Who’s at Fault for a Multi-Car Pile-Up Accident?

Every accident that results in a multi-car pile-up is unique. Although proving fault for these events is rarely easy, it’s absolutely essential for resolving disputes and accurately adjusting claims to ensure any rightful compensation is secured. Given the magnitude of damage involved, drivers are rarely eager to admit liability, even if they were engaging in grossly negative behaviors that contributed to the collision.

However, no matter how complex or cut and dry any car accident initially appears, it’s important for insurance companies and responding officers to carefully examine all relevant details. After analyzing all pertinent factors thoroughly, an initial determination of fault may prove wrong. This is vital to note if you’ve been in a multi-car pile-up in Indiana and don’t agree with how fault was assigned.

Why Police Reports for a Multi-Car Pile-Up Don’t Guarantee Accuracy

Police reports are an important form of evidence for any accident involving personal injury claims. Thus, it’s absolutely critical for these reports to be as accurate and comprehensive as they can be. Unfortunately, there’s always the potential for oversights and mistakes in these reports that could be harmful to those impacted by them. This remains true when a collision involves multiple people and vehicles. Not only are responding officers responsible for drafting these reports, but they often pull double duty by:

• Making sure that accident victims are in a safe, stable condition until other first responders arrive
• Cordoning the scene of the event off
• Setting up road flares to alert oncoming traffic of road blockages
• Administering sobriety tests
• Interviewing witnesses

The scene of a multi-car pile-up is frequently chaotic. Crafting an accurate report becomes secondary to saving human lives, mitigating further damages, and identifying illegal activity among other things. In the midst of this chaos, professionals overlook multiple details. It’s additionally important to note that multi-vehicle accidents are usually attended by numerous officers. Creating a cohesive report from statements taken and made by multiple parties is hardly easy. It’s also possible for documenting officers to accidentally misrepresent statements, record them incorrectly, or write them down in vague ways. Thus, even if the police report for a multi-car pile-up determines one or more parties to be at fault, other evidence may prove that this determination simply isn’t true.

Firsthand Witnesses and Evidence Collection

Helpful details can be obtained from firsthand witnesses whether they were passing on the other side of the road, are pedestrians, or were nearby but managed to escape being directly involved. People who were present at the time of these events often notice details that are missed by drivers who are scrambling to make evasive maneuvers. If you have the opportunity to do so, try to collect the names and contact information of any firsthand witnesses that you encounter. Their statements could prove essential for ensuring the assigning of correct liability.

Video Footage and Data Recording Devices

In today’s technology-driven society, someone’s security camera potentially captured some or all of the event. GPS tracking technologies and black boxes in any involved commercial vehicles can help as well. When you work with attorney Matt Boulton, he’ll look for evidence like this to get a clear, accurate picture of exactly what went wrong. Sometimes, when no corners are cut and all details are examined, video footage and other evidence directly conflict with the statements of drivers and firsthand witnesses, and even with the details recorded in an official police report.

What Are the Most Common Causes of a Multi-Car Pile-Up?

Many people involved in major multi-car pile-ups are absolutely clueless about their cause. One minute drivers are moving along at a comfortable pace and the next, fast-moving vehicles are colliding into them and pushing them into other cars. However, there are certain environmental conditions that make these events more likely including:

• Inclement weather
• Drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel
• Intoxicated drivers
• Distracted drivers
• Automotive malfunction or failure
• Construction zones
• Tailgating

If a multi-vehicle pile-up occurs during heavy snow, thorough investigators might check whether all vehicles have winter-appropriate tires. When these events involve semi-trucks or other commercial vehicles, they might additionally check black boxes or data recording devices. These identify negligent behaviors such as speeding or excessively long driving times. These details often remain unaccounted for in police reports but can make all the difference in correctly assigning blame.

There Are Often Multiple Factors That Contribute to a Multi-Car Pile-Up

Not surprisingly, multi-car accidents are most common in winter. When the outside temperatures plummet, freezing and excessively wet conditions can increase stopping distances and lead to problems like skidding and hydroplaning. Inclement weather can also impact visibility. These factors can have an impact on everyone involved in these events. However, drivers involved in multi-car pileups with poorly maintained tires, brakes, or evidence of having driven while distracted may be more responsible than others.

Location, Vehicle Sizes, and the Time at Which Accidents Have Occurred

It’s also important for investigators to consider things like the time that a multi-car pile-up occurred and the location. At certain hours of the day, motorists are more likely to be operating their vehicles while tired or while under the influence. In certain areas, drivers are more likely to speed. It’s even important to consider the size of the vehicles involved. With their heavier weights and significantly larger sizes, commercial trucks have far longer stopping distances than do passenger vehicles.

Conclusion

When investigators carefully assess all of the details surrounding these events, their findings concerning fault may differ from what people expect. If you have questions about how fault was assigned in a multi-vehicle accident, Boulton Law Group can help. Contact us today for a free evaluation.