A multi-vehicle accident occurred in Tuscaloosa on Sunday, resulting in one fatality and an injury to an Alabama state trooper. The car accident occurred at an intersection in the morning. Unfortunately, the victim died at the scene of the crime. The state trooper’s 2017 Ford Explorer collided with the victim’s 1995 Jeep Cherokee. The state trooper has survived so far, and law enforcement experts are attempting to reconstruct the accident scene. Five vehicles were involved in this multi-vehicle crash, demonstrating how serious multi-vehicle accidents can be.
Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Car Accidents in Alabama
Being involved in a car accident that involved two vehicles is stressful enough. Being involved in a multi-vehicle accident can be even more complex. Multi-vehicle car accidents, also called chain-reaction collisions, typically happen when three or more vehicles collide with each other. In many cases, multi-vehicle collisions are more dangerous and cause more property damage because of the increased number of vehicles involved.
There are three leading causes of multiple-vehicle collisions. The first type of multi-vehicle collision involves intersection crashes, like the accident described above. When one driver speeds through an intersection to try to beat a red light or fails to yield the right-of-way at an intersection, he or she can hit another vehicle. Intersection accidents frequently set off a chain reaction crash. The two vehicles involved swerve and slam into other vehicles.
Most Multi-Vehicle Accidents Involve Negligence
Multi-vehicle accidents often happen on highways. Chain reaction collisions on Highway 6 are hazardous because of the high speeds involved on the freeway. Multi-vehicle collisions on highways can involve over 20 vehicles as a pileup continues, and cars cannot swerve out of the way to avoid the chain reaction. Finally, rear-end collisions can cause one or both vehicles to spiral into other lanes of traffic, causing a multi-vehicle collision. Unfortunately, many multi-vehicle collisions are entirely preventable and are caused by negligence, such as:
Weather conditions: Many multi-vehicle collisions occur during dangerous weather conditions such as snow, sleet, or rain. Drivers are not responsible for hazardous weather conditions, but they are responsible for driving reasonably under the circumstances. Drivers should maintain more distance and slow down during unsafe weather conditions. Many multi-vehicle pileup accidents are caused by drivers who fail to slow down, and skid into other vehicles.
- Speeding: Drivers who exceed the posted speed limit or more likely to lose control of their vehicle, rear-end another vehicle, or run a red light. All of these actions can cause dangerous multi-vehicle collisions. When drivers do not have enough time to stop and slow down, they are more likely to collide with the vehicle in front of them or beside them.
- Drowsy driving: Studies have shown that driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. When a driver starts nodding off or falls asleep while driving, they are more likely to crash into another vehicle without being aware of what is happening.
- Intoxicated drivers: Despite multiple campaigns to stop drunk driving, many drivers continue to drive while impaired. Intoxicated drivers lack the reasoning skills and reaction time to avoid multi-vehicle collisions.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is more common and tempting than ever. Drinking, talking on a cell phone, texting, and watching videos are all common types of distracted driving.
- Rubbernecking: Rubbernecking occurs when a driver looks at another car accident or traffic stop in front of them, becoming distracted and more likely to cause an additional multi-vehicle crash on a busy intersection or highway.
- Construction zones: When an impatient driver fails to slow down in a construction zone, they may collide with one of the other vehicles or construction machinery, causing a chain reaction of crashes.
Recovering Compensation After a Multi-Vehicle Collision
If you have been involved in a multi-vehicle collision, it is crucial that you contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will need to thoroughly investigate the collision and gather evidence proving that another driver’s negligence caused your injuries. There could be multiple parties who are liable to pay for your injuries. At Heninger Garrison Davis, Our experienced personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of success in obtaining compensation for our clients. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
