Tennessee vehicle collisions can occur for various reasons, such as driver error, poor road or weather conditions, and defective equipment. A chain reaction crash may be caused by reckless or careless behavior by multiple drivers. Passengers in any of these cars, as well as nearby pedestrians, may sustain serious to fatal injuries. For example, significant head trauma or deep lacerations can lead to debilitating conditions, infections, or paralysis. Victims of these types of car accidents may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. However, determining liability in these types of crashes can be especially challenging since there are so many parties involved.
Determining Fault in a Multi-Car Pileup
A multiple-vehicle accident typically occurs when more than two cars hit each other in a series of rear-end collisions. The severity of them often depends on the force or impact of the first crash or the one that started it all. In some cases, a single driver may have been speeding, drunk, or distracted and did not realize the vehicle ahead of them had braked. The negligent motorist may not have enough time to stop without crashing into the back of the stopped vehicle. When there is bumper-to-bumper traffic, this causes the chain reaction similar to a domino effect.
Tennessee is a fault state, which uses the comparative negligence method when determining liability in certain types of accidents. This means a percentage of the blame is assigned to each driver depending on how much their actions contributed to causing the crash. If you are the victim of a chain reaction accident, there are several things you should do to document evidence, which will help in pursuing compensation. First, call 911 if immediate medical assistance is needed. Next, exchange insurance and contact information with all the drivers involved. Then, talk to any eyewitnesses who may have seen the events that led up to the accident. They may even have video footage from their cell phones. In addition, law enforcement should be called to the scene to create an official police report. Also taking photographs of the crash scene on your phone can aid in proving fault. This can include skid marks, vehicle damage from different angles, or debris scattered across the roadway.
Contact a Chattanooga Personal Injury Lawyer
Chain-reaction car accidents can leave vehicle occupants with long-term injuries. At Warren & Griffin, P.C., we recognize how devastating this can be to a family, both financially and emotionally. Our diligent Tennessee personal injury attorneys will work with you or your loved to recover compensation for your damages. To schedule a private consultation, call our office today at 423-265-4878. We are available 24/7.
Source:
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0364