A multi-vehicle accident is a vehicle accident that involves at least 3 cars, trucks or other vehicles. Such accidents are also referred to as chain reaction accidents or pile-ups. The most serious multi-vehicle car accidents involve more than 3 vehicles and leave victims with serious or fatal injuries. In the typical multi-vehicle accident involves several rear-end accidents. For example, car A rear-ends car B. The force of the collision between car A and car B causes car B to collide with car C. Car C then rear ends car D. Other types of multi-vehicle accidents include head-on collisions. For example, car A rear-ends car B. The force of the collision causes car B to lurch into another lane into the path of oncoming traffic resulting in a head-on collision. While multi-vehicle accidents often occur during bad weather when visibility is low and roads are slippery, the primary cause of these types of accidents is typically driver negligence. A victim of such an accident may suffer a painful, devastating injury such as a brain injury, broke bones, contusion, abrasions, a neck injury, or a spinal cord injury. These types of injuries may involve long recovery times. Fortunately, New York law gives victims of car accidents as well as victims of other types of personal injuries such as medical malpractice the right to seek compensation for their losses. If you are considering contacting a New York Injury Lawyer because you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a car accident, it is critical that you immediately contact an experienced Queens Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyer who will explain to you your legal rights and who will work hard to help you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
Causes of Multi-Vehicle AccidentsOne of the most common causes of pile ups is the rearmost driver following a vehicle too closely or driving too fast. For example, traffic has slowed because of a toll. However, the driver of car A does not notice that traffic has slowed because he is talking on his cell phone. Driver B slows to about 5 mph. The driver of car A does not slow down and slams into the rear of car B. Car B lurches forward and hits car C. Car C lurches forward and hits car D. The driver of car A would be liable for the injuries suffered by the occupants of cars B, C and D because the driver of car A was driving too fast. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1180, drivers are prohibited from driving at a speed that is greater than is reasonable and prudent given the driving conditions. This means that regardless of the posted speed limit if the flow of traffic requires that drivers slow down, then drivers must slow down.
In Passos v. MTA Bus Co., 2015 NY Slip Op 4916 (N.Y. App. Div., 2015), three vehicles were involved in a multi-vehicle accident. The first vehicle was driven by DiPaoli, the middle vehicle, a truck, was driven by plaintiff Roberto Passos, and the rear vehicle, an MTA bus, was driven by defendant Victor Moses. In finding MTA driver Victor Moses at fault, the court noted that when approaching another vehicle from behind the law requires that drivers maintain a reasonably safe rate of speed and take care to avoid a collision. When a collision is a rear-end collision there is a presumption of negligence based on proof that a stopped car was struck in the rear.
Consequences of Multi-Vehicle AccidentsNegligent driving that causes a multi-vehicle accident can have devastating results. Victims often suffer severe injuries. In some cases there are deaths. Serious injuries require extensive medical treatment and prevent the victim from working. The result is mounting medical bills and little income. However, New York law allows victims to sue to recover damages to compensate for losses. Through a personal injury lawsuit you may be able to recover compensation for your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In addition if your property was damaged in the accident, you can sue to recover compensation to repair or replace the property. If a family member died in the accident, then you may be able to recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Queens Multi-Vehicle Accident LawyerMulti-vehicle accidents are complicated. Oftentimes each driver involved tries to avoid liability by pointing a finger of fault to another driver. However, an experienced Long Island Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyer will be able to sort through the complex evidence in order to make sure your rights are protected. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates has extensive experience representing clients injured in chain reaction accidents as well as other types of vehicle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident. We serve individuals injured in accidents throughout the following locations: