Chain Reaction Accidents

Car accidents can happen for many different reasons, from driver error to a defective motor vehicle part. In some automobile accident situations, more than one vehicle is involved in the collision, and sometimes several vehicles are affected by a single driver’s negligence. Depending upon the specific facts of the case, some multi-vehicle accidents can also involve negligence on the part of more than one driver. If you have been involved in a chain reaction accident involving multiple motor vehicles, it is important to work with a chain reaction car accident lawyer to prove that you are entitled to compensation when you file a claim.

Like the name suggests, a chain reaction crash is one type of multi-vehicle crash in which multiple vehicles collide with one another in a chain of rear-end collisions. For instance, a chain reaction accident might look something like the following:

• Driver B is driving behind Driver A, and when Driver A stops quickly to avoid a bicyclist who swerved out of the bike lane and into the road, Driver B strikes the rear end of Driver A’s vehicle;
• Meanwhile, Driver C had been driving behind Driver B, and when Driver B strikes the rear end of Driver A’s car, Driver C cannot stop quickly enough and collides into the rear of Driver B’s car;
• In the meantime, Driver D had been following too closely to Driver C, and when Driver C collides into the rear of Driver B’s car, Driver D strikes the rear of Driver C’s vehicle;
• Then, and finally, Driver E was not paying attention while driving behind Driver D and ends up colliding into the rear of Driver D’s vehicle.

Ultimately, we might visualize the chain reaction like this:

• Driver A ← Driver B ← Driver C ← Driver D ← Driver E.

In the hypothetical chain reaction crash scenario above, the bicyclist’s negligent behavior might have been the initial cause of the collision. Then Driver B’s negligence (in following too closely behind Driver A) contributed to the collision, and several of the other drivers also may have been negligent. Often, a chain reaction accident begins because one party is negligent or behaves carelessly. However, chain reaction accidents often involve multiple vehicles because more than one driver was negligent.

Proving fault in a chain reaction accident can be complicated, and the issue of comparative fault or contributory negligence often arises in these types of crashes. Yet even if you are partially responsible, you still may be able to recover damages. For example, California follows a model of pure comparative fault.

Accordingly, under California law, a plaintiff who has been injured in a car crash can recover damages even if she is partially to blame—whether the plaintiff is 1% or 99% responsible. However, the plaintiff’s damages award ultimately will be offset by her percentage of fault.

If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a chain reaction accident, you should work with an experienced car accident attorney with experience in chain reactions to file your claim. While proving fault in a chain reaction crash can be complicated, your lawyer can help to show that you deserve financial compensation for your losses. Contact the Walton Law Firm today to get started on your case.