A multi-car accident can be a terrifying moment. The effects can impact your life for months or years. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer may be necessary to ensure that you get the compensation you actually deserve, not just what the insurance companies will try to get you to take.
At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, we know how to win. Our experienced team of injury attorneys represents victims of multi-vehicle pileups throughout Colorado. We understand the challenges that arise when multiple parties may share liability, and we know how to push back against insurers who claim you deserve a greater proportion of the blame than you actually do.
What Is a Multi-Car Accident?
A multi-car accident is any type of collision involving at least two other vehicles. Most of the time, they are chain reaction crashes: Car A hits Car B, who then hits Car C, and so on.
Chain reactions are one type of multi-car accident, but they’re not the only kind. You can be in a multi-car pileup because of a truck jackknifing and hitting multiple vehicles. You can be in a crash if multiple cars and trucks hit patches of ice and end up smashing into the same spot, like a building or a guardrail. No matter how or why the accident occurs, a Colorado car accident lawyer from our firm can help.
What Are the Causes of Multi-Vehicle Collisions?
Some reasons why a multi-vehicle accident happens include:
- Driver impairment due to the use of alcohol or drugs, or other substances
- Driver distraction
- Dangerous road hazards (think of US 160 and US 50, which are known for their slick conditions and potholes)
- Speeding or other reckless behavior
- Driver inexperience
- Defective auto or truck parts
- Poor road design
- Inadequate warnings about dangerous conditions
There are many other potential reasons why a multi-vehicle accident happens. A car or truck accident lawyer from our firm can determine the underlying cause of the accident as a part of their review.
Who Is Liable for a Multi-Vehicle Pileup in Colorado?
Here is an example. You are at a red light patiently waiting for your turn when a driver (A) slams into the back of your car (B), causing your car to smash into the car in front of you (C). The force of impact then pushes Car C into the intersection, where a speeding and distracted truck driver (D) strikes the car. Who is financially responsible in a multi-car accident like this?
Driver A is likely to be considered negligent, as he or she was the first to crash. But the truck driver (Driver D) is also likely to be held negligent, which means he or she may share liability. The most important thing we do as your lawyer is argue that even though your car hit Car C, you were not at fault, and therefore should not be held liable.
These cases can be complicated and require significant resources. Our firm has those resources, and we have experience with these types of cases. We gather evidence, use accident reconstruction tools, and use every type of evidence a car or truck offers to establish liability.
Why Pileups with Tractor-Trailers Can Be Harder Cases
All vehicle accidents can have challenges. Truck accidents, however, can be particularly tough. There are several reasons for that:
Liability Is Different in Cases with Commercial Trucks
Trucking companies follow different rules. They’re subject to different regulations. Because of that, liability may be different. Sometimes, the truck driver is solely responsible, but usually it’s the trucking company that bears liability. Other times, the broker or shippers employing or using that driver’s services are partially to blame, and they can be held partially liable. We may need to sue multiple people to get the fair result you deserve, and that can make things more complicated.
Injuries Stemming From Multi-Truck Collisions Can Be Life-Altering
Multi-truck accidents can result in life-threatening and life-changing injuries. Our team has experience representing folks with catastrophic injuries such as:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Serious lacerations
- Amputations
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death losses
- HAZMAT-related injuries, including toxic chemical and material exposure
These types of injuries take a very long time to heal, if they ever fully do. Some people sustain secondary injuries related to initial harms; others may die before their case resolves. All of these scenarios make truck-related pileups more challenging.
You May Be Dealing With Federal Agencies and Investigations
Victims of a truck accident on Interstate 25 or US Highway 40, for example, may have to deal with federal agencies such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In these situations, the federal government’s investigation always takes center stage. If criminal charges stem from the accident, then those will typically be handled first, too. If no criminal charges or fines are levied, then the insurance companies will try to use this to say they aren’t liable.
All of this means that your multi-car accident may take much longer. And the longer it takes, the more memories fade and the more likely it is that evidence may be lost.
Whose Insurance Pays in a Multi Car Accident?
The at-fault party(ies) pays for the accident-related losses. That includes truck insurance companies when trucks are involved.
How Our Truck Accident Lawyers Throughout Colorado Can Help
At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, we prioritize your rights. After a formal conversation about what happened and how it impacted your life, we investigate your case thoroughly. That means going beyond the police report to review evidence, such as the driver’s chemical test or commercial truck logs, to find out what was really behind the incident.
We also talk to your doctor, medical experts, and others who can demonstrate what has happened to you. Then, our firm starts the fight for fair compensation for you from the accident. We are not going to let the insurance company deny valid claims. We will negotiate and, if they do not treat you fairly, we will file a lawsuit.
With our team, expect:
- A fast response to your request for help. We value your time.
- Clear expectations and transparency. We do not overpromise.
- Aggressive legal representation. We keep the insurance companies at bay by handling
Multi-Vehicle Collisions Can Be Devastating. Let Our Attorneys Help
Depend on the difference makers at Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers. With over $2 billion recovered for our clients, we know how to get results. Contact Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers now for a free consultation. We have offices throughout Colorado for your convenience.
