Were you injured in a car crash involving three or more vehicles? Multi-car collisions can be complicated, but a skilled attorney can help you resolve the confusion and get the compensation you need to move forward.
You can trust a Savannah personal injury lawyer from our team to investigate your accident thoroughly, identify the at-fault party or parties, and hold them accountable for compensating you for the damage they have caused.
How much does it cost to hire a multi-car crash lawyer in Savannah?
Regrettably, many car accident victims do not get a fair settlement. They take what the insurance company offers, thinking they cannot afford to pay an attorney. You do not have to worry about legal costs with Rafi Law Firm.
We provide free case reviews, and if we take your case, we work on a contingency basis. This means we get paid once you get your settlement. Our fees are taken from your settlement. We will explain our fee scale to you during your consultation so there are no surprises or hidden costs.
Why are multi-car crashes so dangerous?
The potential for severe injuries and fatalities increases with the number of cars involved in an accident. Multiple cars mean there are multiple impacts. Some vehicles can be hit from every angle or feel a secondary impact when another hits the vehicle that hit them.
What are the different types of multi-car accidents?
There are multiple ways to have a multi-car accident, including the following.
Head-on collision
Head-on collisions can occur when a car drifts into lanes of traffic with cars traveling in the opposite direction. A driver may drift out of sheer lack of attention, from nodding off behind the wheel, or because another car traveling in the same direction on a multi-lane road sideswipes the driver, “pushing” them into the lanes of opposite traffic.
There are also scenarios where an impaired or very confused driver enters a highway the wrong way and causes head-on collisions.
Side-impact collision
Side-impact collisions can occur when a car rolls through a stop sign or other traffic signal. Intersections, especially when a car is making a left-hand turn, are also prime settings for these kinds of accidents.
For example, the car making the left turn either hits or is hit by, a car traveling in the opposite lane of traffic. The crashed cars come to a stop in the middle of the road and other cars crash into them.
Rear-end collision
Rear-end collisions are probably the most common type of multi-car accidents. The lead car comes to a stop, abruptly or not, but the car behind it does not stop in time, hitting that lead car. Then, a third car hits the rear of the car hits the lead car, and so on.
Other times, the car behind the lead car may stop in time and only crash into that lead car when hit from behind by a third car that fails to stop in time and “pushes” the car in front of it into the lead car upon impact.
Pile-up collision
“Pile-up collision” is a broad term describing any type of multi-car collision. In these accidents, an initial crash occurs, and other cars cannot avoid the crashed vehicle or vehicles and collide with them, and the pile-up ensues.
A single-car accident can be the precursor for a pile-up. The driver hits a slick patch of road and skids out, bounces off the guardrail, and comes to a stop in the path of traffic creating an unexpected obstacle other vehicles cannot–or do not–avoid.
What are some common causes and contributing factors of pile-up accidents?
Unfortunately, there is no shortage of reasons for pile-up accidents to occur. From human error to “acts of God” to everything in between, the causes span a wide spectrum. When one car hits another–or a pedestrian or obstacle–that event can start a domino effect. That one collision leads to another and another.
Blocked line of sight
To drive safely, you have to be able to see what is in front of you, behind you, or coming up next to you. When lines of sight decrease, the possibility of accidents increases.
Road hazards
Road hazards can take the form of obstacles in the road or poor road conditions. In the course of your driving experiences, you have probably seen debris strewn across highways, broken car parts–mufflers or rogue hubcaps, for example–littering local roads, and may have swerved to avoid loose truck cargo. You have also likely driven on roads with dangerously deep potholes or scattered with loose gravel.
All of these conditions present hazards. They may cause collisions with the road obstacle or with other cars when drivers try to avoid the obstacle. Tires can come loose from potholes, and loose gravel can lead to skidouts.
Adverse weather conditions
Savannah is no stranger to rain. Slick or puddle-riddled road surfaces can cause accidents as can heavy rainfall or fog that reduce drivers’ visibility.
Distracted driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,522 lives were lost nationwide in a recent year because of distracted driving accidents. While texting and driving is a major culprit in these accidents, it is not the only one. Driving while eating, engaging in discussions, watching the scenery, adjusting the temperature or music selections, or doing anything else that takes attention off the road, counts as distracted driving.
Tailgating and insufficient stopping distance
In Georgia, following too closely can get drivers three points on their license. Georgia drivers are not permitted to tailgate or drive closer to vehicles “than is reasonable and prudent” and with good reason. Rear-end accidents are almost impossible to avoid if another driver is on your tail and you have to decelerate quickly or come to a sudden stop.
Vehicle malfunctions or defects
We trust vehicle and vehicle part manufacturers to produce safe, operational products. When they equip cars with defective elements or when a physical part or system in a vehicle malfunctions, devastating accidents can result.
Brake system failure, tire blowouts, and compromised steering systems are obvious major malfunctions. However, even minor issues like defective brakes or reverse lights can cause crashes.
Highways and rush-hour traffic
Highways are built for high-speed travel, but high speeds contribute to accidents. Reaction times–whether to swerve or slow down–are no match for a fast-moving car, no matter how experienced the driver. While highways do not produce the greatest number of accidents, those occurring on highways tend to be more serious because of the high speeds involved.
Commuting in rush hour traffic is no one’s idea of a good time. Congestion and slow progress are not just frustrating but create opportunities for multi-car fender benders or more serious accidents.
Why are multi-car crashes so complicated?
The “multi” is what makes multi-car crashes so complicated. With more parties involved, it becomes trickier to identify the at-fault party or parties. And, with multiple drivers represented, there are multiple insurance companies to manage. By partnering with a multi-car wreck lawyer in Savannah, you do not have to sort through those complications. Your attorney from Rafi Law Firm will take care of them.
Liability
Determining liability is the first and probably most important step when pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. You can only collect a settlement if you determine who is liable and can prove their liability with convincing evidence.
Trying to make this determination on your own is not a good idea. You need someone with connections to accident reconstructionists, an understanding of Georgia personal injury law, and experience in investigating car accidents. The attorneys at Rafi Law Firm have the connections, knowledge, and experience needed to conduct a thorough and productive investigation.
Insurance companies
Insurance companies can be challenging to work with even in the simplest circumstances. They try to evade blame to reduce their payout. When there are various options for where to direct this blame, as with multi-car crashes, the blame game levels up.
Do not let these insurance companies drag out your case with blame games. Your attorney will hold these companies accountable and stop their tricks so you can get the settlement you deserve and move on with your life.
Comparative vs. contributory negligence
Fortunately for victims, Georgia operates under a comparative negligence system, which allows victims to pursue compensation if they are less than 50% to blame for the accident. If they still hold some fault, compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% responsible for the accident and the total calculated settlement is $100,000, you would collect $80,000.
With so many parties involved in a multi-car crash, there is a lot of finger-pointing. A multi-car crash accident lawyer in Savannah will work to ensure you are not assigned unwarranted blame.
Our Savannah multi-car crash attorneys are here to help
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a multi-car crash in or around Savannah, please contact Rafi Law Firm at (912) 461-6798 or through our online contact form. Our Savannah multi-car crash attorneys are here and ready to help you sort through the unique complexities of your multi-car accident and fight for the settlement you deserve.
While you put your energy where it belongs into healing, we will investigate your accident, value your losses, gather evidence to prove the at-fault parties’ negligence, support your settlement demand, and handle all settlement negotiations. You can count on us to be there for you.
