Chain Reaction and Multi Vehicle Accidents
Seasoned Car Crash Lawyer Serving Massachusetts Residents
In major metropolitan areas as well as more rural communities across Massachusetts, there are countless situations where chain reaction and multiple-vehicle accidents can occur. These are situations where numerous vehicles are involved in the same accident. One of the best examples is a rear end collision that causes a chain reaction as each vehicle slams into the vehicle in front of it due to the impact. Although these accidents may seem straightforward, it can sometimes be difficult to establish who is entitled to compensation and who is at fault for the accident. Having a skilled Massachusetts car accident attorney on your side to protect your rights and to negotiate with insurance companies is one of the best ways to protect your interests in this situation.
Asserting Your Right to Compensation
Whether you suffered minor injuries or devastating catastrophic disabilities in your accident, there are steps you must follow to recover compensation from the person who caused your injuries. The first step to securing the outcome that you deserve by filing a lawsuit is to file a negligence claim against the person or persons who are responsible for the accident. When there are multiple potential defendants involved, it is critical to include each one of them in the complaint. Otherwise, they may potentially escape liability and the other defendants may use this as a way to suggest that someone else is more at fault for your injuries. In situations where someone was working during the accident, you may have a claim against the employer. The legal doctrine of vicarious liability can be used to hold employers responsible for the tortious acts that their employees commit during the course and scope of employment. It can be difficult to determine whether someone was working at the time of a crash, which is another reason why working with an experienced attorney is so important.
In the lawsuit, you must prove that the defendants failed to drive with the same ordinary care and skill that a prudent person would use when faced with a similar situation. This standard takes into account factors such as the weather, road hazards, and traffic congestion. Many chain reaction and multi vehicle accidents happen on the freeway during rush hour traffic when drivers are impatient, distracted, or in a rush to get home. If someone is looking at their cell phone, texting, eating, or adjusting the radio they may not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid an accident.
Holding a Careless Driver Responsible
After proving that the other drivers involved in the accident are at fault for your injuries, you must show that there is a direct connection between their failure to drive with due care and the injuries that you suffered. This is one of the most difficult aspects of a chain reaction or multi vehicle accident because each driver will blame the other drivers for the injuries that resulted. In a rear end collision, it is usually the driver who first made impact who is to blame, but questions arise regarding whether the middle cars could have avoided hitting the vehicles in front of them. An accident reconstructionist or other type of expert witness is often needed to review the accident and to explain who is responsible.
The final phase of the litigation involves establishing the amount of damages that you should be awarded from the at-fault drivers. There are several categories of damages that you may be eligible to receive, starting with past and future expected medical bills. If your injuries resulted in permanent disabilities, then you can seek compensation for the estimated future cost of securing the medical care that you deserve. You can also seek compensation for lost wages and any reduction in your overall earning capacity that results from the crash. Some injuries may be so severe that they limit your physical abilities moving forward.
Consult with a Compassionate Car Accident Attorney in Massachusetts
Car accidents are always a sudden and stressful experience, especially if you are facing devastating injuries. At our firm, the lawyer working on each case treats every client with the compassion and respect that they deserve during this situation, while ensuring that they understand the scope of their legal rights. We serve individuals and families who have lost loved ones in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Newton, Somerville, Lowell, Quincy, Norwood, Dedham, Brookline, and Peabody and offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about our legal team. Call us at (800) 262-9200 or contact us online to get started.
