Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death in America. In 2019, the crash rate in Nashville was ten times higher than the population growth rate. With such a high rate of car accidents, having the best car accident attorneys in Nashville representing you can be a huge advantage.
Typically, car accidents often involve two vehicles, but occasionally, some accidents involve more than two vehicles. Such accidents are referred to as multi-car accidents or pile-ups. Usually, multi-car accidents happen on highways where vehicles are often driving at high speeds.
Therefore, determining fault in a two-car accident is often straightforward, whereas determining fault in a multi-car accident is often complicated. We discuss this and more below.
Common Causes of Multi-Car Accidents
Multi-car accidents are usually a result of one car hitting another, leading to a chain reaction. Overspeeding, drunk driving, and bad weather are a few things that can cause multi-car accidents. Hazardous road conditions can also contribute to this accident type. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common causes.
- Speed
Driving at very high speeds can make it difficult to take precautions when necessary. In addition, not putting enough distance between the cars in front would ensure that a driver’s response time would be little. This can lead to collisions with other vehicles.
- Intoxication
Driving under the influence of a substance — alcohol or drugs — would impair a driver’s ability behind the wheels. As a result, such a driver can misjudge distances or drift into lanes.
- Weather
Multi-car accidents frequently occur in bad weather, either as a result of low visibility or slippery roads. In such conditions, drivers cannot afford to drive too fast as they may not have enough time to react in the event of a road mishap.
- Distraction
Taking your eyes off the road to receive a call, send or reply to a text, or adjust the radio dial could be enough to cause a road accident.
- Drowsy Driving
Driving while sleepy can be as dangerous as driving while drunk. Sleepy drivers can easily crash into the car before them or veer off their lane.
- Tailgating
Tailgating refers to the act of driving too close to another car. Driving this way makes it difficult to stop when it is required.
Why You Need to Determine Fault in a Nashville Multi-Car Accident?
You may be wondering why it is important to determine fault in a Nashville multi-car accident. One reason for determining fault in a multi-car accident is to know how claims and disputes would be resolved. For example, after an accident has occurred, the injured parties would often require compensation. But without proving fault, a resolution would be impossible.
Determining fault in a multi-car accident also helps to determine the level of damages to be awarded to the parties involved. In some states, the comparative fault rule applies to awarding damages. Tennessee uses the modified comparative rule and can award damages to individuals provided they are responsible for less than 50% of the fault.
How to Determine Fault in a Multi-Car Accident
Now that you know what can cause a multi-car accident and why it is important to determine fault, how can you determine fault? This section offers some tips.
Multi-car accidents generally fall under a multi-car rear-end accident and a multi-car head-on collision. While there are other ways multi-car accidents can happen, these are the most frequent. Consequently, proving fault for each of these accidents presents different challenges.
For a multi-car rear-end accident, the first car to rear-end another is usually at fault. However, that is not always the case and more than one car might be at fault. Similarly, in a multi-car head-on collision accident, the driver that veers into another driver’s lane is usually at fault. However, where the driver’s actions have been influenced by another driver’s actions, the fault would be on the driver who caused him to veer off.
It might not always be immediately evident who is at fault in a multi-car accident. Therefore, you would need some help with that. Surveillance footage, police reports, and statements from eyewitnesses can help to establish fault in such situations. If needed, get an accident reconstruction expert’s report.
Get Help From Nashville Personal Injury Lawyers
Being in a car accident can be a terrible and demoralizing experience, and we understand this. This is why our Nashville personal injury lawyers treat your case with the utmost importance. If you have been involved in a multi-car accident in Nashville, you could be eligible to receive damages for your injuries.
With our vast legal knowledge and combined years of experience, we’ll get you the maximum compensation. We are always available to discuss your situation, so contact us today for a free consultation.