It is not uncommon for a Massachusetts car accident to involve multiple vehicles and injury victims. In these cases, injury victims may encounter challenges when seeking compensation for their injuries because there may be more than one negligent party. Although the law often provides a presumption that the rearmost driver in a rear-end collision was negligent, this presumption does not always apply. While one driver’s negligence may have started the series of events, there may be several other parties who contributed to the chain of events. These factors often cause injury victims to face the daunting task of filing multiple insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits.
Plaintiffs seeking representation for their Massachusetts car accident must be able to establish that the other party or parties are responsible for their injuries. It is essential that plaintiffs include all potential defendants and not just the individual who, in their mind, caused the accident. After identifying the appropriate defendants, the plaintiff must prove that the parties owed them a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely, and they breached that duty. This typically includes providing proof that the at-fault driver engaged in one of the common causes of chain-reaction accidents. Some of the common reasons for Massachusetts chain-reaction accidents are excessive speed, failure to abide by traffic laws, distracted driving, driving under the influence, and fatigued driving. Plaintiffs can provide evidence of these actions through surveillance footage, police reports, medical records, and witness accounts.
After meeting this burden, plaintiffs must be able to prove that the other parties’ negligence was the direct cause of their injuries and subsequent damages. This is often the most challenging phase of a chain-reaction accident lawsuit. In many cases, the driver who started the chain of events is not necessarily the cause of the following collisions, even if it occurs in the same sequence of events. Plaintiffs must engage in an in-depth and comprehensive investigation of the accidents, including discovery and depositions.
Finally, plaintiffs must appropriately allege the amount of damages that each defendant owes. Plaintiffs must provide the court with detailed and accurate evidence to support their claim for compensation. Plaintiffs may meet this prong by providing the court with medical records, property damage receipts, and other evidence to substantiate their claims.
These accidents are common throughout Massachusetts, and it is crucial that individuals retain an experienced attorney to represent them through their claims. For example, according to a recent news report, one person died, and several others suffered serious injuries in a chain-reaction car accident in Seekonk, Massachusetts. Evidently, the driver of an SUV quickly applied their brakes when they approached traffic that was slowing because of a car fire. Despite applying his emergency brake, he collided into the back of another vehicle, which caused two additional collisions. This devastating series of events highlights how quickly an accident can escalate.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Massachusetts Chain-Reaction Accident?
If you or someone you know has been injured in a Massachusetts car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C. have been fighting the big insurance companies for over 25 years, handling various personal injury lawsuits, including Massachusetts car accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death claims. We proudly represent accident victims across Massachusetts, including in Essex County, Middlesex County, and Norfolk County. Personal injury lawsuits are rarely as straightforward as they may seem, and it is important that you contact our office to help you understand your rights and effectuate your remedies. Contact our law firm at 800-262-9200 to schedule your free initial consultation.
