Car accidents involving more than two vehicles are among the most severe types of accidents that occur on Kentucky roads. Not only does having more vehicles involved in a crash increase the number of potential injuries, multi-car accidents often result in more serious injuries. Another complication of multi-car crashes is they make determining liability in a car accident more difficult.
If you’re involved in a multi-car accident in Lexington or anywhere else in Kentucky, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Once you’ve seen a doctor, it’s time to contact a Lexington car accident lawyer. The Kentucky car accident attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can review your case details and help you figure out who could be held liable for your injuries and losses. Our attorneys are known for having the Kentucky Courage to stand up to big insurance companies to help injured people. Call today for your free case consultation.
Recent Multi-Car Accident in Lexington
Though car accidents involving more than two vehicles are rare, they’re still more common than you might think. In fact, there was a major accident in Lexington involving more than two vehicles not too long ago.
On July 22, 2021, two people sustained life-threatening injuries following a multi-car accident in Lexington. According to news reports at the time, one car was driving erratically on Versailles Road when the driver sideswiped another car traveling in the same direction. The first driver then overcorrected, putting him into the path of another car coming from the opposite direction. The first driver then collided head-on with the car coming toward him.
An eyewitness to the crash told one TV news station that the first driver and the car he sideswiped were both going well over the posted speed limit when the crash occurred. News reports do not indicate whether the third driver was speeding. At the time of the report, police had not indicated if speed, alcohol, or drugs might have contributed to the crash.
This is a common example of how multi-car accidents occur. They typically happen on crowded roads at high speeds. The initial impact between two cars might send one car flying into the path of another vehicle. Multi-car crashes can also happen at low speeds, especially if one driver rear-ends another and forces the second car into the back of another vehicle.
Lexington Multi-Car Accident Statistics
According to the latest state Traffic Collision Facts report, collisions between two or more vehicles accounted for just over 60 percent of all accidents statewide in just one year.
The latest figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate there were just over 4.5 million crashes involving two or more vehicles across the country in one recent year. Given there were about 6.7 million crashes total across the country that year, close to 70 percent of all collisions nationwide involved at least two vehicles.
Liability in a Multi-Vehicle Accident
Determining liability in a car accident can be a challenge, especially when it involves multiple vehicles. However, it is possible by conducting a thorough investigation into the negligence of all parties involved.
Negligence occurs when someone fails to use reasonable care and caution to avoid putting others in harm’s way. In a two-car accident caused by a drunk driver, for example, the drunk driver would most likely be found negligent because they broke the law when they had a responsibility to drive safely – and only when sober – to avoid injuring others.
The determination of liability becomes more difficult when multiple parties are involved and when more than one person acted negligently. So, who is responsible for a multi-car accident? That depends. To determine liability in a multi-car crash, your car accident lawyer will apply this same principle to all the drivers involved in the collision. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, there could be more than one party who’s responsible for your injuries.
For instance, suppose you were rear-ended by a driver who had already been struck from behind by a third driver. If the driver in the far rear was speeding, intoxicated, distracted, or otherwise negligent, they would likely be held responsible for the crash. But if the driver immediately behind you was also speeding or following too closely, they could also be found partially liable for your injuries.
An experienced multi-car accident lawyer can look closely at an accident and determine if one or more parties could be held responsible for the collision. They can gather evidence to prove how other drivers acted negligently and fight for fair compensation for your claim.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Accident in Lexington
Being involved in a multi-vehicle accident is undeniably frightening, but you need to do what you can in the aftermath of the crash to keep yourself safe and protect your right to seek compensation for your injuries. Here’s what you should do after the collision once you’ve called the authorities:
- Take as many pictures of the scene as you can. These photos can help illustrate how the crash occurred and who may be responsible for your injuries.
- Get the names and insurance information for all of the drivers involved. If more than one driver is responsible for your injuries, you’ll need to file multiple claims to recover full compensation for your losses. This means you’ll need to negotiate with each driver’s insurer.
- See a doctor as soon as possible if you don’t receive emergency medical care at the scene of the accident. A physician can look for injuries you may not be aware of in a physical exam and also create medical records that can be used to support your claim.
- Write down everything you remember about the accident and the sequence of events that led up to it. Include as many details as possible, as these details may fade over time but are crucial to helping you recover compensation.
- Don’t say anything to the other parties’ insurance companies. Insurers will probably try to contact you and get a recorded statement to use against you. Do not speak to them.
- Talk to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the faster they can investigate the accident and recover crucial evidence before it disappears or is destroyed.
Hurt in a Multi-Vehicle Crash? Call Our Professional Attorneys Today
If you still have questions about multi-car accidents in Lexington or would like help with your claim, contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today for a free consultation with a Kentucky Courage car accident attorney. Call us at (877) 809-5352 to get started.
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