Northern California Multi-Vehicle Crash Lawyers

If you suffered injuries in a multi-vehicle accident that someone else caused, you should contact Tiemann Law Firm to discuss how to pursue compensation. Our car accident lawyers have over two decades of legal experience representing accident victims in their cases and holding others accountable for the harm they caused. You’re likely facing lost income from your inability to work, crushing medical debt, and significant emotional trauma. We know how devastating the aftermath of an accident can be, and we’re ready to help you get through it.

It can be a challenge determining who was at fault for a collision involving more than two cars. There could be four different drivers whose behavior could have contributed to the accident. Or, the poorly maintained road could mean a local governmental entity is to blame. At Tiemann Law Firm, our Northern California multi-vehicle crash lawyers know how to investigate accidents like this to find substantial evidence proving who was at fault. You can depend on us to advocate for your rights and fight for the justice you deserve.

Call us today at (916) 999-9000 for your free same-day consultation, and we’ll review the details of your case to determine the next steps we can take to recover the maximum compensation you need.

Common Reasons for Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Accidents involving two or more vehicles occur after an initial event causes a chain reaction. One driver might slam on the brakes, causing multiple vehicles behind them to each crash into each other. Or someone could run a red light and swerve to avoid colliding with oncoming traffic but crash into other vehicles instead. Pile-ups are dangerous to all occupants and can lead to serious injuries and even death.

The most common causes of multi-vehicle accidents are:

Distracted driving – Various distractions could pull a driver’s focus away from the task at hand to something else entirely. This prevents them from noticing road hazards or braking in time for traffic that comes to a standstill. Common examples of distractions are:
- Drinking or eating
- Sending or reading a text message
- Daydreaming
- Reaching for an object in the backseat
Speeding – Driving at excessive speeds requires a greater stopping distance. Without the necessary space between two vehicles, the driver behind can’t stop in time to avoid a rear-end accident. This could lead to a chain reaction, causing following cars to collide with each other.
Driving under the influence – Alcohol and drugs affect a person’s mental and physical abilities. It becomes challenging to operate a vehicle safely. Common symptoms of impairment that can lead to a multi-vehicle accident are:
- Drowsiness
- Reduced muscle coordination
- Slower reaction time
- Inability to make good decisions
- Altered sensory perception
- Blurry vision
Poor weather conditions – Adverse weather, such as rain or strong winds, create a hazard to motorists. They must adjust their speed and safely maneuver through traffic. Slippery roads could cause someone to hydroplane and lose control of their vehicle, resulting in a pile-up.
Rubbernecking – Slowing down to stare at something happening on the side of the road redirects a person’s attention to something other than driving. This commonly occurs on the highway when there’s an accident, causing everyone to take a look. Unfortunately, it can lead to another accident involving multiple cars because more than one motorist becomes distracted.
Fatigued driving – Despite feeling tired, many people will get behind the wheel of their vehicles. Fatigue is just as dangerous as drunk or drugged driving and causes similar symptoms. With a slower reaction time and poor decision-making skills, the likelihood of drifting into oncoming traffic or failing to notice a crucial traffic signal increases.
Failure to yield – Motorists must yield to others when necessary. For example, a pedestrian has the right of way when they’re crossing the street at an intersection, and a driver is attempting to turn right at a red light. The driver must stop and allow the person to cross. However, taking the turn without looking first can result in a crash as the driver swerves into other vehicles.

Common Injuries Caused By Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Injuries are often debilitating when pile-ups happen. That’s because there isn’t one but multiple impacts the body must suffer through as each car collides with another. You could sustain life-threatening crush injuries if the impact of multiple vehicles pins you inside the crumpled metal of your vehicle. Drivers and passengers without a seatbelt could suffer fatal head trauma getting ejected from the car.

The most common injuries from multi-vehicle crashes are:

Traumatic brain injury
Loss of limb
Paralysis
Impalement
Crush injuries
Broken bones
Spinal cord injuries
Internal bleeding
Concussion
Whiplash
Disability
Post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological damage

If you’re unable to recover fully, you could face a lifetime of physical therapy, pain management, and other medical intervention to manage your permanent injury. You shouldn’t have to pay those costs yourself when someone else puts you in this situation. The Northern California multi-vehicle crash lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm want to ensure you receive full and fair compensation.

Challenges You Could Face During An Insurance Claim

You might be entitled to a settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company after a multi-vehicle accident. Unfortunately, determining who’s liable can be difficult because there were multiple drivers involved in the crash. You could face additional obstacles to receiving an adequate settlement amount since numerous people are pursuing claims from the same auto insurance company. With limited available coverage, there might not be enough money for all injured parties to be fully compensated.

Settling an injury claim becomes an issue for these common reasons:

Limited liability coverage – California follows a fault system. That means the at-fault driver can be held liable for another person’s injuries. Their auto insurance company could foot the bill; however, state law only requires purchasing a minimum of $15,000 for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage. If three people file a claim and each has $25,000 in expenses, the insurance coverage doesn’t even come close to compensating everyone for their losses.
More than one negligent party – The actions of multiple drivers could have contributed to the accident. Additionally, the company responsible for maintaining the roads could be liable for failing to repair a pothole. With more than one party at fault, you could file claims with multiple insurance companies, requiring extra work, and more time to resolve your case.
Denied insurance claim – The insurance company might deny your claim. This could delay the process of recovering the money you’re owed as you’re looking for other sources of compensation. You might have to move forward with a lawsuit instead, which could take years to resolve.
At-fault party’s statements – Most people don’t want to assume responsibility for a car crash. The liable driver might make a statement to the investigating officer that they saw someone else cause the accident. With multiple parties potentially to blame for the accident, it’s necessary to perform thorough investigations to look into all possible scenarios.

Compensation You Could Seek After A Multi-Vehicle Crash In Northern California

The aftermath of a multi-vehicle crash can be catastrophic. Most injuries are severe, resulting in expensive medical bills, psychological damage, and limited functional capacity. We’ve seen many clients face financial hardships as they’re figuring out how to afford their treatment. Whether you file an insurance claim or lawsuit, you could seek compensation for your past and future losses, such as:

Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Medical expenses
Car repair or replacement costs
Emotional distress
Lost enjoyment of life
Physical impairment
Disfigurement
Pain and suffering

Tiemann Law Firm can review your losses and aggressively pursue the maximum compensation necessary, so you’re not forced to pay anything out of pocket. When determining the appropriate monetary value of a client’s case, we might consider some of these factors:

Type and severity of the injury
Total costs associated with the accident
Duration of necessary medical treatment
Availability of evidence proving who was at fault
The mental or emotional impact of the accident
Significant scarring, disfigurement, or impairment resulting from the injury
Amount of auto insurance coverage
The estimated cost of future medical care needed
Time missed from work while recovering

Our Northern California multi-vehicle crash lawyers never back down from a fight. We use all the resources at our disposal to get insurance companies to pay the money they owe. If they refuse to settle for an amount that will fully compensate for your losses, we’re not afraid to take your case to court.

Contact Tiemann Law Firm for Your Free Consultation

At Tiemann Law Firm, we know the stress that comes with healing after a car accident. When you’re already paying for doctor’s appointments, prescription medications, and other expenses, you don’t want to think about the cost of hiring a lawyer. We take all cases on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to pay us upfront for legal representation. We don’t expect our legal fees unless we collect compensation from an insurance claim or lawsuit. If we lose your case, you won’t owe us anything.

If you were in a multi-vehicle accident and want to seek justice for the suffering you endured, call Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 to speak with one of our Northern California multi-vehicle crash lawyers. You can depend on us to get you on the road to recovery.