Pileup crashes are normally defined as accidents involving three or more vehicles, although sometimes these types of collisions can include many more cars. Pileup accidents can be among the most serious crashes and can cause devastating injuries.
A pileup crash – or multi-vehicle accident, as it is also called – can also create confusion regarding who is to blame for the accident and who should be held legally responsible for the resulting injuries.
If you or a loved one was involved in a pileup accident in New York, an injury lawyer at Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP, in Syracuse can help you make a claim for the compensation you deserve. Avoid making mistakes after an accident. Instead, consult with an experienced attorney. Call today to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team who can advise you about your legal rights.
Our attorneys can answer important questions such as:
- Who is to blame for the pileup accident?
- What should I do if I am involved in a pileup collision?
- How can a Syracuse car accident lawyer help after a pileup accident?
Fault in Multi-Vehicle Car Accidents
Pileup accidents or multi-vehicle crashes are often called chain-reaction accidents because there is usually one incident that sets off a chain of events that cause other cars to crash.
For example, a driver could lose control and hit a guardrail, causing the driver behind him to slam into the impaired vehicle. A third car unable to stop in time could crash into one or both of the first two vehicles. This could continue to occur, with many more vehicles becoming involved in the crash because they all were unable to stop.
Since a lot of vehicles are involved, it can be hard to figure out who was at fault. The first driver who caused the initial accident may have been to blame for the crash, but other motorists may also have behaved in a negligent way that led to the accident. For example, the other motorists may have been following too closely or rubbernecking. Either behavior may be considered a direct cause of the pileup accident.
Sorting out who was to blame is important because the drivers responsible for causing the accident may be responsible for compensating you for your losses. A police report, eyewitness testimony, the opinion of a crash reconstruction expert and a host of other evidence may be collected and reviewed to determine who was to blame.
An experienced Syracuse injury lawyer can gather the evidence you need to prove fault. If multiple drivers were to blame, your attorney can also help you to pursue legal action against all responsible parties who may be liable for your injuries.
What to Do After a Pileup Accident
After a pileup, the most important thing is to get out of the dangerous situation and get to safety. You could be at risk if you are in a line of impaired vehicles as other cars might hit yours and make your injuries worse. If you are able to safely get out of the path of traffic, you should do so. You should also contact law enforcement if the police are not already at the scene.
Getting prompt medical help after the accident is important so your injuries can be documented. If you are able, it is advisable to obtain the names and contact information of witnesses and take pictures at the scene of the crash, which could potentially be used later to help you determine and prove the cause of the accident.
Contacting your own insurance company to report the incident is important, as you may be entitled to no-fault insurance benefits. Contacting an attorney is also advisable so you can begin the process of making a claim to recover damages for your losses.
A Syracuse Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Multi-car Crash
Many pileup accidents are caused by negligence, such as a tailgating driver, a driver going too fast for road conditions, a driver making dangerous choices in bad weather, distracted driving or other careless actions. Those who are responsible for driving in an unsafe way may be required to compensate individuals injured by their negligent actions.
A car accident lawyer can help you to make a claim for compensation from those responsible. Since pileup accident cases are complicated due to the multiple motorists involved, it is essential that you are represented by an attorney who understands these complex cases.
A Syracuse injury lawyer at Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP, has the legal knowledge and skill you need. Call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation and claim review.