Statistically, highways are safer than regular roads. However, highway collisions tend to cause more devastating injuries and deaths, primarily because of higher speeds. Maryland’s longest state route, Maryland Route 2, is no stranger to this.
Injuries and loss of life are even greater in multivehicle accidents or pileups, which are more common on highways. Furthermore, legal matters often become more complex. There are more personal injury claims, possibly multiple persons at fault and an increased difficulty in gathering evidence.
If you are involved in a multicar collision, the following information can help your case move forward.
Determining who is at fault
One of the biggest challenges in an accident involving multiple drivers is identifying who is to blame. These accidents often involve a sequence of collisions, which can make it difficult to determine the initial cause and how subsequent impacts occurred.
Law enforcement is typically responsible for determining fault in cases like these. Nevertheless, there are ways you can help:
- Provide an accurate and unbiased statement
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damages and any relevant highway conditions
- Note the time, date and weather conditions
- Surrender video footage from your dashcam, if applicable
Keep in mind that drivers may share fault in a multivehicle accident, even if they were not the initial cause. For example, the first driver who failed to stop may bear the primary responsibility, but others may share fault depending on their actions and reaction times.
Filing insurance claims
Multiple insurance companies can further complicate a multivehicle accident. Each represents a different party, and this can lead to disputes over liability and the extent of coverage.
Typically, the drivers responsible for directly causing the accident are liable for any injuries. This can include drivers who are speeding, distracted driving or violating other traffic laws. Shared liability may apply if other parties played a role in the crash.
How an attorney can help you
An innocent driver deserves compensation for injuries they suffer because of someone else’s negligence. But as you can see, the complexities these pileups bring can make it hard to pursue damages.
With that in mind, it may be in your best interests to consult a personal injury attorney. They can help navigate your case, advocate for your rights and identify proper channels for compensation.
