The Manhattan Beach auto accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore, APC represent clients injured in multi-vehicle accidents that weren’t their fault.
Multi-vehicle auto accidents are getting to be an all too common event on California’s congested roadways. If you’ve been injured in a multi-vehicle auto accident in Manhattan Beach or elsewhere that wasn’t your fault, it’s important to protect your rights to ensure you receive the total compensation you are due for the damages you suffered as a result of the accident.
Causes of Multi-Vehicle Auto Accidents in Manhattan Beach
Multi-vehicle auto accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including:
- Following too closely
- Changing lanes without signaling
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Traveling at an unsafe speed (either too fast or too slow)
- Sudden stops
- Environmental conditions: inclement weather, slick roads, poor visibility due to fog, smog or smoke, etc.
- Inclement weather causing slick roads and/or poor visibility
These types of accidents can be very dangerous; a single vehicle may be struck several times. Drivers and passengers can find themselves trapped in crumpled vehicles. Gasoline spilling onto the road from ruptured fuel tanks can create a serious fire hazard. The sheer number of vehicles involved can make rescue efforts by first responders difficult.
Chain Reaction Accidents
One of the most common types of multi-vehicle accidents is the “chain reaction” accident. A chain reaction accident occurs when a group of cars travel very close together and one driver suddenly hits their brakes.
Because the cars are traveling so close to each other, the other drivers don’t have time to brake safely to avoid a collision with the vehicle in front of them. The vehicle that braked is hit by the car behind it, which is hit by the car behind it, which is hit by … well, you get the idea.
The worst multiple car wreck in U.S. history (so far) occurred not too far from Manhattan Beach. On November 3, 2002, a multi-car accident involving almost 200 vehicles occurred on the 710 freeway running through Los Angeles. The cause? Low visibility due to dense fog. Amazingly, no one was killed during the mess, but 41 people were injured.
Comparative Fault – Why Legal Representation Is So Important After A Manhattan Beach Multi-vehicle Accident
Multiple vehicle accidents are very complex. It may be difficult to determine exactly which vehicle(s) were directly responsible for your accident.
Proving who was at fault in your accident is important when you seek compensation for your damages in a multi-car accident. That’s because the state of California applies the “comparative fault” standard when it comes to determining liability and negligence after an accident.
Comparative fault means a judge or jury will determine the amount of responsibility each driver had for the accident. The judge will award damages accordingly.
An exception may exist for out of pocket economic losses where the injured party is not at fault. Under the rule of joint and several liability for such damages, a driver who is at fault in any percentage must pay 100% of the such out of pocket damages.
An experienced Manhattan Beach auto accident personal injury attorney will be able to fully investigate the accident to gather the evidence needed to prove how much or how little responsibility you had for the accident. This can be a challenge when several vehicles are involved. By proving the other vehicles shared more liability than you did, your attorney can maximize the amount of your compensation.
Speak To A Leading Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Attorney About Your Multi-vehicle Auto Accident
Protecting your rights is critical after a multi-vehicle auto accident. The personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore, APC help clients injured in all types of car accidents in Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Lawndale, Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Gardena and other South Bay California communities.
We will fight to see you get the total compensation you are due for your injuries and ensure you are not denied recovery for any damages for which you weren’t responsible. Damages may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
The sooner you get legal help the better. Contact the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore, APC today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced injury attorney.
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