Determining fault and establishing liability in a multi-vehicle pileup in Texas is far from straightforward. More often than not, no single person is to blame. Instead, fault is placed on multiple drivers. As a result, receiving compensation for the accident can be a challenging process. If you’ve found yourself in this very situation and want to know who’s liable for your injuries and what you should do after a multi-vehicle pileup, keep reading. We’ve provided some helpful information below. What to do When You’re Injured in a Pileup What you do during the early moments of a pileup collision can sometimes make the accident claim process easier or harder later on. Follow these steps when you’ve been involved in an accident: Seek medical help immediately, even if you feel okay. You can then receive a record of the injuries you’ve sustained. Call the police and obtain a police report Document the scene – take plenty of videos and photos Exchange information with other drivers and any witnesses Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible Why Do Multi-Vehicle Pileups Happen To determine fault in a multi-vehicle collision, it is helpful to understand why such collisions occur in the first place. More often than not, multi-vehicle pileups happen on highways and freeways due to: Fog, rain, and other poor weather conditions Impaired driving Distracted driving Sudden stops in heavy traffic Chain-reaction collisions The severity of these accidents can range from fender benders to serious and fatal crashes involving drivers, passengers, commercial vehicles, and even pedestrians. How Is Fault Determined In a Multi-Vehicle Pileup? Here in Texas, we follow a modified comparative fault system. This means that you will not be able to recover damages if you’re 51% or more at fault for an accident. Your compensation will also be reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident. Who Is Liable for a Multi-Vehicle Collision? It’s easy to assume that the very first car to crash is solely responsible for a multi-vehicle collision. However, multiple parties can share fault, including: Other drivers who could have been tailgating, speeding, or distracted Commercial truck drivers and/or their companies whose negligence caused or worsened the crash Vehicle manufacturers, when a vehicle defect like an airbag malfunctioning or brakes failing contributes to injuries Government entities when poor road conditions like unplowed snow, inadequate signage, and potholes contributed to the accident How to Prove Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Accident We know how to determine fault and who can be liable, but how do you prove who’s at fault in a multi-vehicle accident in Texas? It comes down to the strength of the evidence. Your trusted car accident lawyer can help with that. Gather as much evidence as possible, including: Police reports Eyewitness statements Dashcam footage Traffic camera footage Vehicle damage reports Photos of the scene and damage Accident reconstruction analysis What Happens When You Can’t Prove Fault? When you can’t prove fault or when liability is shared, your lawyer can help you file claims against multiple drivers. Insurance companies or the courts can assign a percentage of fault to each, determining how the damages are divided. Get Help for Your Multi-Vehicle Pileup Claim from Parks Law Firm in Texas Navigating the legal system after a collision involving multiple vehicles can be a stressful and daunting experience. Rest assured, you don’t have to do it alone. The expert team at Parks Law Firm is here to help. Contact us for a free consultation and receive expert legal advice. We’re here to help you fight for your right to the compensation you deserve. Share article:
