A multi-car accident, also called a chain reaction crash, happens when a vehicle accident results in subsequent crashes involving other motor vehicles. You will need to contact an experienced Cape Girardeau car accident attorney as soon as possible after a multi-car accident to determine fault and figure out how to recover compensation for your injuries.

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What Commonly Causes Chain Reaction Accidents?

Multi-car accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including everything from careless driving in poor weather to:

• Fatigued drivers who lose control of their car because they fall asleep behind the wheel
• Distracted drivers who divert their attention away from driving because they are doing things such as eating or texting and driving
• Drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, for instance, make unsafe lane changes
• Reckless or aggressive driving, which includes drivers making dangerous or careless decisions as they are driving without any regard for the safety of others
• Excessive speeding
• Mechanical issues, such as acceleration issues or braking problems
• Road hazards, such as potholes, debris, objects on the road, pedestrians, construction equipment, and trees

Types of Multi-Vehicle Crashes

While multi-vehicle accidents can happen for various reasons, there are three types of crashes where chain reaction crashes are more likely.

These collisions include:

• Intersection collisions: If a person runs a red light, does not yield to the right of way, or does not follow other rules associated with an intersection, it can lead to a multi-motor vehicle accident.
• Rear-end crash: If a motor vehicle hits the car in front of it, and the car hits another vehicle, this collision can cause a chain reaction.
• Highway crash: When vehicles travel at high speeds on the highways, an accident can lead to a massive multi-car pileup.

However, regardless of how your multi-vehicle accident occurred, if you endured injuries due to another person’s wrongful actions, consider speaking to a knowledgeable car accident attorney right away. These lawyers can review your legal options, determine what happened and who was at fault, and help you fight for the financial damages you deserve.

What Common Injuries Result From Multi-Vehicle Collisions?

When it comes to a chain reaction accident, these collisions are incredibly dangerous, especially since it impacts more than one vehicle, and these cars can be hit from numerous directions. Consequently, these accidents subject motor vehicle occupants to catastrophic injuries and damages.

In addition, when more cars are involved in an accident, there can be tons of broken glass, metal, and steel that can cause further debilitating injuries. There is even a chance that the accident can lead to a fire and cause devastating trauma.

While the injuries that can result from a multi-car accident will depend on the circumstances, some of the more common types of trauma that can result from these crashes includes:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries and bleeding
• Lacerations and scarring
• Back and neck trauma
• Limb loss
• Crushing injuries
• Road rash injuries

Moreover, these injuries can also lead to a lifetime of medical expenses that can forever impact a victim and their family financially. For these reasons, if you suffered serious injuries in a multi-car pileup, contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. These legal professionals can determine the extent of your injuries and assist you as you go after the financial recovery you need to ensure you get the treatments you require.

What Financial Damages Can You Pursue After a Multi-Vehicle Collision?

Depending on the circumstances of a multi-vehicle crash, you may be entitled to certain damages for the harm you suffered. These damages can fall into the following categories:

Economic Damages

These damages refer to payments for the verifiable losses that result from an accident.

They include losses such as:

• Medical bills resulting from doctor visits, surgeries, medications, hospitalizations, and assistive medical devices
• Ongoing medical expenses
• Lost income and business opportunities
• Reduced earning capacity
• Personal property damages
• Replacement services
• Other actual losses

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are those losses that are hard to quantify and challenging to prove.

They include things such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of companionship
• Humiliation and inconvenience as a result of the accident and the injuries that resulted
• Loss of reputation

Punitive Damages

You may recover punitive damages after a multi-vehicle accident. However, unlike compensatory damages, which compensate victims after a collision, only a court can award punitive damages to punish the defendant for their egregious actions and deter others and the defendant from committing this act.

Yet, to recover these damages, the accident’s victims must show through clear and convincing evidence that the wrongful party harmed them without just cause or acted with flagrant and deliberate disregard for the safety of others.

Wrongful Death Damages

Losing a loved one because of another person’s recklessness or negligence can be devastating. That is why if your family member died in a multi-car accident because of another person’s wrongful actions, you might be entitled to pursue legal action by filing a wrongful death claim to secure the compensation you need because of the wrongful death.

This compensation tends to include a variety of monetary damages, such as payment for loss of income, funeral expenses, medical expenses from the injuries involved, and loss of companionship, guidance, services, and support.

To determine which financial damages you may be entitled to following a multi-vehicle accident, consider contacting an experienced car accident lawyer. These lawyers can determine which damages you can pursue and help you fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

The Time Limitations Involved to Bring an Injury Claim After a Multi-Vehicle Accident

Another issue victims of a multi-vehicle accident must be aware of is the time limitations of bringing a lawsuit following the collision. These time limitations, also known as the statute of limitation, will depend on the type of claim and the state. However, most individuals bringing an injury suit after a multi-vehicle crash will only have a few years to file a claim. If they do not file within this period, the court can stop them from pursuing the monetary damages they deserve.

For these reasons, contact a skilled car accident attorney as soon as you can after a multi-vehicle accident. These lawyers can determine how much time you have to file your legal claim and help ensure the required documents and files are prepared and submitted before time runs out.

What Evidence Can Help Prove Liability for a Chain-Reaction Collision?

Due to the complicated nature of a chain-reaction collision, it is imperative to collect as much evidence as possible from the accident scene and do so as quickly as possible. That is why contacting an experienced car crash lawyer is so important.

Once retained, your legal professionals can gather evidence in your chain-reaction accident case, such as:

• Police records
• Medical records
• Photos of the accident scene, the cars involved, the injuries that resulted, the weather conditions at the time of the collision, and road defects that could have contributed to the collision
• Videos of the accident

Your lawyers can also look for eyewitnesses who saw the crash to provide testimony regarding what happened, such as:

• The traffic conditions at the time of the collision
• Whether it appeared that any driver was speeding right before the crash
• Whether it appeared if any of the drivers appeared to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol, such as if they were exhibiting erratic driving behavior, weaving in and out of traffic, or slurred speech
• Whether it appeared that the driver appeared to be distracted as they were driving, such as texting and driving
• Whether any motorists ran a stop sign or red light or violated any other driving rules

Consequently, these witnesses can not only provide your attorney with further details about the collision, but they can also help validate your legal claim. Yet, if these witnesses testify in front of a judge or jury, it is up to them to weigh the credibility of the testimony and statements when trying to reach a verdict after the accident.

Can a Lawyer Deal With the Insurance Companies Following a Chain-Reaction Accident?

Chain-reaction accidents tend to result in substantial medical bills, significant income loss, and extensive pain and suffering damages. Due to these costs, insurance companies are usually motivated to try everything to deny the claim, settle for as little as possible, or place the blame on someone else, stopping you from getting the money you need.

After a chain reaction, a knowledgeable car accident attorney can push back against these insurers and help you fight for the total compensation you deserve.

Fight for the Justice and Compensation You Deserve With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one suffered extensive injuries in a multi-car accident due to another person’s wrongful, reckless, or negligent actions, now is the time to fight back and go after the justice and compensation you deserve.

Thankfully, you will not have to take on this fight alone or deal with the complex legal issues yourself. Instead, with an experienced car accident attorney fighting on your behalf, you can have a skilled legal professional going after the financial recovery you need while focusing on yourself and your healing.

When you reach out to an experienced Cape Girardeau personal injury lawyer, they can promptly review your case, determine whether you have a viable legal claim, and determine your legal options.

Once hired, a car accident lawyer can:

• Offer legal advice on the actions you may want to take next and answer all your questions and concerns
• Investigate the details of your accident and secure evidence to help build the strongest case possible on your behalf
• Deal with the insurance companies, handle all the negotiations, and go after a just settlement offer
• Hold all the parties responsible for the crash accountable for the harm and losses endured
• Bring in experts other than accident reconstructionists to validate your legal claims, such as doctors and financial specialists
• Determine if litigation should be pursued, and work zealously to fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to

Do not wait to get the answers you need after a multi-car accident. Instead, contact an experienced car accident lawyer today for a free case consultation and learn how they can help you.