Multi-Vehicle Pile Up Accidents in Oklahoma City
Car accidents are a common occurrence in Oklahoma City, largely due to congested traffic, high-speed highways, and the presence of large commercial trucks sharing the roadways with smaller vehicles. Frequent road construction and frustrated drivers escalate the problem. The most devastating and destructive accidents are multi-vehicle pile-up accidents in Oklahoma City, which often cause many severe or catastrophic injuries, fatalities, and damage to vehicles and roadways.
If you or a loved one was involved in a multi-vehicle pile-up accident, contact our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys from Dan Davis Law to schedule a free case evaluation today.
What Is a Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up Accident?
When an accident involves more than two vehicles, it’s often referred to as a multi-vehicle pile-up or a chain reaction accident. Typically, these occur when the fast flow of traffic does not allow other drivers time to avoid collisions with the first vehicle or two vehicles in an accident.
There were 349 deaths in multi-car accidents in Oklahoma in a single recent year, including in pile-up accidents involving three or more vehicles.
What Causes Most Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups In Oklahoma City?
Most Oklahoma City pile-up accidents begin with a single car accident or a two-vehicle collision on a high-speed, multi-lane highway with fast-moving vehicles heading in the same direction. When drivers do not have adequate time to stop or maneuver around a crash in the moments after an initial accident occurs, they collide with the damaged vehicles, causing injuries to motorists in the secondary collisions and increasing injuries to those in the first crashed vehicles. Multi-car pile-ups may also occur on single-lane roads when cars in both directions collide with the initial single-car or two-car crash.
Speeding and distracted driving often cause the initial accident, and sometimes additional crashes. Inclement weather and slippery road conditions also contribute to pile-up accidents when cars slide into crashed vehicles.
Large commercial trucks are often involved in the worst multi-vehicle accidents because their extended length blocks multiple lanes, particularly when they crash in a jackknife position. If this is the case, speak with an experienced Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and explore your legal options.
Determining Liability for a Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up Accident In Oklahoma City
Determining the liable party in a multi-car pile-up accident often requires an extensive investigation, including examining photos from the crash scene, traffic camera footage, or video captured by nearby security cameras, as well as interviewing survivors and eyewitnesses. Traffic accident reconstruction experts are often crucial in determining liability in multi-vehicle pile-up accidents.
In many cases, one of the initial drivers is at fault for the accident and liable for damages. However, if other drivers contribute to the crash by speeding, failing to adjust their speed to slippery road conditions, or engaging in distracted driving, they may also share liability for damages.
Common Damages in Oklahoma City Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up Accidents
Injuries are often severe in multi-car accidents, especially when injury victims endure further impacts from each additional collision. A successful claim can recover financial compensation and a sense of justice by recovering an injury victim’s damages, such as the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss/diminished earning ability
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for additional damages for any catastrophic injuries, like traumatic limb loss, scarring, disfigurement, the loss of one of the senses, or diminished quality of life
If a loved one dies in a multi-vehicle crash, an Oklahoma City wrongful death attorney can help. To recover compensation, it’s important to act quickly. According to the Oklahoma statute of limitations, a car accident claim must be filed within 2 years from the date of the accident, and 2 years from the date of death for wrongful death claims, or you risk losing your right to recover damages.
How Can an Oklahoma City Car Accident Attorney Help?
If you or a close family member suffered serious injuries in a multi-vehicle pile-up accident, it’s crucial to have assertive legal representation to investigate the accident and safeguard you from insurance companies that may unfairly try to shift liability your way.
Contact our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers from Dan Davis Law at (405) 930-4210 for proactive legal representation and allow us to take prompt action on your behalf.