorney at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, who can help you understand and explore your legal options.

Whether you or your loved one has been injured in a multi-car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, or you have suffered harm due to a malfunctioning airbag system, Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers is here to help. We proudly serve the provides legal services to the entire Chicagoland area. Call us or fill out our contact form today to schedule a free consultation.