Most people picture car accidents as two vehicles colliding. But sometimes, an accident in Alpharetta involves multiple parties at once. In multiple-party accidents, liability is more complicated. How do you know who’s at fault for your injuries?
An Alpharetta multiple-party accident lawyer can help identify the responsible drivers and your damages. You might need to file several claims for financial recovery.
Contact our lawyers to learn your compensation options. We have 20-plus years of experience, and we are not afraid to fight for your rights. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
Common Reasons for Multiple-Party Accidents
Multiple-vehicle accidents can have many causes. Here are some of the most common ones we’ve seen.
Distracted Driving
Smartphones and other technology have increased the number of distracted driving accidents. A driver might cause an accident because they were:
- Texting while driving
- Talking on the phone
- Changing the radio
- Watching or filming a video
- Talking to passengers
- Putting on makeup
- Daydreaming
Distracted drivers cause many different types of accidents, including multi-car accidents. Even with Georgia’s Hands-Free Law (HB673), distracted driving accidents keep happening.
If you suspect one of the drivers in your accident was distracted, contact a lawyer. Also, tell officers about your suspicions after you call the police.
Driving Under the Influence
Drivers on drugs or alcohol often cause multiple-party accidents. An impaired driver will make careless mistakes while driving. If traffic is heavy, the drunk driver might crash into several cars.
A drunk or drugged driver might hold more responsibility for a multiple-vehicle crash. The courts will consider the driver’s impairment when looking at liability.
Driver Fatigue
Fatigued driving is common with truckers and other commercial drivers. These drivers often have strict work deadlines to meet. They’re also behind the wheel for long periods. Drowsy driving is prevalent—and very dangerous.
If a semi-truck driver falls asleep, they can cause a catastrophic accident. A truck accident can quickly turn into a multiple-car crash. As the driver is driving on behalf of their employer, both the driver and their company might be at fault.
Bad Weather Conditions
Poor weather conditions increase the risk of accidents. Examples of bad weather include:
- Snowy or icy roads
- Flooding
- High winds
- Hail or sleet
- Tornados or hurricanes
Drivers must adjust to dangerous conditions in Alpharetta. For example, it makes sense to slow down and increase following distance on an icy road. Even if the speed limit is 55 mph, drivers will need to go much slower to stay safe on icy roads.
Multiple-vehicle accidents are common when the weather is terrible. It often starts with one motorist who is not driving carefully enough. The driver collides with another vehicle and creates a chain reaction. Before long, the accident involves multiple drivers.
Reckless Driving
Examples of reckless driving include:
- Tailgating
- Excessive speeding
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Ignoring traffic signs
- Not signaling before changing lanes or turning
A reckless driver is a negligent driver. When driving behavior is erratic, it can easily cause a severe accident with several vehicles.
How Liability Works in Multi-Car Accidents
The at-fault driver in a car accident is liable for the damages. But what if there are many parties involved in the accident? Then, things become more complicated.
If you were injured in a multiple-car accident, it’s essential to look at the causes. Ask questions like:
- What actions contributed to the accident?
- Was one or more drivers being negligent? How?
- Did I have any fault in the accident?
Negligence is a legal term for carelessness. If a driver does not exercise reasonable care, it’s known as negligence. When someone’s negligence leads to an accident, they are liable for the damages.
Georgia’s Comparative Negligence Laws
In Georgia, more than one party can be partially at fault for an accident. If someone is 50% or more at fault, they cannot recover damages under Georgia Code §51-12-33. These are the state’s modified comparative negligence laws.
After the accident, the police will assign liability based on each driver’s actions. If someone is partially liable, you can still recover damages. However, you must have less than 50% fault in the accident. If you hold some responsibility for the accident, that will affect your compensation.
These laws can become complicated quickly. If your accident involved several people, call a multiple-party accident lawyer today. For a FREE consultation, call (404) 341-6555 or contact us online.
What to Do Right After a Multiple-Vehicle Accident
There are ways you can start building your case after the crash. In fact, you can gather crucial evidence right at the scene.
After the accident, we recommend you take the following actions:
- Pull over and stop your vehicle.
- Call the police to report the accident.
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with all drivers.
- Take pictures of the accident scene.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Document the accident as much as possible. If the crash involved multiple parties, contact an experienced lawyer who can help you get started.
Take Action as Soon as Possible
Your lawyer will need to notify the responsible parties in your accident. They will also need time to investigate and build your claim. In Georgia, you only have two years from the accident to bring your case.
Don’t wait to get started. Call an Alpharetta multiple-party accident lawyer as soon as you can. It will hurt your compensation options if you wait too long.
Call Our Alpharetta Multiple-Party Accident Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation
Multiple-car accidents become complex quickly. But you don’t have to handle your case alone. An experienced lawyer will take care of the legal side while you focus on healing.
Our car accident lawyers are here to help. We have been helping accident victims for more than 20 years. We’ll discuss your accident and what you can expect. If you work with us, there is no fee unless you win.
Call us at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online for a FREE consultation today. We’ll match you with the best car accident lawyer for your needs.
