Picture several cars stopped at a red light when a driver, not paying attention, rear-ends the car stopped at the back of the line. That driver is hit so hard that he or she is forced into the car immediately in front of him or her causing a three car accident. On occasion, the initial impact is so severe that the chain reaction can reach four cars!
A potential client called the office this morning facing this scenario. He was stopped at a red light behind another car when he was rear-ended. The impact of the rear-end accident forced him into the car directly in front of him operated by a woman. The client was taken to the emergency room for observation and suffered whiplash injuries, namely cervical strain/sprain and a lumbar strain. He asked if I would represent him for his personal injuries, and then he asked if the woman he struck could sue him?
He was concerned that because it was his car that caused the damage to the front vehicle that he would be held responsible. This is absolutely untrue! If the driver in the middle of a rear-end pile up was safely stopped before the initial impact and was then forced into the car in front of him, he is not responsible for any damages caused. The driver at the back of the chain reaction is responsible for all damages.
This is a very different scenario than if you rear-end a vehicle and then are struck from behind by another driver not paying attention. In that case you will be responsible (at least 50%) for the damages (both property and injury) to the persons in the front vehicle. The person at the end of the chain may be partially responsible for the damage to the front vehicle and will be responsible for the rear-end damage to your vehicle (as well as 50% of any injury damages). You will be responsible for the damage to the front end of your vehicle.
These types of car crashes can be difficult to sort out and it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney if you are in the middle of a multi-car pile-up. Only the person at the front of the line has nothing to worry about!
If you have been involved in a multi-car collision speak with an attorney who is experienced in sorting out the details and winning against the insurance company. I was a former adjuster and I know how complicated it can be to determine fault in these types of accidents. Contact my office right away for a free consultation.