In many circumstances, being involved in a multi-vehicle car accident can affect the amount of compensation you can recover for your injuries. If you were in no way responsible for the collision, you are still eligible to recover full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other accident-related losses; however, if there are multiple injured parties with claims against one at-fault driver, the total amount of insurance available for the accident may be limited.
If you are involved in a multi-car accident, there is no need to worry about what insurance limits are available. Our experienced team can help determine what is available from the at-fault driver, plus any underinsured motorist coverage you may have.
What Are Frequent Causes of Multi-Vehicle Accidents in Georgia?
Multi-vehicle accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons, but some of the most common causes in Georgia include:
- Distracted driving – Drivers who are preoccupied with activities like texting, eating, or adjusting dashboard settings might not react in time to avoid a collision. Their inattention can lead to a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles.
- Speeding – Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to control their vehicle and increases stopping distances, making it more likely for a single collision to trigger a multi-vehicle pileup.
- Impaired driving – Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and diminished motor skills. They are at a higher risk of causing a severe accident involving multiple vehicles.
- Weather conditions – Bad weather, such as rain or fog, can reduce visibility and make roads slippery, contributing to multi-vehicle accidents. Blinding sunlight can lead to similar results.
- Road hazards – Obstacles on the road, such as debris, potholes, or spilled cargo, can make drivers brake suddenly and cause rear-end collisions with multiple vehicles.
What Are Common Injuries in Multi-Vehicle Accidents?
Due to the compounding forces involved in multi-vehicle accidents, the resulting injuries can be particularly severe. Some common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – The violent impact and whiplash motion can cause concussions, contusions, or more severe brain trauma.
- Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
- Broken bones – The force of the collision can cause fractures, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal injuries – Blunt force trauma can lead to internal bleeding, organ damage, or other life-threatening injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries – Whiplash, sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries are common in multi-vehicle accidents due to the sudden jerking motions.
How Do You Prove Who Is At Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
Establishing fault in a multi-vehicle accident can be complex, as there may be multiple parties involved and conflicting accounts of how the crash occurred. To prove liability, your attorney might need to gather and present various types of evidence, such as:
- Eyewitness testimony – Statements from bystanders or other drivers who witnessed the accident can help your lawyer piece together what happened.
- Surveillance or dashcam footage – Video recordings from traffic cameras or dashcams can provide valuable visual evidence of the collision.
- Expert analysis – Accident reconstruction experts can examine physical evidence, such as skid marks and vehicle damage, to determine the cause and sequence of events.
- Police reports – Official reports from law enforcement officers who responded to the accident scene can include their observations and preliminary findings.
- Vehicle maintenance records – If a vehicle defect or mechanical failure contributed to the crash, maintenance records can be used as evidence.
Who Is Liable in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
In a multi-vehicle accident, liability can be assigned to one or more parties, depending on the circumstances. Potentially responsible parties may include:
- The driver who initiated the chain reaction by causing the first collision
- Drivers who negligently contributed to the accident by engaging in speeding, distracted driving, or other reckless behavior
- Vehicle manufacturers, if a defective part or design flaw played a role in the accident
- Government entities responsible for maintaining safe road conditions, if a hazard like a pothole or lack of signage contributed to the crash
Will the Compensation Be Reduced with More Vehicles Involved?
In many circumstances, being involved in a multi-vehicle car accident will not affect the amount of compensation you can recover for your injuries. If you were in no way responsible for the collision, you will still be eligible to recover full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other accident-related losses.
However, in some cases, your compensation might be reduced. Georgia law operates on the principle of modified comparative negligence. When a person is partially liable for an accident, they may still be eligible to recover compensation as long as they bear less than 50 percent of the fault. However, the amount of their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault.
What Happens If You Were Partly Responsible for the Accident?
If you were partially responsible for the multi-vehicle accident, your compensation will be reduced proportionately to your percentage of fault. For example, if you are deemed 30 percent responsible for the collision, your total compensation will be reduced by 30 percent.
It is crucial to work with an experienced attorney who can effectively defend against claims of comparative negligence and maximize your potential recovery.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
The statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Georgia requires injury victims to start legal action against the at-fault party within two years. If you do not file a lawsuit before the limitations period expires, you may be barred from recovering compensation for your losses. Consulting with an experienced Georgia multi-car accident attorney can help ensure that you do not miss this crucial deadline.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
Suffering injuries in a motor vehicle accident is one of the most traumatic events an individual can experience. However, a crash involving multiple vehicles can be particularly terrifying. The consequences can be dire for your health, finances, and ability to enjoy life.
The experienced Georgia car accident attorneys at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. have helped many victims of multi-vehicle collisions recover the compensation they need to move forward confidently. Let us get to work for you, too. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
