Orange County Multi-car Accident Attorneys
Sound Legal Advice in Complicated Case
Orange County residents understand the constant shuffle and flow of vehicles throughout their neighborhoods, from pushing through the traffic on Katella to get past Disneyland to the never-ending construction on the I-5. While all this chaos is the norm for Orange County, it comes with the risk of traffic collisions, and none more dangerous than a pile-up. A multi-car accident is a scary situation to be in, especially on a busy freeway like the I-15 or I-405, and these types of accidents are significantly more complicated. Whose insurance do you file a claim with? Who was at fault?
If you have been involved in a pile-up or multi-car accident in Orange County as a result of someone else’s negligence, reach out to the Orange County car accident attorneys at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie. Our legal team has an in-depth understanding of Orange County’s streets and highways, in addition to our extensive history handling personal injury claims, and can work through the evidence to determine liability. Call us at (949) 752-7474 to schedule a free consultation to review your case.
Serious Injuries in Multi-car Accidents
Pile-ups are unique compared to other car accidents because of the multiple points of contact. Your car could be struck by multiple vehicles, resulting in additional injuries. Or, if the crash involved a large tractor-trailer, such as in a jack-knife or rollover accident, your vehicle may have been struck once at high-speeds. Bottomline, you could be suffering from a variety of long-lasting injuries, including:
- Soft-tissue damage, such as whiplash
- Any number of broken bones or fractures
- Road rash, scarring, disfigurement, or amputations, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders
- Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from a concussion to brain hemorrhaging
- Damage to the spine or nerves, resulting in paralysis or limited function
In the most serious cases, a pile-up can result in the wrongful death of a loved one, either as a result of the initial collision or later due to the injuries he or she sustained. This is the most tragic consequence of these types of car accidents. It may be difficult to start filing a wrongful death claim after losing a loved one, but it may be your best option to financially move on after your loss.
Where Pile-ups Occur in OC
Orange County is home to several complicated roadways, intersections, and freeways. Miss one exit and it could take you a half an hour to get back on your route, especially at the Orange Crush Interchange. Combined with regular road construction, there are a number of hazards that can lead to an accident, pile-ups included. These often occur at major intersections, where the right of way is violated and a vehicle crashes into multiple vehicles or a driver fails to stop in time, leading to several rear-end accidents.
Many of our major roads has been the site of a multi-car accident, including:
- Beach Boulevard
- Harbor Boulevard
- Magnolia Street
- Euclid Street
- Chapman Ave
- Imperial Highway
- Jamboree Road
These are easily our most populated roads, leading to a host of businesses, neighborhoods, and all the way down to our sunny beaches, like Huntington and Newport. But they are particularly dangerous where they cross, such as Harbor and Chapman, as that influx of traffic can easily turn into a series of dangerous accidents. This is also true for our canyon roads, such as Laguna and Santiago Canyon Road, and our freeways, including the I-15, I-405, and Route-55, all of which are necessary for our daily commutes. But even though accidents are expected on these roads, that does not mean you should not pursue compensation after an accident, even if it does involve multiple drivers.
Determining Liability with Multiple Drivers
Accidents such as severe as a pile-up are often the fault of driver negligence, such as texting while driving, driving under the influence, speeding, or other reckless behavior. These actions can easily result in a collision with multiple vehicles if the vehicle is large enough or a chain reaction accident, where crashing into one car leads to either vehicle striking additional vehicles.
Generally, fault may lie with the driver whose reckless actions led to the first collision, however, each driver’s insurance company will likely deny liability or push the majority of the blame on another driver – or split the blame among multiple drivers. The one benefit is that you can file a claim against multiple insurance policies in order to be awarded a sizable settlement that factors in all of your injuries; the downside is that these insurance companies will try to claim you were partially at fault and minimize your settlement offer. To combat that, you will need a skilled car accident attorney at your side to both negotiate on your behalf and collect the necessary evidence to show who was at fault.
Though it may be more complicated, the types of evidence involved in a multi-car accident are the same as a two-car accident. Your case will include an accident report from the police, your medical report, photos and videos of the accident, any available surveillance footage (such as traffic cam footage), witness statements, and accident reconstructions. At Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie, our attorneys have the necessary experience, know-how, and skill to collect all this information and negotiate for fair and proper compensation on your behalf.
Knowledgeable and Experienced Representation You Need Right Now
A multi-car accident can be a traumatizing event and it can be difficult to get over the initial shock of multiple vehicles crashing into each other. You are likely dealing with major property damage to your vehicle, as well as expensive medical bills from any injuries you sustained. Any initial settlement offer from an insurance company may be seen as the first step to moving on from the accident, but that’s often far from the truth. While some medical expenses may be included, that offer will likely not include lost wages, long-term medical treatment or rehabilitation, or pain and suffering. In addition, there may be multiple insurance companies you can file a claim with.
When you bring your case to the Orange County multi-car accident attorneys at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie, we will review every loss you suffered as a result of the accident and hold every at-fault driver accountable. Our firm has over 40 years of experience securing awards for Orange County residents after serious accidents and we will advocate for the maximum amount of compensation available to you. Call us at (949) 752-7474 to learn what options are available to you under the law.
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