Multi-vehicle car accidents are some of the most devastating types of collisions. The more vehicles that are involved, the more motorists and passengers that suffer devastating injuries. When you were involved in a multi-vehicle pileup, identifying the liable party is crucial if you hope to recover the compensation you are entitled to.
You can expect other injury victims to do the same, which is why you need an experienced multi-vehicle South Carolina car accident lawyer working on your case. Not only can we identify those responsible for causing your collision, but we can also protect you from unjust claims of shared liability.
Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Your multi-vehicle car accident attorney in South Carolina will need to closely evaluate the cause of your collision. This way, we can determine who should be held accountable for your accident.
Generally, the cause of the pile-up will point us in the direction of all parties who may have contributed to the injuries you suffered. With that in mind, here are some of the most common causes of multi-vehicle car accidents:
Dangerous Roads
Dangerous road conditions are one of the top reasons multi-vehicle accidents happen. If you have ever been driving along a busy highway and suddenly noticed road construction work, if the road construction zone is not properly secured, this could create dangerous road conditions.
Lack of sufficient street lighting, failure to replace missing signs, and failure to make necessary road repairs are also some examples of dangerous road conditions that have the potential to cause multi-car accidents.
Defective Parts
Multi-vehicle accidents are also possible when auto parts malfunction or are inherently defective. You hear about vehicle parts being recalled all the time, but generally, recalls do not occur until there are severe injuries or damages reported as well.
Some auto parts’ most well-known defects and malfunctions include:
- Airbag inflators
- Braking systems
- Steering columns
- Gas tanks
- Seatbelts
- Fuel pumps
- Windshield wipers
Unsafe Driving
Unsafe driving practices are arguably the number one cause of multivehicle pilots. Anytime a motorist fails to take their responsibility to drive safely seriously, they have the potential to cause life-threatening and fatal injuries. Some examples of driving practices that could be considered negligence include:
- Driving over the speed limit
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield
- Head-on collisions
- Driving while fatigued
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Making unlawful turns
These are just a few examples of unsafe driving practices. If someone else’s poor driving caused your injuries, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit or insurance claim against the at-fault party.
Potentially Liable Parties
The cause of the multi-vehicle accident is only the beginning of our investigation. Once we know what caused the accident, we will better understand the parties that could share the blame for the injuries you sustained. The parties who are most often held accountable for car accident injuries and damages include the following:
Government Agencies
When dangerous road conditions are the cause of your multi-vehicle pile-up, government agencies responsible for maintaining road safety and integrity could be sued. The area where your multi-vehicle accident occurred will determine which parties this might be.
For example, if your multi-vehicle car accident happened on a South Carolina Highway, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) could be at fault. However, if your multi-vehicle car crash happened in an inner city such as Atlanta, the city of Atlanta, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), or other government agencies could share the blame.
Auto Parts Manufacturers
When auto parts are defective or malfunctioning, the manufacturers, designers, and distributors of these parts could be responsible for your damages. Retailers, suppliers, executives, and dealerships could also be blamed. An in-depth investigation will reveal the identities of all those who might have contributed to your injuries when malfunctioning motor vehicle parts caused the accident.
Negligent Drivers
As previously mentioned, when negligent driving causes your multi-vehicle crash, the driver responsible could be brought to justice. In some instances, you might file a claim with their insurance provider.
In others, filing a civil lawsuit against that may be more appropriate. You can explore your options further when you discuss the specific details of your case with your car accident attorney.
Social Hosts and Dram Shops
A substantial number of multi-vehicle car accidents are caused by drunk or drugged driving. Thankfully, under South Carolina dram shop liability rules, you may be able to file a claim against local dram shops and social hosts if an intoxicated driver causes your accident.
However, for your claim to be successful, your lawyer must show that the dram shop knew or should have known that the defendant was already impaired when serving them alcohol.
How to Prove Liability and Negligence
For your multi-vehicle car accident claim to be successful, we must show that another party’s negligence was the cause of your injuries. Some of the most common types of evidence that can be used to prove the defendant’s liability and negligence include:
- Photos of your injuries
- Video of the collision
- Photos of traffic conditions at the time of the accident
- Copies of the defendant’s cell phone records
- Copies of the defendant’s driving record
- Copies of the defendant’s blood alcohol test results
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
- Reports from accident reconstructionists
Get Help from a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident Lawyer Today
Multi-vehicle car accident claims are notoriously complex. Identifying the liable party can prove more difficult than other types of motor vehicle accident claims. That does not mean you should not fight for the at-fault party to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
When you have a dedicated multi-vehicle Charleston car accident lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm working on your case, you can heal and start to rebuild your life while we investigate and uncover the identities of anyone and everyone who contributed to the collision. Learn more about what is next for your multi-vehicle car accident insurance and civil claims when you contact our office for a 100% free consultation. Call us or fill out our quick contact form to get started as soon as today.
