Determining Fault in “Chain Reaction” Car Accidents in Boston
Car accidents can be traumatic events, especially in the instance of a chain-reaction collision. Determining fault may be tricky when multiple drivers are involved.
Because of this, it is vital to work with an experienced chain-reaction car accident lawyer to bolster your success at recovering the maximum, fair compensation you deserve for the suffering you have endured.
Significant injuries may result in costly medical bills, lost wages, property damages, and emotional suffering. Working with a chain-reaction car accident attorney can help you determine and prove liability in a complex claim such as a chain-reaction car accident.
At Sweeney Merrigan, our Boston car accident attorneys have over 100 years of experience successfully recovering compensation for car accident victims affected by negligence.
We fight for the fair justice you deserve and offer knowledgeable legal guidance at every step to help you obtain a favorable outcome.
WHAT IS A CHAIN REACTION CAR ACCIDENT?
A chain-reaction or multi-vehicle car accident is a type of accident that may result in significant damages due to the number of vehicles involved, typically more than two.
It produces an out-of-control collision event, usually in the form of rear-end collisions, that can cause severe injuries to drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians involved because of the extensive force of propelling into the next vehicle and so on.
At Sweeney Merrigan, our award-winning personal injury attorneys can help you with every detail of your chain reaction collision claim so that your best interests are protected.
An experienced Boston chain-reaction car accident lawyer may conduct an investigation into the cause of your accident, determine the liable parties, and build a strategic case so you may recover the compensation you deserve for the losses you’ve endured.
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Determining Fault in a Boston Chain Reaction Car Accident
Generally, the liability of a chain-reaction car accident falls on the first driver who caused the first collision. This situation may seem complex. However, multiple parties are involved and have collided.
The driver responsible for the initial reaction that propelled the other drivers is financially responsible. This applies for the damages incurred in the entire accident. This is the case even if their vehicle did not collide with the other drivers in the chain.
Additionally, other regulations may come into play. For instance, if a driver was following too closely and could have avoided a collision, they may be found liable. This is due to violating regulation 720 CMR 9.06, often referred to as tailgating.
Determining liability may be even more complex in certain situations. For example, if the collisions occurred in an intersection accident and the vehicles were hit from different directions.
Massachusetts’ Comparative Fault Liability
In Massachusetts, it is also possible that multiple drivers share fault due to Massachusetts’ modified comparative fault law. The at-fault party may still recover partial compensation, even if they were found partially at fault for the accident.
However, this is only in instances where they are found to be less than 51% responsible for the chain reaction car accident. In these instances, the award is diminished based on the percentage of fault.
How to Prove Fault in a Chain Reaction Car Accident in Boston, MA
Working with a chain-reaction car accident lawyer in Boston, bolsters your chances of success in determining liable parties, obtaining the necessary evidence, and managing the complex legal process.
With the help of a skilled Boston chain-reaction collision attorney at Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, you must prove the elements of negligence in order to prove fault in a chain-reaction car accident.
These necessary elements include the following:
Obtaining Necessary Evidence
Evidence may come in various forms, depending on the circumstances of your chain-reaction car accident. If you are significantly injured, it is in your best interest to obtain necessary medical attention promptly in order to start the recovery process. Additionally, medical documentation, diagnoses, and the detailed evaluation of your medical provider can help serve as evidence in a car accident claim.
At the accident scene, you may also take detailed pictures and videos of pertinent details that may prove liability in your chain-reaction car collision. This may include injuries you sustained at the scene, the damage to your vehicle, marks on the road, the angle of the impact, and any other details that may be useful in determining liability.
Eyewitness Statements and Testimony
Bystanders that were uninvolved in the chain-reaction collision are essential witnesses to the cause of the accident and may be able to recollect the details in a statement or testimony that could help the validity of your claim.
Considering Driving History
Driving history is an important component of determining negligence in a chain-reaction collision. If the liable driver has a history of speeding, tailgating, or not using turn signals, this could help serve as evidence that the fault lies on them and their poor driving habits.
Speak With a Boston Chain Reaction Car Accident Lawyer Today
Determining who may be liable in a multi-vehicle accident may be a complex process that requires the knowledgeable legal guidance of a Boston car accident lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers. We understand what it takes to secure the recovery you deserve and fight for you every step of the way.
J. Tucker Merrigan and Peter M. Merrigan are proud to offer car accident victims personalized, experienced representation.
J. Tucker Merrigan has been a co-managing partner of Sweeney Merrigan Law for over a decade and has been recognized for his fierce commitment to car accident victims in Boston in awards that include: 2018-2021 Rising Star, Super Lawyers; 2015-2021 Top 40.
Co-managing partner Peter M. Merrigan has been recognized for his tireless pursuit of justice for victims affected by negligence: 2016-2018 Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers; 2016-2017 Rising Star, Super Lawyers; 2018-2021 Rising Star, Super Lawyers.
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