Baltimore Multiple Vehicle Accident Attorneys

Multiple Vehicle Accidents

Multiple vehicle accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents for Maryland drivers. Any vehicle accident carries the risk of serious injury, but with multiple vehicle accidents, the likelihood of suffering serious injury, multiple injuries, or death is multiplied. Not only are these accidents more serious, but liability claims are much more complicated. These cases can involve multiple drivers and passengers, all with different insurance companies pointing fingers at each other. With so much at stake in a multiple vehicle accident, you may want to consider talking to an attorney as soon as possible so you can recover your damages without being held responsible for someone else’s negligent driving.

Causes of Multiple Vehicle Accidents

There are a number of potential causes of a multiple vehicle accident. Most such accidents involve one or more negligent drivers. However, additional factors, such as weather, can easily turn a simple two-car accident into a multi-vehicle pileup. In other cases, it is a vehicle malfunction that causes the accident, which could leave the car company liable for the injuries involved.

Bad weather is related to a number of multiple vehicle accidents. Snow, icy conditions, and heavy rain can create dangerous driving conditions. Drivers are supposed to drive at a speed and a manner that they can safely operate their vehicles. However, many drivers don’t slow down when the weather gets bad or drive at dangerously high speeds.

When traffic slows down, or a vehicle merges into their lane, they may not have time to safely slow their vehicle. They could hydroplane, lose traction with the road, or lose control of the vehicle, slamming into the vehicle in front of them. Given the bad road conditions, the impacted vehicle may then spin out of control striking other cars in a domino effect, leading to a multiple vehicle accident. However, even though the bad weather contributed to the accident, the speeding driver may be liable for the accident because they breached their duty of care to safely operate their vehicle.

Some intersections and roadways are also more prone to multiple vehicle accidents. For example, confusing directional signs, changing traffic signals, areas of poor visibility, construction sites, and busy off-ramps may be more likely to involve multiple vehicle accidents than other locations. There are a number of such dangerous intersections throughout Maryland. In some cases, the city or county is aware of the dangerous conditions, but may be slow to enact changes to make the intersections safer.

However, in most cases, the liability for the accident is placed on the driver. A number of accidents involve impaired or distracted drivers. In general, the number of drunk drivers is on the decline, there may be an increase in drivers under the influence of other substances, including prescription medication. Also on the rise are accidents involving distracted drivers who are on the phone, texting, or otherwise taking their eyes off the road, leading to a crash.

Other accidents have nothing to do with the driver. There are many cases where a vehicle malfunctions or a defective part leads to an accident. Unintended acceleration, airbag malfunctions, and driver’s seat malfunctions can lead to multiple vehicle accident. In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer may even be aware of the problem. In these cases, the manufacturer or car company may be liable to the injured drivers and passengers for the accident.

Liability in Multiple Vehicle Accidents

Liability in multiple vehicle accidents can be extremely complicated. With multiple cars and multiple drivers involved, it may be unclear who caused the accident. In some cases, multiple drivers may have caused the accident. For example, if two vehicles are merging into the same lane from opposite lanes, if they signal and look, they will see the other driver coming into the lane, and stay in their lane. However, if both drivers do not signal and don’t look for other drivers, they could both crash into each other. In this situation, they may both be at fault for causing the accident.

Liability in a multiple vehicle accident is rarely straightforward. Even if a driver knows they were driving while distracted, or speeding before the accident, they may claim the other driver caused the accident. Each driver in a multi-car crash may have a different version of what happened. At that point, it may be up to the police, the insurance companies, and the court to come to a decision on who may be liable.

If another driver or their insurance company blames you for causing the accident, you should consider talking to an attorney as soon as you can. A multiple vehicle accident can involve expensive injury and damage claims. It may be more money than your insurance policy covers. A multiple vehicle accident is also more likely to involve litigation than a simple car accident. You will want to make sure that you are not held responsible for another driver’s negligence. The driver who caused the accident should be responsible for paying your damages, and making sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Baltimore Multiple Vehicle Accident Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in a multiple vehicle accident, the law firm of Gilman & Bedigian may be able to help. Liability in these accidents can be complicated and contentious. This is why you should talk to a lawyer about taking on your case, so you won’t be on the hook for someone else’s negligence. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with automobile accident cases throughout Maryland. We will fight for your rights to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.