What You Need to Know If You’ve Been in a Kansas City Multi-Vehicle Car Crash

Our Kansas City Car Accident Lawyers Share Key Facts and Steps to Take After a Multi-Vehicle Car Crash

Being involved in a car accident can be an overwhelming experience, especially when the accident involves multiple vehicles. Who’s responsible, and what next steps should you take after a multi-vehicle accident?

Our experienced Kansas City car accident lawyers explain what you need to know about multi-vehicle crashes, what you can do following the incident, and how to protect yourself and your right to a fair recovery. You don’t have to navigate this confusing process alone. Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet is experienced in handling multi-vehicle crashes so that we can help every step of the way. Contact Spencer, Robert, or Ryan for a free consultation today and to learn how we can help you fight for compensation.

How a Multi-Vehicle Accident Is Different Than a Two-Vehicle Crash

The aftermath of a car accident can feel surreal, especially when dealing with the chaos of multiple vehicles. This type of crash is also referred to as a chain-reaction crash or pileup because the actions of one driver spark a chain reaction among other drivers and can result in multiple crashes. Multi-vehicle accidents can also involve head-on, side-impact, or rear collisions. There are multiple causes and risk factors that make a multi-car crash more likely in some situations. Determining who is at fault also becomes more complicated with additional potential defendants.

Multi-Vehicle Crash Causes and Risk Factors

Many causes are similar to two-vehicle accidents, such as distracted or inattentive driving, following a vehicle too closely, speeding, driving inappropriately for current weather conditions, reckless or aggressive driving, vehicle malfunctions, fatigue, inexperienced driving, and more. However, when many vehicles are on the road, these factors can result in chain-reaction accidents.

Some additional risk factors for multi-vehicle car wrecks include:

• Poor weather conditions that impact roads and visibility. Things like wet, slippery, or snowy winter roads or lack of visibility from fog may make multi-car crashes more likely.
• The amount of traffic. Heavy traffic during rush hour or other times may increase the likelihood of multiple vehicles being involved in the crash.
• Time of day. The peak time for car crashes is generally evening, so the likelihood of auto accidents involving more than two vehicles increases in the evening hours.
• Location. Certain locations are prone to wrecks involving three or more vehicles, including areas with heavy traffic, highways or freeways where drivers travel at high speeds, winding roads, and dangerous intersections.

Determining Who Is at Fault When a Multi-Vehicle Crash Occurs

It’s challenging when two vehicles are involved in a crash, but it complicates the process further when there are three or more. This is why getting assistance from a Kansas City car accident attorney can be critical. Spencer, Robert, and Ryan are highly experienced attorneys at Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet and can help you through the process from start to finish. We will gather evidence to help determine who is at fault. Relevant evidence may include vehicle damage, information from eyewitnesses, and evidence and photos from the accident scene. Sometimes, a reconstruction team may need to help establish the cause. 

Steps to Take to Protect Your Rights and Get a Fair Recovery 

If you’ve been involved in a multi-car collision and sustained injuries or property damage, it’s natural to want maximum financial compensation. There are several steps you can take to protect your rights and help to ensure you can fight for recovery. For example, you can: 

• Seek medical assistance, no matter how minor your injuries may seem 
• Call law enforcement and file a police report
• Contact your insurance provider
• Obtain insurance information from all parties involved 
• Document what happened to the best of your knowledge 
• Gather information from the scene, including photos and video
• Contact a qualified Kansas City auto accident attorney 

You May Still Recover Damages Even If You Were Partly at Fault for the Crash

Missouri is a comparative fault state, so you may still be eligible for compensation even if you were partially at fault. According to Missouri law, if you are not 100% at fault, you may still be eligible to recover damages, with the amount being reduced by the percentage you were at fault. Kansas is a modified fault state; you may be eligible to recover damages if you are less than 50 % at fault. 

Turn to Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet for Help After a Multi-Vehicle Accident  

A skilled Kansas City car accident lawyer can work with you to obtain evidence to determine fault, negotiate with insurance companies, file a claim, and represent you in court if needed. We have the car accident experience to help you through the legal process surrounding a multi-vehicle accident, and we are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.