Pileups and multi-vehicle accidents can be some of the most devastating and deadly accidents to take place on our roads. Injuries in these accidents can be life-altering, even fatal. If you were injured in a multi-vehicle accident, our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys can help you recover the compensation you need to move forward after suffering significant injuries and losses.
Multi-vehicle car accidents are complex. Despite the fact that many vehicles are involved, it is usually only one or two drivers responsible for the chain reaction that ultimately impacts so many people and causes numerous injuries. However, if you are involved in a multi-vehicle crash, it can be challenging to pinpoint who might be responsible for your accident and your injuries.
That’s where the legal team at Abel Law Firm comes in. Not only do we have experience handling multi-car crash cases, but we also have the resources it takes to fully investigate and recreate the accident. Establishing how and why the accident happened means we can help you build a solid case against a negligent driver and get you the financial reward you need for your injuries. We can also help you negotiate with multiple insurance companies in order to make sure you aren’t being lowballed or taken advantage of.
If you’ve been involved in a multi-vehicle accident, contact the office of Abel Law Firm for answers to your most important questions. The initial consultation is free. Call us at (405) 239-7046 today.
What Is a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
A multi-vehicle accident is any type of collision that involved more than two vehicles. Most multi-vehicle accidents take place on highways and interstates. They also tend to happen at intersections. These locations have heavy traffic flow patterns and areas where the poor decision or negligent actions of one person can trigger an entire chain reaction of events.
This chain reaction tends to end in catastrophic consequences. The most dramatic and horrific example of a multi-vehicle accident tends to be the large-scale pileup accident. While many people tend to think accidents of this nature only happen in large cities or municipalities, weather conditions in addition to other factors make pileup accidents just as likely on Oklahoma roadways. Local media outlets have covered a number of these types of accidents from a 14 car pileup northwest of Oklahoma City to a devastating multi-vehicle crash at an Oklahoma City intersection.
Common Types of Multi-Vehicle Accidents
While the pileup may be the most recognizable type of multi-vehicle accident, there are numerous types of multi-vehicle crashes. The most common multi-vehicle accidents include:
- Pileups
- Highway accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Chain reaction accidents
- Red-light accidents
Causes of Multi-Vehicle Accidents
The cause of most multi-vehicle accidents can be attributed to one thing, negligence. It is typically one negligent action on a driver’s part that results in a serious chain reaction. Wind and ice are the frequent scapegoats of accidents on Oklahoma roadways, but the fact remains that drivers are supposed to exercise due caution when traveling in inclement conditions.
So even though the road may be icy, a reasonable driver would make sure to slow down, drive cautiously, and leave extra space between other vehicles. These are some of the negligent and poor driving behaviors that can cause multi-vehicle accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Drowsy driving
- Rubbernecking
Liability for Multi-Vehicle Collisions
The crash scene at a multi-vehicle accident is messy, filled with debris, and plenty of complications. Multi-vehicle accidents are complex scenes to investigate and sort through. It is challenging to piece together the critical moments just before the accident took place because of the sheer volume of evidence at the scene. This is especially true when you have varying accounts of the accident from multiple people involved and multiple witnesses. That’s why establishing and proving liability in these cases can be so complex.
Oklahoma subscribes to the “modified comparative negligence” rule when assigning liability in any car accident. This means that during a case, the court will be asked to award damages based on the amount of negligence assigned by each party involved in the accident.
For example, say the court determines that the driver who caused the accident was 90 percent to blame because they were driving while texting, but you were 10 percent to blame because you were following too closely. If the total amount of damages is $100,000, you can collect $90,000. That is the total minus the amount of fault that rests with you.
However, if any driver is found to be more than 50 percent to blame for the circumstances of an accident, they will be barred from recovering any compensation. It becomes clear that determining fault and damages can get complicated when multiple people are involved in an accident.
The attorneys at Abel Law Firm have the resources and experience it takes to help investigate the circumstances of multi-vehicle accidents. From recovering video evidence, witness statements, and police reports, to securing an experienced accident reconstruction expert, we have what it takes to build a solid case demonstrating why you deserve maximum compensation for your injuries.
Get in Touch With an Experienced Multi-Vehicle Accident Attorney
It can be complicated trying to pursue compensation following a multi-vehicle accident. You may be trying to work with incomplete information with many moving parts. It is relativity easy to exchange information with one other driver. How do you begin to sort through getting information from multiple other drivers, especially if you are seriously injured?
You don’t have to juggle medical bills and attempt to figure out who is to blame for your accident while trying to recover from your injuries. Let the team at Abel Law Firm work on your behalf to establish liability and get you the compensation you are entitled to.
Call the office of Abel Law Firm if you or a loved one has been injured in a multi-vehicle accident. To schedule a free initial consultation with us, call (405) 239-7046 today.
