What are the causes of chain reaction crashes?
A horrific accident occurring in Bernalillo, New Mexico resulted in the death of three people and injuries to 24 others. The chain reaction accident involved four vehicles, a passenger bus, semi-truck, pickup truck, and car. Officials report that the accident happened when the driver of the bus lost control while trying to avoid another accident that happened just moments earlier. The bus rolled, and was then hit by another vehicle, only to be later sideswiped by a semi-truck. Family members of those killed are mourning the loss of their loved ones while individuals injured in the crash work towards a full recovery.
Chain Reaction Crashes
Multiple vehicle accidents are some of the most dangerous collisions that can occur on the road. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 15,000 people die in chain reaction accidents across the country every year. In fact, it is estimated that up to 40 percent of all traffic deaths in the U.S. are caused by multiple vehicle accidents.
There are many potential causes of chain reaction accidents, including:
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Running a red light
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failure to stop in time to avoid an accident
- Failure to stop at a stop sign
- Stop and go traffic
- Road hazards
- Neglecting to use turn signals
- Tailgating
- Construction zones
- Rubbernecking, or taking your eyes from the road to look at a traffic accident
Determining fault in a multiple vehicle accident can be quite difficult. Chain reaction accidents can occur in several scenarios, such as straight chain accidents, second vehicle caused accidents, and hit and runs. Most often, the rear vehicle in a chain reaction accident is deemed at fault, but depending on the scenario, any vehicle or all of the vehicles involved could potentially hold a degree of fault.
Chain reaction accidents often involve serious injuries, especially when larger trucks or buses are involved. Anyone injured in a chain reaction crash should consult with a personal injury attorney right away. Your lawyer will review the sequence of events leading up to the accident and determine which parties could be liable for the injuries you suffered.
Posted in: Automobile Accidents