Who’s At Fault in Multi-Vehicle Pileups?

If you have been involved in a multi-vehicle pileup, you may be lost and confused about who is at fault. These types of accidents usually involve three or more vehicles, which often leads to conflict, disagreements, and finger-pointing among the drivers about who is responsible.

With multiple parties that may share in the liability, you should avoid speaking to insurers for the other drivers or anyone else who might use your own words against you. The smart course of action is to consult with a Columbus car accident lawyer right away. Your attorney will be in the best position to help you sort everything out, determine liability, and protect yourself from those who seek to saddle you with the blame.

What causes multi-vehicle pileups?

A multi-vehicle pileup is a car crash that involves more than two vehicles. For example, if a driver rear-ends the vehicle in front of them and the impact pushes that vehicle into the back of another vehicle, it is considered a multi-vehicle pileup. Various factors can lead to these types of car accidents, such as:

• Speeding: When drivers speed, they are unable to react to certain traffic scenarios or stop in time to avoid colliding with other vehicles. If a driver is driving too fast and cannot stop in time at a red light or stop sign, they may enter the intersection while other drivers are traveling perpendicular to them, potentially causing a multiple-car collision.
• Following too closely: Drivers who follow too closely or tailgate may not have enough time to stop or react when the vehicle in front of them hits their brakes. When this happens, domino effects are common, resulting in multi-vehicle pileups.
• Distracted driving: Distracted driving involves talking on the phone, checking emails, sending text messages, eating or drinking, putting on makeup, and even talking to passengers. When a driver is distracted, their hands may be off the steering wheel, and their attention is likely elsewhere. Due to this, they may miss important traffic signs or changes in traffic patterns, which could lead to a multi-crash pileup.
• Weather conditions: Weather conditions are one of the most common causes of multi-vehicle pileups. When the roads are wet, icy, or snowy, drivers may lose control, and their vehicles may slide and crash into one another. Additionally, heavy fog can lead to a pile-up because drivers may not see cars in front of them until they are so close that they cannot stop in time.
• Drunk driving: Drivers who get behind the wheel after having alcoholic beverages experience delayed reaction times, lack of judgment, and impaired problem-solving skills. They may also become aggressive, which can result in multi-vehicle pileups.
• Mechanical issues: Mechanical issues can be anything from a tire blowout, a defective vehicle part, or a brake problem. When these issues arise, drivers usually lose control of their vehicles, resulting in traumatic and devastating multi-vehicle crashes.
• Large, heavy vehicles: Vehicles like large semi-trucks take much longer to stop than smaller cars, motorcycles, or SUVs. If a car stops abruptly in front of a large truck, the truck driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid rear-ending the car in front of them. In some cases, the size and weight of the truck can cause it to push the other vehicle into more cars as well.

Who may be at fault in multi-vehicle pileups?

Each multi-vehicle pileup is unique, and the at-fault party in your accident may differ from another person’s case. In some instances, more than one party may be found responsible. Potential at-fault parties can include:

• One or more negligent drivers who caused or contributed to the crash.
• A manufacturer of one of the vehicles involved in the crash.
• A vehicle owner who failed to maintain or fix their vehicle.
• An employer that failed to properly train or supervise their worker or maintain their company vehicle.
• A distracted pedestrian or bicyclist who got in the way of traffic.

Ohio’s comparative negligence system

In multi-vehicle pileups, it is not uncommon to have several people share in the liability. If you believe that you may be partially at fault for a multi-vehicle accident in Columbus, it is important for you to understand Ohio’s comparative negligence system. Under this type of system, the court will assign a percentage of fault to the drivers responsible for the crash. The percentage will lead to a reduction in damages, but as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can still recover from another at-fault party.

For example, if you are determined to be 40 percent at fault for the multi-vehicle pileup, your award amount will be reduced by 40 percent, which means that you will still receive 60 percent of your damages.

What types of evidence can help me prove liability in a multi-vehicle pileup?

To prove that other parties are at fault for your multi-vehicle pileup, you will need to collect strong and convincing evidence that their actions led to the collision. You will also have to indicate that they acted negligently in some way. A few of the different forms of evidence that you can collect to prove this include:

• Photos and videos from the crash scene
• Surveillance footage from local businesses or traffic cameras
• Dashcam footage
• Eyewitness statements
• Expert witness testimonies
• Police reports

At Soroka & Associates, LLC, our Columbus car accident lawyers are aware of the unique legal challenges that often emerge when dealing with multi-vehicle pileups. Therefore, when you work with us, you can have peace of mind knowing that no matter how complicated your case becomes, we will be there, working to protect your legal rights and secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life again. Call our office or submit our contact form today to learn more about how we can help you with your case at a free consultation. We are available and ready to serve clients throughout Central Ohio.