Chain Reaction Accidents at Florida Stop Lights – Who is Responsible for My Injuries?

car crash accident on streetA chain reaction crash is an accident that occurs when multiple vehicles pile up after an initial collision. One recent case of this involved a Pennsylvania man and his passenger getting rear-ended at a stop light by a pickup truck; this took place near the Wildwood intersection in Sumter County, Florida. The Pennsylvania driver died from the chain reaction collision, while his passenger sustained serious injuries from the accident. The driver of the pickup truck was a 49-year-old Williston man who reportedly didn’t slow down at the red light traffic signal, and ended up thrusting into six other vehicles. Now charges are pending against the pickup truck driver.

With multiple parties involved, it can be difficult to tell in a chain reaction car accident who’s at fault. When mediation or settlement is not possible, it can become necessary for a court to determine responsibility for a person’s auto accident injuries. Contact Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore in Tampa Bay if you’re interested in learning more about this process.

Chain Reaction Causes

This type of accident usually occurs from the first vehicle slowing down or halting at a stop light, and the rear-end driver failing to yield to the vehicle ahead of it. And it’s common for chain reactions to occur as a result of poor weather conditions, like an icy road where the drivers have little vehicle control. Chain reaction accidents also happen from vehicle malfunctions and reckless drivers, including people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Determining the main factors involved in an accident will be important for a court case; the driver who is found to have acted negligently behind the wheel will likely be the one who is sued. Because there can be a combination of causes, it can often be difficult to find fault in just one person – unless that driver was proven to have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In a court case, it’s up to the legal team to investigate how an accident occurred, examine and develop proof to try to identify who’s at fault, and then evaluate the severity of the incurred injuries. In the case of the Florida pileup, the driver didn’t slow down for a red light, while the other drivers were obeying traffic laws. Proof of this important detail would determine the responsibility of the truck driver.

Common Auto Accident Injuries

Auto accident crashes are often fatal, with an estimated 42,915 American deaths in 2021. Survivors can expect to experience injuries as minor as a scrape or as severe as a long-term disability. Head trauma is one of the more common forms of injury, as well as whiplash of the neck and spine. Victims will often develop chest injuries from deep bruises or broken ribs. Your arms or legs can be at risk from a side impact of a vehicle collision. The medical bills from an auto accident can become steep, sometimes making it necessary to seek Tampa Bay personal injury attorneys for help.

Legal Compensation

In the aftermath of an accident, the victim will need to pay for medical expenses, property damages, and a loss of income while waiting in recovery. If your auto insurance agency doesn’t fully pay for these damages, do not hesitate to exercise the option of hiring an attorney – preferably one who specializes in auto accident injuries. A qualified legal team would be able to investigate the details of your chain reaction crash, find information on how the accident occurred, who’s at fault, and whether and how you should be compensated in the aftermath.

Personal Injury Lawyers in Tampa, FL

If you’re interested in finding local representation in Tampa, Florida, the experienced attorneys at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore are ready to serve you. In a complicated personal injury claim that involves multiple parties, our personal injury lawyers in Tampa would speak up for you – and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm at 813-225-4000 or at 800-360-6439 to schedule an appointment with the team.