Chain Reaction Car Accidents
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality of modern life, and have the potential to cause serious injury and even death. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States today. Sometimes car accident liability is clear; a driver was speeding, distracted, drunk, or otherwise negligent and caused a crash. In others, it is not always obvious who is at fault for an accident, and legal liability is disputed.
No matter what the circumstances of your car accident, it is wise to retain the services of a Florida car accident lawyer, but it is especially important when there are multiple parties involved and liability is in question. Fortunately for car accident victims, Florida negligence law allows people injured by someone else’s negligence to recover for their injuries through a personal injury lawsuit. Damages available in personal injury lawsuits can include compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and lost wages, among others. In order to determine whether you have a claim, you should contact one of the experienced personal injury attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, PA to have your case reviewed. We have been representing people injured by the negligence of others since 1970, and are dedicated to getting our clients the compensation they deserve.
Determining Liability in Chain Reaction AccidentsChain reaction accidents are accidents in which several vehicles are involved, and one or more of the vehicles started a series of events that led to the accidents. For example, a simple form of a chain reaction accident would be if several cars were stopped at a light and one slammed into the car of it, sending it into the following car. In this simple chain reaction accident, the likely result would be that the car that started the sequence of events would be liable for all the damage caused.
Another common chain reaction accident scenario is when one car A rear ends another car B, and car C hits car A because it was following too closely. In this case, it is probable that while the driver of car A would be liable to the driver of car A for any injuries or damage caused, the driver of car C would be liable to the driver of car B as well. As one can imagine, chain reaction accidents can get extremely complicated very quickly, and when there are several parties involved the issue of who becomes liable to who can be very contentious. Some common types of accidents that may trigger chain reaction accidents include the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- Jackknifing trucks
- Drunk driving accidents
- Accidents that result from speeding
- Distracted driving accidents
- Failure to stay in a lane
- Sudden stops
- Bad weather accidents
Because of the massive force often involved in chain reaction accidents, the injuries that people sustain can be serious and life-altering. Fortunately for victims, Florida allows injured people to recover compensation from the party or parties responsible for the accident. Because some injuries may result in long-term disability, enormous medical expenses, life-long care, or the inability to work, it is extremely important for injured parties to obtain the compensation to which they are entitled. Some common types of injuries that occur in chain reaction accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Burns
- Soft tissue injury
- Severed limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Coma
These are just some of the injuries that people can sustain in chain reaction accidents, and victims are eligible for compensation for any injuries that may occur. In order to determine whether you have a legal claim as a result of a chain reaction accident, you should have the circumstances of your case reviewed by an experienced car accident attorney. The legal issues in determining causation and fault in multiple party negligence cases is often very complicated, and it is important to consult with an attorney who has experience in handling these types of cases.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney for a Free ConsultationIf you or a loved one has been involved in a chain reaction car accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. After an accident, it is important to record as much information as possible regarding the accident, including taking photos of the aftermath, if possible. In addition, be sure to undergo a thorough medical evaluation, to ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed and documented. Keep in mind that personal injury claims are subject to a strict statute of limitations, meaning that there is a limited amount of time in which an injured person can file a claim. Any delay may also risk the loss or destruction of evidence favorable to your case, or perhaps the fading of witnesses’ memories. By retaining one of the car accident attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, PA, you can be sure that your legal rights will be aggressively represented. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.