Determining Liability in a Multi-Vehicle Pileup

 Posted on February 02, 2023 in Car Accident

Every year around this time, sleet, snow, and ice make for dangerous driving. Most drivers slow down and take the roads carefully, but not everybody drives safely enough to prevent serious car accidents from happening. 

One such accident recently occurred on the Illinois-Wisconsin border that sent nearly 30 people to the hospital and involved several dozen vehicles. Accidents like this cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage, threaten lives, and often lead to many victims who require expensive, long-term medical care. However, determining who is responsible for such an accident can be very difficult, especially with so many cars involved. If you were hurt in an Illinois multi-vehicle pileup accident, a personal injury lawyer could be very helpful to you. 

Who is Responsible for Causing a Pileup Crash? 

One of the cardinal rules of driving is making sure that you leave enough room between yourself and the car in front of you to come to a sudden and complete stop if necessary. However, multi-car pileups complicate this factor, because getting hit from behind by another car can cause you to lurch forward and hit the car in front of you. 

Generally speaking, a car that rear-ends another car from behind is responsible for the damage to the front car and its occupants. However, if that front car then slides forward and hits the car in front of it as well, the driver who caused the initial crash could be responsible for both accidents. 

Before this can be definitely established, however, accident investigators will examine the particulars of the case. Were all the drivers following each other too closely? Was there ice on the road or reduced visibility? Did the car in front suddenly stop without warning or good reason? These questions can be answered by gathering the following evidence: 

• Tire skidmarks 

• Damage to vehicles, guardrails, road shoulders, and anything else that was disturbed by the accident 

• Passenger injuries

• Eyewitness statements

• Vehicle dash cam footage

• Public traffic cameras 

Taking action quickly is essential for ensuring evidence is preserved. For example, eyewitness testimony is easily forgotten or altered, and even if evidence can be collected after a long time, the statute of limitations for your case may run out. 

Contact a Rolling Meadows Car Crash Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a multi-car pileup, the last thing you want to do is collect evidence to support a claim against the responsible party. Fortunately, the team of experienced Arlington Heights, IL car accident lawyers with Newland & Newland, LLP have the experience necessary to pursue an aggressive investigation and help you get the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled. Contact our office today for a free, no-pressure consultation. Call 847-797-8000. 

Source: 

https://abc7chicago.com/i-94-accident-today-crash-road-conditions-wisconsin-state-police/12742503/