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Chicago Multi-Vehicle Collision Lawyers
Diligently representing Illinois victims of serious crashes involving multiple vehicles
Any car accident has the potential to be catastrophic. However, the more vehicles and people involved, the more likely it is that someone is seriously or fatally injured. More people being involved could complicate the investigation following the crash. Multiple victims and multiple defendants mean multiple insurance claims and possibly multiple court cases. Every auto accident case presents challenges when determining liability and adequate compensation for victims. Those aspects are magnified when multiple vehicles are involved.
At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Chicago car accident lawyers understand the challenges and complexities involved when multiple vehicles are involved in a crash and multiple people are injured. We’re skilled at navigating through the complaints by each defendant that another driver caused the accident. We work with investigators and conduct extensive discovery to sort out which defendants are liable for your injuries or the death of your loved one. We’re also skilled at negotiating personal injury claims and wrongful death claims with multiple insurance companies. In one illustrative case, we obtained $100,000 (the policy limits) for our client who was injured in a multi-vehicle accident.
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How can we help?
- Why do multiple-vehicle accidents happen in Chicago?
- What are the unique issues involved in multi-vehicle accident cases?
- How do you prove liability for a multi-vehicle accident in Chicago?
- When should I file my multiple-vehicle accident claim?
- What is my Chicago multiple-vehicle accident claim worth?
- Do you have a multi-vehicle accident lawyer near me?
Why do multiple-vehicle accidents happen in Chicago?
The leading cause of any vehicle accident is driver negligence. However, multi-car crashes are a little different because many vehicles can be impacted directly or indirectly, and more than one driver may be negligent. Multiple-vehicle accidents usually happen in one of two ways:
Chain reaction
Many multiple-vehicle accidents are chain reaction accidents. Often, several cars will be stopped at an intersection when a drunk, distracted, or speeding driver strikes the car last in line. That collision will cause the car that was last in line to strike the car directly in front. The chain of collisions will continue until the first car in line is struck.
Chain reactions can also involve one car striking another car in the front or side. That car that is struck then may be forced into other cars in the same lanes or other lanes – causing a series of accidents.
Non-chain reaction
Non-chain-reaction accidents occur when multiple vehicles are involved in an accident but there isn’t a direct one-to-one connection between the collisions. A common example is when a truck spills its cover or rolls over. All the cars near the truck may scatter trying to avoid the crash and any spilled cargo – causing multiple crashes. “Rubberneckers” in the nearby lanes can also cause additional accidents.
Running a red light, a deer in the road, a texting driver – almost anything can start a multi-car auto accident in Chicago.
What are the unique issues involved in multi-vehicle accident cases?
At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Chicago multi-vehicle accident lawyers understand the different complexities involved when more than two cars or other types of vehicles are involved in a crash. Some of these challenges include the following:
- Analyzing what event(s) started the chain or the series of accidents and determining the sequence of the accidents.
- Determining who all the defendants should be. In addition to the different drivers, other defendants may include employers, vehicle owners, trucking companies, and liquor establishments. The Illinois Department of Transportation and other state agencies or entities could also be liable.
- Determining who all the victims are, as each vehicle may have multiple victims.
- Determining who all the insurance carriers are.
- Determining where the case should be tried. Normally, a multi-vehicle accident that happens in Chicago will be tried in Chicago but some exceptions may apply
How do you prove liability for a multi-vehicle accident in Chicago?
The biggest challenge of a multi-vehicle accident case is determining responsibility. When three or more drivers are involved, you often encounter a situation where each of the parties blames one another. Some of the evidence we may present includes:
- Eyewitness statements. In a multi-vehicle accident, with numerous perspectives, eyewitness accounts can prove extremely valuable. We know how to identify and properly question eyewitnesses.
- Photographs of the accident scene and resulting damage are useful to provide an accurate visual representation, especially if a trial becomes necessary to secure compensation.
- Traffic reconstruction experts. These experts use principles of physics, computer graphics, and other methods to slow down the sequence of events from the beginning of the accident until all the vehicles involved in the accident stop moving.
- Police documentation. In some circumstances, law enforcement investigations and reports are helpful in proving which driver is ultimately responsible for the resulting injuries.
- Discovery. We formally question all the defendants in the case – at depositions (oral questions) and interrogatories (written questions). We also depose anyone else who may have relevant information.
When many parties are involved in an accident, determining fault can be complicated. However, our Chicago personal injury lawyers have the experience and resources to show how your accident happened and who is responsible.
When should I file my multi-vehicle collision claim?
You should contact us as soon as possible. In all accident cases, but especially multi-vehicle accident cases, it’s critical that we begin investigating your claim as soon as possible. We also want to review your injuries to help ensure you are seeing the doctors who can help you the most. Generally, car accident claims must be filed within two years after the accident occurred or the death of a loved one occurred. In some cases, such as claims against the Illinois Department of Transportation, the deadline for filing a legal claim can be much shorter.
What is my Chicago multiple-vehicle accident claim worth?
Each claim is different. We work with your physicians and our network of doctors when necessary to fully evaluate your health, your ability or inability to work, and your pain and suffering.
We demand compensation for your:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and lost benefits
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of bodily function
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
We seek wrongful death damages if a loved one dies in a Chicago multi-vehicle accident.
Do you have a multi-vehicle accident lawyer near me?
The law office of Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers is located at 77 W Washington Street, Suite 1215, right in downtown Chicago. There are several bus stops right near our office. Our Chicago multi-vehicle accident lawyers conduct video conferences by appointment. We also see clients away from the office if they’re too ill or immobile to visit our office.
We’re ready to discuss your rights and help you understand each step of the claims process.
Responsive representation from experienced multi-car accident lawyers in Chicago
The Chicago auto accident attorneys at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers have more than 25 years of experience helping clients just like you. We’ll simplify your claim so you’re protected and the responsible defendants are held accountable. If you or a loved one has been involved in a multi-vehicle accident in Chicago, call us today or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.