Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Being involved in a car accident with just one other vehicle can be a traumatic experience. When multiple vehicles are involved in an accident, the devastation is multiplied. Even in a simple accident, knowing how to proceed with a legal claim can be confusing; in a multi-vehicle accident, the law only gets more complicated.

Find comfort in the face of tragedy with the guidance and dedicated support of the New Orleans car accident attorneys at the Cardone Law Firm. We truly care about our clients and want them to know that we are here to help make things right. If you or a loved one has been injured in a multi-vehicle accident, we won’t stop fighting until you get the compensation you deserve.

We have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about car accidents and answered them below for your benefit. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

What should I do if I have been involved in an accident with multiple cars?

There are important steps to take if you have been involved in a multi-vehicle accident. At the scene of the accident, you should stay calm and call for emergency help immediately. Unless there are extenuating circumstances (like your car is on fire), stay in your car until police or other emergency personnel tell you it is safe to exit your vehicle.

This is important because there is a great risk of being injured after you exit your vehicle if other cars are still moving around you. Make sure to give your account of the accident to police and get checked out by emergency medical personnel. Any passengers should do the same. Take pictures of your car and of the accident scene. Finally, exchange insurance and contact information with the other drivers in the accident.

If you are taken to the hospital, make sure to get a copy of your medical records when you are released. You should also follow up with your primary care doctor for any ongoing treatment if needed. If you are not taken to the hospital, you still need to recognize that your health is paramount. You should see a doctor immediately and keep accurate physical and mental health records.

Whose information should I obtain?

When involved in a multi-vehicle accident, you should gather the information of all drivers involved. If the police are called, they will talk to you, the other drivers involved in the crash, and any witnesses. They will make records of these conversations that will be available to you when completed.

If the police come to the scene of the accident, it may not be necessary for you to gather information from the other drivers and witnesses. If you are not too rattled physically and mentally, however, you may also want to get the names of the other drivers, their insurance information, and their telephone numbers in case the police miss something or there is a delay in being able to get a copy of the police report.

If you are able, you should also get the names and phone numbers of witnesses to the accident. If you are unable to gather this information, make sure to get a copy of the police report as soon as you can or speak with an attorney who can help you with this.

Why is gathering driver and witness information important?

Gathering all this information is important for a few reasons. First, having witnesses may help determine who was at fault in the accident. When it comes to car accidents, Louisiana is an at-fault state. This means the court (or a jury) will make a determination as to who was at fault for causing the accident. The party at fault and their insurance company will be liable for paying any damages resulting from the accident. In a multi-vehicle accident, determining fault can become more complex, and it may be determined that more than one party is at fault. Having witnesses is instrumental to a proper determination of fault because they can corroborate or discredit another person’s account of the accident.

Additionally, having the other driver’s contact and insurance information is important because once fault is determined, it is important to know who might owe you compensation. Louisiana is a comparative negligence state. This means that even if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover damages.

Each driver who is found to be at fault will have a percentage of fault attributed to their negligence, and that percentage will be deducted from the amount of damages they will receive. So, if one party was found to be 30% at fault, another party 50% at fault, another party 15% at fault, and you were 5% at fault, you would still be able to recover 95% of the compensation awarded to you.

Let the experienced and compassionate attorneys at Cardone Law Firm fight for you and your rights.

Knowing how to proceed with a multi-vehicle car accident can be very confusing. After going through such a traumatic event, you should be focused on healing.