New York City Multi-Vehicle Accident

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. In a multi-vehicle accident car A rear-ends car B. The force of car A hitting car B causes car B to collide with car C. Car C may then end up hitting car D and so on. Multi-vehicle accidents usually involve rear-end accidents, although in some cases head-on collisions and side collisions are sometimes involved. 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 driver negligence. If driver negligence led to a multi-vehicle accident that left you or a loved one injured, contact an experienced New York City Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyer who will review the events that lead to the accident and help you receive the compensation to which you are legally entitled.

One of the most common causes of multi-vehicle accidents is a driver following another vehicle too closely. For example, the driver of car A is operating his car in an aggressive manner, leaving only a small amount of distance between his car and car B in front of him. When the traffic suddenly slows, car B also slows down. However, car A is unable to slow down quickly enough and rear-ends car B, causing car B to lurch forward and crash into the rear of car C.

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1129, drivers are prohibited from following another vehicle "more closely than is reasonable and prudent." Following another vehicle too closely is commonly referred to as tailgating. If a driver tailgates another car and that car slows down unexpectedly, a collision is likely. In fact tailgating is one of the primary causes of rear-end collisions. Once a driver rear-ends one car, the car that was hit may be pushed into the car in front of it resulting in a second collision. This collision may lead to additional collisions, depending on the force of the first collision.

It is important to note that in cases where a multi-vehicle accident occurs when the road is wet or icy, or when there is dense fog or heavy snow, such an accident may still be due to the negligence of a driver. Under New York law, drivers are required to drive in a reasonable manner based on road and traffic conditions.

Negligent 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.

Multi-vehicle accidents are complicated. Oftentimes each driver involved tries to avoid liability by pointing a finger of fault to another driver. However, an experienced New York City 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, head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, side collisions, sideswipe collisions 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.