A Nebraska Car Accident Attorney Explains What Happens After a Multi-Vehicle Crash and How to Protect Yourself
In the minutes and hours following a multi-vehicle crash, there’s a lot of confusion. There are so many multiple points of view that it’s a complicated process to determine fault—much more so than in a collision of two vehicles. At Beck & Beck Attorneys, we focus exclusively on car accident cases. If you were injured in a multi-vehicle collision, we’ll provide essential legal counsel and help reduce stress, easing you through the complexities of these types of claims. Here’s what you need to know to make sense of it all.
Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Accidents
This type of wreck might also be referred to as a pileup or chain-reaction accident because a single crash results in multiple rear-end collisions. Head-on and side-impact collisions can also involve more than two vehicles. Though multi-car crashes often occur on freeways or highways, they can happen anywhere and involve many unique situations. Some of the most common causes include:
- Poor weather or road conditions
- Time of year—November through February in particular
- Impaired driving
- Reckless or distracted driving
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Following too closely or other unsafe driving practices
Some data also indicates that the time of day matters, too. Rush hour commutes, dusk, and late at night are risky.
Types of Injuries From Multi-Vehicle Crashes
While the specific injuries depend on the exact accident scenario, many of our clients at Beck & Beck experience:
- Whiplash, whiplash associated disorders (WADs), and other neck injuries
- Injuries to their back or spinal cord
- Concussion, head injuries, or traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Cuts, lacerations, and contusions
5 Things That Happen After a Multi-Vehicle Crash
There’s a lot of chaos and confusion after a multi-vehicle accident, but here are a few things that often happen.
Police and EMS Provide Help
Law enforcement and emergency medical services (EMS) work diligently to attend to injured people, generate reports, collect statements, and gather evidence. It’s critical to always accept medical assistance after such a tragic event, and then have a thorough examination with a health care provider right away. Documenting every aspect of your immediate care and future treatment is the only way to prove accident-related injuries.
Roadway Safety Measures
Depending on how the accident occurs, law enforcement might need to temporarily close lanes, block off roadways, or mobilize other safety procedures to ensure no further accidents occur and everyone stays safe. This means you might be on the scene for quite some time.
Contacting Insurance Companies
Everyone involved in a multi-vehicle accident should contact their insurance company to report the accident, even if they’re not at fault. Since uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required on all policies, you may need to rely on this if the primary driver at fault for the accident doesn’t have the resources to address your losses.
Documenting Details About the Accident
One of the complexities of multi-car crashes is the many different points of view. Our experienced Nebraska car accident lawyers conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine fault, but documenting all the details you can recall from the accident is important when filing a claim or building a case.
Contacting an Attorney to Protect Your Rights
The statute of limitations in Nebraska to file a claim is generally four years. At first glance, this might seem like a lot of time, but the legal process always takes considerably longer than you expect, so it’s crucial to arrange for a free consultation with Beck & Beck Attorneys as soon as possible after the accident to discuss your rights and options for injury compensation.
How Our Nebraska Car Accident Lawyers Will Fight for Your Fair Recovery
At Beck & Beck, our clients have experienced successful results in multiple car accident cases. We’ll fight for you every step of the way. Here’s how.
Gather Evidence and Establish Fault
This process includes fact-checking and preserving:
- Police reports
- Evidence from the crash scene
- Eyewitness testimony
- Dash cams or other camera evidence of the situation
- Medical records
- Reconstruction of the scene in complex cases
Since Nebraska is a modified comparative fault accident state, motorists determined to be primarily at fault in an accident are typically responsible for damages. However, if you’re found to be partially at fault, you may still be eligible to recover damages, but to a lesser degree. For example, if it’s proven that you were 20 percent responsible for the crash, and have $10,000 in damages, your settlement would be $8,000.
Face Up to Complicated Insurance Negotiations
Depending on how fault is determined, various drivers’ insurance companies may be involved in a multi-car crash. Most of the time, fair settlements can be reached without going to court—however, insurance companies often want you to settle for the least amount possible.
At Beck & Beck, we’re shrewd negotiators and know how to fight for proper compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and more. But if it’s necessary, we won’t hesitate to litigate your case in court for the maximum compensation you deserve. No matter how chaotic a multi-vehicle accident can be, trust that our legal team is on your side. To learn more, download our free book, How to Avoid Mistakes That Destroy Your Nebraska Auto Accident Case.