Houston Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyers
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Get The Skilled Representation You Need After Multi-Vehicle Accident in Texas
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Differences Between a Multi-Vehicle Accident And a Two-Car Crash
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What makes multi-vehicle accident claims in Houston so complicated?
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What is the value of a Houston multi-vehicle accident claim?
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Who Should a Claim be Filed Against If There are Multiple Parties at Fault for Your Injuries?
Get The Skilled Representation You Need After Multi-Vehicle Accident in Texas
A car accident may involve multiple vehicles and it can occur very quickly while being nearly impossible to avoid. When there is a collision that involves several motor vehicles, occupants of these vehicles can suffer severe injuries.
It is relatively easy to determine the guilty party when a rear-end collision occurs between two cars or a driver simply went the wrong direction. On the other hand, collisions involving multiple vehicles can make it much more difficult to establish liability.
After all, multi-vehicle accidents often involve a chain reaction or different collisions of vehicles that are happening one after the other. Oftentimes, there are more than two different versions of how the collision occurred and different drivers involved start pointing fingers at one another.
This is why an experienced attorney is required to determine who is/are responsible for the crash. Oftentimes, these collisions take place at intersections and on highways. For more than two decades, Take That To Trial has represented numerous multi-vehicle accident victims in Houston. We will offer you the skilled representation you need to build a strong case.
We understand that the injuries and damages that are caused by multi-vehicle crashes can be quite severe. If you are a victim of such devastating collisions, you may be feeling overwhelmed even if you are entitled to compensation.
Getting the funds you need to pay for important expenses like past and future medical bills and lost wages often demands that you find your way around the complicated process of insurance claims. However, you don't have to do all of these alone.
Allow Take That To Trial to do the heavy lifting for you as you regain your health. It is good to make decisions that relate to recovery, which will impact your family’s future for years to come. With this in mind, our attorneys at Take That To Trial will investigate the details of the accident and get a deep insight into what happened.
At Take That To Trial, we will discover strong evidence that many other attorneys may overlook or miss. We have more than two decades of experience on our side. As a result, we understand how the local justice system works and how to navigate through the tactics of insurance agents.
What Are the Most Common Types of Multi-vehicle Accidents?
Most Houston accidents that involve multiple vehicles happen in several ways:
A Chain Reaction Accident
This represents the most common type of multi-vehicle collision. This can occur when different vehicles of any type are waiting at a stop one after the other, such as seen when there is heavy traffic or a road hazard, which requires all vehicles to stop. If a driver - for one reason or the other - gets distracted, the driver approaching the vehicles in line may not timely stop their vehicle.
Then, they hit the car in front of them from behind. This car moves and is pushed to hit the other one in front of it due to the force of impact. This domino effect can continue for an entire line of cars. Typically, in this type of multiple collision, the liable party is the first driver that caused the first impact and started the chain of collision. However, there are other factors and details that can make other drivers liable as well. It can be argued that the other cars were wrong not to create a safe distance from the cars in front of them to avoid multiple collisions.
A Two-vehicle Crash Spins Out of Control
This represents another common type of multi-vehicle collision in Houston, which involves two cars striking each other. The cars may then spin out of control due to the force of impact. They may also have their motion redirected from the force, changing their direction into the path of another vehicle, as a result. Then, this may result in a collision with another vehicle. Establishing liability may even become more complicated.
Generally, the driver of the vehicle that caused the first two-car crash will share some responsibility for the resulting collisions. However, it is worth stressing that establishing liability for the resulting collisions would require investigating whether any of the drivers also contributed to the follow-up collisions by failing to go around the cars hit even when they could do so or by speeding. There are many other factors that would also be taken into consideration to determine what happened.
Vehicles Trying to Avoid a Truck Accident
The length of commercial trucks is well-known. If these vehicles roll over and lose their cargo. The vehicles close to it may abruptly change their lane into the path of another vehicle as they try to avoid the truck and the spilled cargo.
There are other types of multi-vehicle accidents. Multiple drivers may even be liable, based on different factors.
Why Do Multi-vehicle Collisions Cause Such Severe Injuries?
Multi-vehicle accidents in Houston often result in permanent, serious, or deadly injuries due to numerous reasons. Some of these are introduced as follows:
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It is possible for a car to be struck multiple times. For instance, in a multi-vehicle collision, a middle car may be struck in the rear by a car behind and in the front by the next car in line.
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When there is a multi-vehicle accident, cars can respond by shifting into lanes of oncoming traffic. This can result in head-on collisions, which are often very severe, especially when two cars are traveling at high speeds.
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The airbags may have already been deployed when a car is struck a second time.
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Collisions can occur at odd angles in multi-vehicle accidents. Oftentimes, cars and trucks are only built to resist force at the rear and at the front of the vehicle (when traveling at low speeds). However, vehicles are not built to withstand collisions at odd angles.
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Multi-vehicle accidents raise the possibility that a car or truck will roll over or jackknife.
When there are multiple impacts, there is an increased risk of suffering multiple injuries. It may even cause simple injuries to even worsen. Another issue that is associated with multi-vehicle accidents is that they often make it much more difficult for ambulance services and the police to get to injured occupants.
Differences Between A Multi-vehicle Accident And A Two-car Crash
Similar laws apply to both types of accidents. After all, multi-vehicle accidents are a result of multiple two-car crashes. However, the added occupants, drivers, and lawyers may make the process much different.
The fact that all parties involved have their individual agenda makes the process of establishing liability complicated. The guilty parties may look to blame the injured victims in an attempt to conceal their negligence. Furthermore, insurance companies may be willing to look for details they can manipulate to serve their purpose as they try to undervalue compensation claims or even reject them.
At Take That To Trial, we take an aggressive and comprehensive approach to different accident cases. We are willing to take the fight to these insurance companies and other liable parties to pursue the compensation of our clients. Our trial-tested strategies and irrefutable evidence will help us identify liable parties in such complicated legal processes. If you wish to know why these cases are so complicated, keep on reading!
What Makes Multi-vehicle Accident Claims in Houston So Complicated?
The complexities of multi-vehicle accidents make it important to hire experienced personal injury attorneys. After all, there are more defendants, variables, and plaintiffs involved.
When you have multiple defendants, they may likely point fingers at one another. There are also multiple insurance companies involved. Each insurance company may simply wait to negotiate a settlement of the victim's claim until they are sure of the position of the other insurance companies.
The presence of different insurance companies will further complicate and relay the fair resolution of the claim. Remember that there is a time limit beyond which a lawsuit of personal injury cannot be filed in court. While you are trying to pursue compensation as quickly as possible, the presence of multiple parties may slow the process down.
There is also the possibility of the insurance companies blaming one another while intentionally stalling to pay compensation. This is especially true if they think any of the other insurers may pay a greater portion of the damages, reducing the amount the other insurance company would have to pay.
Even when all liable parties have been identified, there is a complex question about the insurance policy that pays for damages first. There could also be confusion about what happens if the insurance coverage of any of the liable parties is not enough to pay the victim's bills. A greater number of defendants will likely make it possible to have enough insurance coverage to pay for your damages.
If a commercial truck driver is also at fault in the multi-vehicle collisions, then besides the other guilty drivers, defendants may also include the driver’s employer and other parties.
Establishing Liability In A Multi-vehicle Collision
This represents a very difficult question to answer, irrespective of the size. In many cases, there are more than two parties to hold accountable for the crash. Depending on who is involved in the collisions, some of the parties who could be held liable in a multi-vehicle crash are listed as follows:
Drivers: The drivers may fail to leave sufficient space among themselves. In this case, they should be held liable.
Truck Drivers: The trucker drivers may be moving at high speeds just to make delivery. A truck that jackknifes can result in multi-vehicle collisions, making the truck driver accountable
Passengers: Some passengers may distract drivers by engaging in conversation with them while driving. Some may even cover the driver's eye with their hands or an object.
Truck Owners: Inappropriate maintenance, inspection, and policies by truck owners may leave many trucks in bad condition being driven on the road.
Vehicle Parts Manufacturers: When certain components of a vehicle are not properly manufactured - or are in bad condition - they may cause accidents, which may lead to multi-vehicle collisions. In this case, the vehicle parts manufacturers can be held accountable.
Inspectors: Those who are charged with inspecting the working condition of a vehicle may be wrong in their assessment, ensuring that cars in bad conditions are left moving on the road. When these vehicles are part of the cause of a multi-vehicle accident, then inspectors may be held liable.
Cargo Owners: Cargo owners may include hazardous materials with the goods they are transporting. In an event of spillage, further collisions may occur as vehicles try to avoid these materials. In this case, the cargo owners are held liable.
Cargo loaders: When cargoes are not loaded appropriately, they can cause a truck to tip over, which may result in multi-vehicle collisions
Roadway Maintenance Crews: Proper road maintenance is essential in promoting safe driving. However, when those who are in charge of maintaining the roadway ignore their duties, or simply can't maintain the roadways, bad roads can cause multi-vehicle collisions. In this case, the roadway maintenance crews are held liable.
Commercial Trucking Companies: : Bad regulations, such as long driving hours for drivers and lack of regular inspections of vehicles, may result in devastating collisions. A sleeping driver behind the wheel can cause multi-vehicle accidents. When a proper investigation is done and it appears that long driving hours caused the fatigue, the commercial trucking company is held liable.
The 51% modified comparative fault rule is observed in the state of Texas. What this implies is that if you have been injured in a multi-vehicle collision, but are 50% or less at fault for the collisions, you can file a personal injury claim. On the other hand, if you are more than 51% at fault for the collision, you may choose to file a claim, but your claim will most likely be denied.
In other words, if you are partially at fault in a multi-vehicle collision, it is possible that you still receive compensation for any injuries suffered. The final payout you may receive as compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault you have in the collisions. For instance, if you are 25% at fault in a multi-vehicle accident, you can only receive 75% of the value of your compensation claim. This is only true if you are injured in the collisions.
What Is The Value Of A Houston Multi-vehicle Accident Claim?
Multi-vehicle accidents can be very severe due to multiple forces of impact, which may occur on different parts of the vehicle. Some of these injuries may include fractures, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other injuries. In this case, it is important to seek compensation for your injuries. However, doing so would prove too complicated for you to handle given the complexities of these collisions.
You need an experienced attorney to explain to you how the process works and the necessary steps to take. By working with our top attorneys at Take That To Trial, you can identify the liable parties and hold them accountable for the compensation you seek.
Our lawyers will help you demand compensation for all your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, scarring and disfigurement, and other damages. This is true since you have medical bills to pay and are unable to work. We will also make use of your medical reports to understand the extent of your injuries, as well as the kind of medical care you need subsequently.
We will also evaluate how the injury has impacted you and how it may be making your life difficult. We also determine the cost of all your medical care. We will also work hand-in-hand with financial professionals and your employers to help you get the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Placing a value immediately on your injury claim after the collisions is almost impossible. It is after proper, detailed evaluation has been done that the right value can be determined. This ensures that the right figure is offered for negotiation, so you won't get less money than you deserve.
What Is The Value Of A Houston Multi-vehicle Accident Claim?
Multi-vehicle accidents can be very severe due to multiple forces of impact, which may occur on different parts of the vehicle. Some of these injuries may include fractures, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other injuries. In this case, it is important to seek compensation for your injuries. However, doing so would prove too complicated for you to handle given the complexities of these collisions.
You need an experienced attorney to explain to you how the process works and the necessary steps to take. By working with our top attorneys at Take That To Trial, you can identify the liable parties and hold them accountable for the compensation you seek.
Our lawyers will help you demand compensation for all your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, scarring and disfigurement, and other damages. This is true since you have medical bills to pay and are unable to work. We will also make use of your medical reports to understand the extent of your injuries, as well as the kind of medical care you need subsequently.
We will also evaluate how the injury has impacted you and how it may be making your life difficult. We also determine the cost of all your medical care. We will also work hand-in-hand with financial professionals and your employers to help you get the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Placing a value immediately on your injury claim after the collisions is almost impossible. It is after proper, detailed evaluation has been done that the right value can be determined. This ensures that the right figure is offered for negotiation, so you won't get less money than you deserve.
Who Should A Claim Be Filed Against If There Are Multiple Parties At Fault For Your Injuries?
If you are injured in a multi-vehicle accident, it is possible that there is more than a single negligent party that contributed to your damages. When this happens, you may have “indivisible injuries”. This is an injury that is caused by more than one liable party. However, it may be difficult to establish reasonable certainty that their action resulted in your injury.
Oftentimes, courts in the state of Texas have ruled that when there are more than two wrongdoers and fault cannot be quantifiably apportioned, then all the wrongdoers must be held severally and jointly accountable for the damages. This implies that it is possible to file a compensation claim for the entire value of your damages with any one of the liable parties. When you win, that party will pay for all the damages.
What Is The “One Satisfaction” Rule?
The importance of this rule is to prevent undue windfalls for personal injury victims. This implies that you are entitled to receive the full value of your claim just once. It is not possible to collect the full value of your claim from one guilty party and then seek more compensation from the other parties involved.
Speak To Our Attorney At Take That To Trial
At Take That To Trial, we understand that the severity of the multi-vehicle collision you were involved in may render you too ill to visit us at our office. For this reason, we can make arrangements to see you or simply conduct phone calls or arrange for Zoom meetings.
Our competent lawyers are not scared to take the fight to insurance companies and other liable parties in your multi-vehicle accidents. We will help you pursue the financial and personal compensation that you are entitled to. Furthermore, it is worth stressing that we only receive a contingency fee for your handle Houston multi-vehicle accidents compensation claim.
What this implies is that you only pay us when we win your case. Contact our competent lawyers today. We have the aggressiveness and resources to handle complex multi-vehicle collision cases. We treat each case differently and we are constantly available. We have been serving our clients for over 20 years. Rest assured that your case will be handled by a team that can boost your chances of getting the desired results.
We also ensure that we provide you with updates on any latest developments on your personal injury claim.
If you wish to schedule a free consultation with us, you can reach us via:
1401 Cleburne St, Houston, Texas 77004
Email: info@takethattotrial.com
Ph: (832) 770-6100
Fax: (832) 426-5798
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Pursue a Compensation Claim in a Multi-vehicle Collision?
Ans: Yes, you can pursue a compensation claim in a multi-vehicle collision if you are injured. Multi-vehicle collisions can be very severe, and to get the help you need to pay for damages, you should get as much money as you can from a compensation claim. Our team of competent lawyers can help you pursue the compensation claim.
2. Is It Possible to Establish Liability in Multi-vehicle Collisions?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to establish liability in multi-vehicle collisions even though the process may be complicated. Liable parties in multi-vehicle collisions are:
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Drivers
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Truck owners
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Passengers
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Truck drivers
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Commercial truck companies
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Inspectors
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Roadway maintenance crews
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Cargo owners
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Vehicle part manufacturers
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Cargo loaders
3. What Compensation Can I Receive?
Ans: If you were not liable in a multi-vehicle collision or only partially so, then you can retrieve compensation for the damages. You could also receive reimbursement for your medical bills for injuries that were caused by the accident. The guilty driver, and their insurance, may be liable to pay for:
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Past and future medical bills resulting from your injuries
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional trauma
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Loss of income
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Complicated grief
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Punitive damages
4. Is an Attorney Necessary?
Ans: Yes, the presence of an attorney is necessary. The complexities of multi-vehicle collisions require an experienced attorney by your side. The legal process will become simplified when you have legal representation. Some of the duties of an attorney include:
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Investigate the parties who are liable in the collisions and their contributions.
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Gather relevant evidence to help you build a strong case.
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Negotiate the right compensation claim for you.
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Handle all necessary paperwork
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If necessary, help you file a lawsuit in court.
Our lawyers at Take That To Trial will represent your interest. You can reach us at any time and our attorneys will listen to you while providing answers to any questions you may have.