Multi-vehicle crashes can lead to severe injuries, mounting medical costs, and plenty of confusion regarding fault and the path to seeking compensation. If you’ve been involved in a multi-vehicle crash, an auto accident lawyer in New York can evaluate your case to help you better understand your rights and potential options for compensation. Below, our team from Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC, sheds light on how fault is determined after these accidents.
Understanding How Multi-Vehicle Crashes Happen in New York
Multi-vehicle crashes can occur in various ways. One of the more common examples is a pile-up, where one vehicle is rear-ended, and the following cars are unable to stop in time, creating a chain reaction of more back-end collisions. Poor weather conditions, such as rain or snow, can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, increasing the chances of vehicles being unable to stop in time.
Accidents involving multiple vehicles may also happen in the middle of an intersection, on the highway, and in construction zones. While multi-vehicle collisions are less common than those involving one or two cars, they’re still a prevalent concern. Consider these statistics:
- From 2005 to 2021, over 130 fatal vehicle collisions involved 10 or more vehicles.
- 3.6% of fatal chain-reaction accidents with more than 10 cars kill five or more people.
- This rate is six times higher than crashes with six to 10 vehicles and 100 times higher than crashes with fewer than five vehicles.
Determining Multi-Car Accident Liability
Determining fault in a multi-vehicle crash requires a detailed investigation because several drivers may have contributed to the chain of events. In New York, investigators look closely at how the crash began and how each driver responded in the moments leading up to the impact. Often, the first point of contact, such as the driver who initiated the first collision, plays a major role, but secondary drivers may also share responsibility if they were speeding, following too closely, or failing to adjust to traffic or weather conditions.
Evidence is critical in these cases. Police officers will assess the scene and document physical clues like skid marks, debris patterns, and the final position of each vehicle. Their reports are reviewed by insurance adjusters and attorneys carefully.
Eyewitness statements also help fill gaps in official documentation, especially when drivers recall events differently. In many situations, attorneys also rely on accident reconstructionists who can recreate the crash sequence to determine how and why each impact occurred. Dashcam videos, highway cameras, and nearby business surveillance cameras can all be leveraged in the fault determination process.
New York’s Laws on Shared Fault
New York follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means that in multi-vehicle crashes, each driver’s compensation can be reduced according to their percentage of fault. This rule becomes especially important in complex collisions where multiple drivers may have made mistakes. For example, even if one driver triggered the initial rear-end, others may still share responsibility if they were texting, driving too closely, or under the influence.
When discussing liability in any New York auto accident case, though, it’s important to understand the state’s no-fault insurance laws, which require injured drivers to first seek medical coverage through their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy, regardless of who caused the crash.
When injuries are severe (as defined under New York law) or accident costs exceed certain thresholds, victims may step outside of the no-fault system to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault parties. In that case, liability may be divided among everyone who contributed to the crash, assigning a percentage of fault to each driver. Settlement awards are ultimately reduced by the assigned liability percentages.
Steps To Take After a Chain Reaction Collision
After a multi-vehicle crash, the scene can be chaotic, and it’s often difficult to know what to do first. However, taking the right steps early on can protect your health and claim. We recommend that you:
- Seek medical care immediately: Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries take hours or days to appear.
- Report the accident to the police: A police report creates a formal record of the crash, documents vehicle positions, and preserves statements from drivers and witnesses.
- Gather evidence at the scene: If it’s safe, take photos, exchange information, and note any cameras or potential witnesses.
- Notify your insurance provider: You must file your no-fault claim within the required deadlines to access your PIP benefits.
- Consult an attorney: A lawyer can investigate the accident, help determine liability, and ensure you meet New York’s statute of limitations, which restricts the time you have to file a lawsuit for additional compensation.
Speak With a New York Car Accident Lawyer Today for Help With Your Case
Were you involved in a multi-vehicle crash? Call Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC, today at (888) 275-3554 to speak with an attorney about your options. We can help with filing your car accident claim.
FAQs Answered by New York Auto Accident Lawyers
These common questions help clarify how liability and compensation typically work after a complex collision.
Who Pays for Car Accident Damage in New York?
Under New York’s no-fault system, your own insurance initially pays for your medical expenses and certain financial losses, regardless of fault. When damages exceed certain thresholds or when accidents cause serious injuries, you may potentially file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. In this scenario, you would be requesting that their insurer pay for your additional damages.
Can Multiple Drivers Share Liability for a Car Accident in New York?
Yes, New York’s pure comparative negligence law allows fault to be divided among several drivers. Each party is responsible for damages in proportion to their percentage of fault.
Do Injury Lawyers in New York Help You Identify Liability?
Yes, attorneys analyze evidence such as police reports, on-scene footage, witness accounts, and accident reconstructionist statements to determine how a multi-vehicle crash unfolded and which drivers contributed to the chain reaction.