Types of Multiple Vehicle Accidents
There are many different types of multi-vehicle accidents you may be impacted by. Here are some of the most common accidents involving three or more vehicles.
Cross-Lane Accidents
On the wide roads of Las Vegas, a vehicle that gets hit in one lane can easily be knocked into other lanes, hitting other cars along its path.
Rear-End Collisions
When cars are stopped or driving too closely together, a rear-end collision can easily involve multiple vehicles as each car that gets struck from behind hits the vehicle in front of it.
Intersection Accidents
Collisions that happen in intersections frequently involve three or more vehicles. Either one vehicle gets shoved into another, or the flow of traffic can’t stop in time for other vehicles to avoid the initial collision, making the problem even bigger than the initial crash.
Highway Pileups
With the high speeds on the Las Vegas highways, it can be difficult for drivers to react in time, causing one minor fender bender to turn into a massive pileup in the blink of an eye.
Who Is Liable for Multi-Vehicle Accident Compensation?
Any driver who is found to be negligent may be found partially liable in a multiple-vehicle accident. Since Nevada is a comparative negligence state, multiple drivers may be found partly responsible for damages. As long as you are found 50% or less responsible for the accident, you may be able to receive compensation from other drivers, although your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.
Comparative Negligence in Nevada
In Nevada, drivers are assigned a percentage of liability in an accident when more than one person is responsible. Let’s look at an example of a rear-end collision involving three vehicles.
Driver A was speeding and was found 80% responsible for hitting Driver B’s vehicle. However, Driver B was following too closely to Driver C’s vehicle, causing them to collide, so Driver B was found to be 20% responsible.
In this case, Driver C would have 80% of their damages paid for by Driver A, and 20% of their damages would be paid for by Driver B. Additionally, Driver B would have their total amount of compensation reduced by 20% due to their partial liability for the crash. Driver A was more than 50% responsible for the crash, so they aren’t due any compensation at all.
What to Do After a Multiple Vehicle Accident
You may be discombobulated after being involved in a multi-vehicle accident, but it’s crucial to follow these steps for the best chance of getting all the compensation you deserve.
Call the Police
Nevada law requires the police to be notified in the case of any accident that involves property damage, injuries, or death, so the first thing you should do after an accident is call the police. Never assume another driver will make the call; you should do it yourself to be safe.
Gather Evidence and Information
Collect as much information and evidence as possible. At a minimum, you will need the name, contact information, insurance information, driver’s license number, and license plate number of every driver involved.
You should also take as many photographs or videos of the scene as possible. Be sure to show the damage to each vehicle and any obvious injuries you have, as well as any other factors such as bad weather or poor lighting.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention
Being in an accident causes adrenaline to flood your body, which can hide pain and mask injuries, so it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as you can after an accident, even if you feel fine. You may have whiplash, internal bleeding, soft tissue injuries, or other medical problems caused by the crash you aren’t aware of yet.
The sooner you can get documentation of your injuries after your accident, the easier it is to prove that those injuries were caused by the car accident and not something else, so go to the doctor immediately after an accident, even if you feel fine.
Contact a Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer
Insurance companies make money by paying out as little as possible, so to have the best chance at receiving fair compensation, you should contact an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney like the experts at Morris Injury Law. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we have a strong commitment to our community and to our clients.
Accidents involving multiple vehicles are especially tricky, so don’t try to negotiate with the insurance companies yourself. Let us help you get the compensation you need to move on with your life.
How a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Insurance companies aren’t interested in paying you the full amount of money you need to cover property damage, medical bills, lost wages, emotional damage, and all the other results of a car accident. They want to give you the least amount of money they can to make you go away.
The professionals at Morris Injury Law know how to fight the insurance companies to get you the money you need and deserve after your life-changing multi-vehicle accident. We can help you deal with insurance companies, police departments, hospital billing departments, and more. That allows you to focus on your recovery rather than worrying about paying your bills.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Nevada has a two-year statute of limitations on injury cases, meaning you only have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Putting together a case takes time, so don’t wait until the last minute. If you live in the Las Vegas Metro area and need a car accident lawyer, contact Morris Injury Law for a free consultation.
How Much Is My Claim Worth?
The value of your claim depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Vehicle Value
- Liability
- Damages
- Injuries
- Other Factors
The more serious your injuries were, the more time you lost from work, the more expensive the repairs to your vehicle, then the more money your claim will be worth. Contact Morris Injury Law to discuss your case.
Contact Our Las Vegas Car Accident Law Firm to Protect Your Rights
Don’t lose your rights by accepting a low settlement offer from the insurance company. Before you accept any settlements, schedule a free consultation with the expert Las Vegas car accident lawyers at Morris Injury Law. There’s no fee unless you win, guaranteed, so schedule a risk-free appointment now. Let us help you get maximum compensation for your case.