Florida is among the top places to live in the U.S, mainly due to its beautiful tropical climate and tourist attractions. In addition to its residents, the state attracts numerous tourists from different parts of the world every year. Due to these factors, road congestion is common and often results in vehicle accidents, including multi-vehicle accidents. A multi-vehicle accident refers to an accident that involves three or more vehicles. When a multi-vehicle accident occurs, the injuries are often severe, and property damage is often extensive. When multiple parties are involved in a multi-vehicle accident, it is not always easy to establish fault. In most cases, the parties involved are quick to deny responsibility. You will need the assistance of a competent personal injury attorney to seek compensation.

How Multi-Vehicle Accidents Occur

Multi-vehicle accidents occur in different ways depending on the situation at hand. At times, all it takes for a multi-vehicle accident to happen is for a driver to change lanes incorrectly. On a busy highway, a driver should check to see whether it is safe to change lanes. A wrong lane change could have numerous vehicles crashing into each other. Other leading causes of multi-vehicle accidents in Florida are:

Rear-end Collisions

The majority of multi-vehicle accidents start with rear-end collisions, also known as chain-reaction collisions. This collision begins when a vehicle strikes the rear of another car. Due to the collision's impact, the fore vehicle hits the car in front, and the sequence continues. This crash may involve multiple vehicles depending on the number of cars lined up on the road.

Collisions at Intersections

A multi-vehicle accident may occur at an intersection when two or more vehicles try to simultaneously enter an intersection. For instance, a vehicle may attempt to turn at an intersection only to be hit by the oncoming car. Multi-vehicle collisions at intersections often occur when one vehicle fails to follow the traffic rules. The crash may also happen if a driver is inattentive to the traffic lights that control vehicles' movement at an intersection.

High Speeds While on the Highways

While on the highways, many vehicles in Florida move at high speed. When a driver is moving at a speed of 70mph or more, they may not have enough time to react in case of an emergency and may end up causing multi-vehicle accidents. A collision may initially begin with two cars and end up as a wreck with many vehicles piled on each other.

Other additional causes of multi-vehicle accidents in Florida are:

  • Driver distraction
  • Tailgating
  • Driver fatigue
  • Driver impairment due to alcohol or drugs

After a Multi-Vehicle Accident

After a multi-vehicle accident, the damage usually involves property damage and physical injuries for each of the parties involved, including drivers and passengers. The party at fault may end up facing multiple personal injury lawsuits from the victims. Some people may succumb to the accident injuries, which would lead to wrongful death claims filed by the victim's survivors. Several things happen after a multi-car accident:

Determining Liability

In most cases, multi-car accidents occur due to the first driver's fault or the subsequent drivers’ negligence. When the police arrive at the accident scene, they will determine the accident's cause to identify the liable parties. However, the police's report is not enough to determine fault. Different parties involved will have attorneys to represent them alongside their insurance company. You, too, should have an experienced attorney to represent you.

A two-vehicle accident is already detrimental and traumatic for the parties involved. The situation is more complicated when multiple vehicles are involved in an accident. With many cars involved in an accident, the accident is more complicated. Multi-car accidents have higher risks of injuries, yet it is complicated to determine the parties at fault. If several parties are at fault for the accident, they will share the damages based on their degree of fault.

The investigators will consider whether the multi-car accident occurred due to a third party, such as a pedestrian or cyclist. The accident could also have occurred due to poor road conditions, including debris or other obstacles on the road. The multi-car accident could also have been unavoidable. This means that none of the parties involved in the accident are to blame. It means that nothing could have been done to prevent the accident from occurring.

In some instances, the multi-car accident might have been an act of God. For instance, if the accident occurred due to a violent act of nature like a tornado or hurricane, none of the parties involved would be responsible for the accident. Other factors that the investigators will consider are whether the accident occurred due to an emergency. For instance, the accident might have occurred when one of the drivers experienced an immediate medical emergency. It is crucial to determine the specific cause of the accident to avoid implicating innocent parties.

Considering the Chain Reaction

If the multi-car accident is due to a chain reaction, the police will identify the driver who started the chain. Therefore, after a multi-car accident, it is advisable not to move your vehicle until the police arrive. By having all the cars at their exact position after an accident, the police will figure out how the accident occurred. However, in some instances, it might not be safe to leave the vehicles in their original location after an accident. It would be safer in a busy street or highway to move the vehicle wreckage to avoid an additional pile-up of oncoming vehicles.

If the accident scene is not safe, it might not be safe for you to get out of the vehicle. It would be better to remain in the vehicle with your seatbelt on until the police arrive. When determining the chain reaction, the police will consider the drivers' testimony and witnesses at the accident scene. The police will consider whether the drivers involved were speeding or engaging in distracted driving. The police will also consider whether the drivers involved were under the influence of something that would affect their ability to drive.

If one of the parties admit fault, it will be much easier to conclude the case. However, if none of the parties involved is willing to admit fault, attorneys, together with expert witnesses, will have to consider all the factors that led to the accident.

Collection of Evidence

After a multi-car accident, the police and the parties involved collect evidence for the case. Multiple-vehicle accidents have numerous sources of evidence that can be used by the parties involved. If the accident occurs close to traffic cameras, it is easy to gather evidence. The same case applies if some witnesses take photos or record the accident on their electronic devices. However, if no proof is captured on camera, the multi-car accident will require intense examination and investigation. Your attorney may have to revisit the scene of the accident, probably accompanied by an accident reconstruction expert. Some of the necessary evidence include:

  • The weather conditions at the time of the accident
  • The road condition the scene of the accident
  • Presence of manufacture defects in any of the vehicles involved in the accident

After identifying who is responsible for the accident, your attorney will be able to proceed and file a claim to seek compensation.

Assessment of Injuries and Seeking Medical Attention

Seeking medical treatment is an essential concern after suffering injuries in a multi-vehicle accident. Victims who suffer extreme injuries require immediate medical assistance to help stop the bleeding. After the accident, some people might be trapped in their vehicles and might require immediate evacuation and medical treatment. Failing to act immediately could lead to the death of victims who would have survived if only they received immediate medical assistance. 

Obtaining the Other Parties' Contact Information

After a multi-car accident, you should ensure that you exchange contact and insurance information with all the drivers involved in the accident. If there are some witnesses at the scene, you should obtain their contact details. When the police clear the accident scene and the witnesses disperse, you might not be able to access them if you do not have their contacts.

Ensure that you collect as much information from the accident scene as possible. For instance, you could take photos of the vehicle wreckages and ensure that you capture their registration numbers. If your injuries can't allow you to take pictures, you could request another person to take the accident scene photos for you. The photos will provide concrete evidence that your attorney will use to help you seek compensation for your injuries. 

You could talk to the other parties involved in the accident and seek relevant information from them. However, you should avoid discussing the details of the accident with them to avoid implicating yourself. Talk to the bystanders who witnessed the accident happen. You may take a video or record the bystander's narration on how the accident occurred.

The Police's Report

When the police arrive at the accident scene, they will gather the accident factors and create a report. This report will come in handy as evidence as you file a personal injury claim. When the police arrive at the scene, ensure that you give your side of the story. Tell the police everything that you know about the multi-vehicle accident. However, ensure that you provide an honest story and avoid blaming the other parties involved. You should also avoid implicating that you are at fault even if you feel your actions contributed to the accident. After a thorough investigation, you might be surprised to know that you are not to blame for the accident.

You could also request for a copy of the accident report from the police. Ensure that you check for omissions of facts or errors in the report. You can request your attorney to obtain the police report for you. You could also get the report yourself without having to go through the attorney.

Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

It is wise to hire a personal injury attorney immediately after involvement in a multi-vehicle accident. Suffering injuries in an accident can impose difficulties in many areas of your life. You might suffer extensive damages, including medical costs, lost wages, and property damages. Multi-vehicle accidents are often complicated and might become burdensome when seeking compensation for your losses and injuries. You should consult an attorney immediately after the accident to have them review your claim, determine its value, and help you seek compensation.  Some of the actions that your attorney will take include:

  • Liaising with the other parties' insurers
  • Gathering ample evidence to support your case
  • Identifying parties who are liable for the accident
  • Evaluating the value of your claim
  • Communicate and bargain on your behalf
  • Help you file a claim according to Florida's rules and regulations, including the statute of limitations

If you try to file a claim independently, you will have a hard time dealing with insurance adjusters. However, an attorney understands the common tricks used by insurance adjusters. Insurance adjusters might offer you a seemingly attractive settlement for your damages. However, you should not accept the settlement until you first consult an attorney and have them determine your case's value. 

Receiving Compensation

In most cases, multi-vehicle accidents are settled out of court, and the liable party or parties compensate all the victims involved. However, the case might also proceed to court, depending on its complexity. You will receive compensation for your damages, depending on the extent of the damages and your degree of fault. Some of the damages available in a multi-car accident are:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Loss of enjoyment in life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of consortium
  • Wrongful death compensation if you lose your loved one in a multi-vehicle accident

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

Because of the complex nature of multi-vehicle accidents, it is crucial to contact an attorney immediately after an accident. An attorney will provide you with advice on how to proceed with your claim. Jacksonville Personal Injury Attorney will evaluate your case and guide you in seeking compensation. Contact us at 904-800-7557 and speak to one of our attorneys today.