Trenton NJ Multiple-Vehicle Auto Accident Attorneys
Personal Injury Lawyers with Offices in Hamilton and Pennington, New Jersey
The great majority of auto accidents involve two motor vehicles – and the majority of these accidents involve negligent drivers. It is important for negligent drivers to be held accountable for their failures; it’s the only way to make sure that they don’t continue to drive recklessly and cause car accidents in the future. Unfortunately, it is not easy to determine liability in any type of accident, especially multiple-vehicle accidents. Many times, both drivers have competing and mutually exclusive stories about who caused the accident. Things get even more complicated when two cars crash into a third vehicle. It is important for you to have an experienced attorney who can sift through the information and determine who was at fault in the accident.
At Kamensky, Cohen, and Rielchelson, our car accident attorneys can help you receive the highest financial compensation possible for your injuries, pain, and suffering. We will investigate and gather the best evidence to support your claim, bringing together all of the facts of your case and ensuring that we prove who should be held responsible for compensating you for all of your damages. We have served injured accident victims in West Windsor, Hamilton, Princeton, Titusville, Trenton, and other areas in Mercer County for over 50 years. Call us at (215) 337-4915 to discuss your Multi-Vehicle Accident case in a free consultation at our offices in Hamilton or Pennington, New Jersey.
Negligent Drivers Cause Multi-Vehicle Accidents in Mercer County, NJ
Unfortunately, car accidents are an everyday occurrence. Some are more serious than others, but the majority involve only two vehicles. When there are more than two vehicles, the damage is frequently worse, as are the injuries provoked by the accident. Another complication with multiple vehicle accidents is determining who is at fault. At times it can be more than one person. The crux of the matter is finding one or more negligent drivers who contributed to the crash.
Driver negligence includes reckless driving, careless driving, driving while intoxicated, and speeding. Speeding is a particular problem when a car is traveling on the highway because the other cars on the road are also moving at high speeds. This means that multiple-vehicle accidents involving a speeding automobile on the highway often result in catastrophic injuries. Speeding is also a greater risk when it occurs in a construction zone because it poses a threat to both drivers and construction workers. That’s why New Jersey doubles fines for speeding in a safe corridor or construction zone.
A related cause of multi-vehicle accidents in New Jersey is distracted driving. Drivers need to pay attention when they are on the road because unaware motorists pose a major safety risk to other drivers, as well as to pedestrians.
Other Causes of Multiple-Vehicle Accidents in Hamilton NJ
In addition to driver negligence, there are a number of other causes of multiple-vehicle accidents in New Jersey, including:
- Weather Conditions: Snow or ice on the road can make it more difficult for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles. Adverse weather conditions can also limit driver visibility, which makes it more difficult for a driver to react quickly enough to avoid other vehicles.
- Traffic: It is especially important for drivers to pay attention when they are in heavy traffic; it is extremely easy for smaller vehicles, such as motorcycles, to be obscured in traffic. When a vehicle travels too close to another vehicle, it might be impossible to stop quickly enough to avoid a rear-end collision.
- Blind Spots: Drivers need to constantly check their blind spots; otherwise, they might fail to see a smaller vehicle approaching on the side.
- Nighttime: Drivers need to turn on their headlights and pay careful attention to the road when operating a motor vehicle at night.
- Rubbernecking: Far too many drivers turn their heads to look as they drive past an accident scene. This contributes to distracted driving accidents.
What Are The Possible Scenarios For An Injured Person in a Multiple Vehicle Collision in New Jersey?
A chain reaction usually causes multiple-vehicle accidents. If all of the cars are in one lane and the vehicle furthest back hits the one in front of it, and so on, the accident could involve as many as five or six cars, depending upon the speed at which the vehicles were traveling, their braking time, and their proximity to one another.
When there is a collision between two cars at an intersection, often the cars may be forced into other vehicles from the momentum caused by the impact of the original accident, crashing into cars stopped at the intersection waiting for a green light.
The faster the cars move, the greater the possibility of collateral damage. As a result of being hit, a car can lose control and move into the lane of oncoming traffic or spin several times, clipping several vehicles as it turns.
What Are the Types of Multi-Vehicle Accidents?
There are four common types of multi-vehicle accidents. A combination of any of them is possible in the same accident, but they will be discussed separately for our purposes. The first is the most common, which is the rear-end collision. Cars can line up in a chain reaction of fender benders or something much more severe, depending upon the speed and the size of the vehicles involved. Head-on collisions, the least frequent, occur when two cars traveling in opposite directions crash into each other, headlights to headlights. A head-on crash is one of the most dangerous and causes significant damage when multiple cars are involved.
Side-impact collisions (also referred to as T-Bones) happen when one car crashes perpendicularly into the side of another car. This type of crash is found predominantly at intersections where a driver fails to yield at a stoplight or stop sign. When other vehicles are nearby, they can be hit by the momentum of the cars in the original accident. Finally, side-impact collisions occur when two vehicles are beside one another and make contact. By nature of its dynamic, this type of accident frequently sends both cars into other lanes causing them to hit other vehicles.
What Are Some of the Potential Injuries Due to This Kind of Accident?
The most common injuries are those to the neck and back, such as whiplash, spinal cord damage, herniated discs, or disc fractures. Other fractures can range from your garden variety broken arm or leg to something life-threatening such as a crushed pelvis or exposed femoral fracture. Head injuries such as a fractured skull, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), or concussion can cause permanent brain damage or cerebral edema.
How Is Liability Determined in Multi-Vehicle Crashes?
Several scenarios exist when there is a multiple-vehicle accident. The first is when you are at fault for the accident and caused damage to more than one vehicle. The second is when your car was hit by one or more vehicles, and you were not at fault. Then, there are situations in which you were in an accident and were partially at fault. Or perhaps a hazardous environment caused the accident, and the property owner is at fault.
Partial fault is common, and it is challenging to determine the percentage of fault assigned to each vehicle. On the NJ Turnpike, Car A slams on the brakes in the fast lane, and Car B rear-ends them. Car C swerves into the center lane to avoid hitting Car B but sideswipes Car D in the process in the center lane. Car A could be held at fault for stopping on a major thoroughfare, but if Car B was speeding or distracted, they could be partially at fault. If Car C was speeding, they could also take part of the blame. The only driver who was clearly not at fault was Car D. This is mere conjecture because it assumes that the three at-fault drivers were indeed speeding or distracted. The liability would be assigned accordingly if they were not and can prove it.
Partial liability does not make you ineligible for a monetary settlement, but it will affect the amount you receive. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and are awarded $100,000, you would receive $80,000. Anyone with more than 60% liability for the accident cannot receive a settlement.
What can Delay a Settlement in a Multiple Vehicle Accident Case in NJ?
The biggest problem that can delay a settlement in this circumstance is the combination of situations that can occur in tandem. If there is more than one at-fault driver, a percentage of the fault must be determined before a settlement can be considered. If there are several injured parties, there are medical costs, lost wages, and damages to consider from distinct people. A likely issue is an insufficient amount of insurance to cover all of the claims and crossclaims amongst drivers with conflicting stories of how the accident occurred and who was to blame. If the accident caused one or more deaths or serious injuries, the prosecutor might investigate to determine whether charges will be pressed.
These issues can drag out any decisions for compensation, so it is essential to file your case as soon as possible, mainly because the statute of limitations for a personal injury suit is two years from the date of the accident. If one victim is still being seen by medical personnel, the insurance companies are dragging their feet or giving lowball offers; it can be frustrating.
Your attorney may suggest a bifurcated trial which will allow you to present your claim in two parts. The first trial is the presentation of all of the evidence, witnesses, and experts to determine who is at fault for the accident. The second part includes medical testimony and evidence to decide on a monetary settlement.
Securing Compensation for Multi-Car Accidents in Princeton, New Jersey
Multiple-vehicle accidents, by their nature, are complicated. Likewise, determining liability in a multi-car accident is incredibly complicated. That’s why it is important for you to have an experienced attorney on your side early in the process. A skilled accident attorney will conduct a detailed investigation and obligate the insurance company to offer you a fair settlement. Insurance companies want to give you as little as possible. They will manipulate you into admitting things that are not in your best interests to lower your compensation. That is how they stay in business. It would be best if you had an attorney who is an excellent negotiator who won’t back down. A confident, tenacious attorney will be prepared to take your case all the way to litigation if necessary.
Cohen & Riechelson is a law firm that has been assisting car accident victims in New Jersey since 1972. We have successfully represented countless clients involved in multi-car accidents throughout Mercer County, NJ, including Lawrence, Hamilton, and Princeton. We know exactly what details to look for when investigating an accident scene, which is crucial when filing a claim for accident compensation.
Contact Our Mercer County NJ Multi-Car Accident Lawyers for Answers
Crashing is never a good thing, crashing with more than one car is even worse, and it can be very complex from a legal perspective. If you have been injured in one of these types of car accidents, you need a seasoned team of attorneys who will navigate multi-car accident cases. Cohen & Riechelson will fight to get you compensated for your motor vehicle accident injuries.
Our firm focuses on each client’s unique needs and concerns. We will communicate with you clearly and frequently. Our experience can make a real difference in the outcome of your case as we seek maximum compensation for you. We have helped hundreds of clients with fighting insurance companies and defendants’ attorneys in personal injury lawsuits because that is our passion. If you have been injured in a multiple vehicle accident in in East Windsor, Hightstown, Woodbridge, Lambertville, Burlington, Mercer County, or anywhere else in New Jersey, call us (215) 337-4915 anytime to discuss your case, or check our online form to schedule a free consultation at our offices in Hamilton or Pennington, New Jersey.