Collisions between two cars can and often do cause serious injuries no matter where they occur. However, collisions involving three or more vehicles colliding at once tend to get exponentially more dangerous with each additional car that winds up in the wreck. This is especially true when they happen in high-traffic and high-speed areas like the Beltway.
On top of that, multi-car accidents in DC can present challenges when bringing legal action, since there is often more than one person who shares some of the blame for the crash. If you were hurt, reach out to a seasoned auto accident attorney sooner rather than later.
If a person is injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, that person may be able to demand additional compensation beyond what their personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers by bringing a claim against the at-fault driver. They may also be able to take legal action through the Courts if the at-fault driver’s insurance refuses to offer a fair settlement.
Notably, if more than one person is to blame for causing a multi-car pileup through a reckless or careless breach of their duty to drive safely and lawfully, each defendant named in an ensuing lawsuit can be held fully liable for all injuries and losses stemming from the wreck. This is possible thanks to the concept of “joint and several liability,” which a seasoned attorney can explain in more detail during a private initial meeting.
A successful lawsuit or settlement demand over a car crash in DC involving multiple cars can incorporate both economic and non-economic forms of harm. In other words, both losses with objective financial values and losses that must be valued subjectively based on the injured person’s personal experiences. Specific damages which often play a role in cases like this include:
Some of these damages may also be covered by PIP insurance coverage or through a claim made against the liability insurance held by another person involved in the collision.
Driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic or navigating a crowded intersection can be stressful. Still, in theory, you should not be in any danger in situations like these so long as everyone acts responsibly behind the wheel. As you may have unfortunately learned the hard way, though, not everyone who uses public roads in DC is as careful while driving as they should be—which sometimes leads to crashes involving multiple vehicles.
You have help available from our legal team at Price Benowitz with proactively managing the aftermath of a multi-car accident in DC. Call today to discuss your recovery options.
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