Who Takes the Blame for a Chain Reaction Car Accident?

Posted on March 18, 2022 by admin

One of the most fundamental elements of an auto accident claim is determining liability. In most car accident cases, the at-fault party is fairly easy to point out. In such cases, the driver to blame for an accident would be responsible for the other driver’s resulting damages, such as auto repairs, medical expenses and pain and suffering. The at-fault driver’s insurance carrier would have to pay for the damages the at-fault driver caused.

But when a car accident starts with one driver and continues down a line of other drivers in a chain reaction, who would be liable then? Would each driver that comes into contact with the vehicle in front of them be held liable? What if the driver in the back started the damaging domino effect?

Well, there is no straight answer really. These kinds of auto accidents can become complex, and therefore, require the guidance of a seasoned accident attorney. In the meantime, continue below to review some basic facts about chain reaction car accidents and liability, plus information on how to move forward with an Indiana auto accident injury claim.

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Chain Reaction Auto Collisions

Domino-effect car collisions usually happen from the back and impact cars in the front. Imagine two cars are parked at a stop light and a drunk driver or inattentive driver approaching the light does not stop, or is unable to stop in time, thus colliding into the back of the second car in line, which causes that driver’s car to rear end the first car in line.

When the sudden and unexpected impact coming from the rear of a vehicle is so strong that it causes the vehicle to jerk forward and hit the vehicle in front of them, bodily injury sometimes occurs to everyone involved, including passengers. The most common types of injuries that result from chain reaction car accidents include whiplash, neck injuries, back injuries, hip injuries, spinal injuries, child injuries, concussions, and orthopedic injuries.

Assigning Liability in a Domino Effect Car Accident

When a person is wrongfully injured in a chain reaction car accident, they deserve justice in the form of compensation regardless of how many drivers were involved. Although such cases are sometimes challenging, it is possible for injured victims to recover damages with the help of a seasoned auto accident lawyer in Indiana.

As for assigning liability in a chain reaction car accident or pileup, Indiana uses a lengthy investigatory process to examine the details of the accident and each driver’s contribution. Here in Indiana, the most common causes for domino effect car collisions are impaired driving, speeding, and following too closely to the car in front. If you can avoid these behaviors, you can reduce your chances of being involved in a car accident of any fashion.

If you were recently hurt in a car accident that involved other drivers, seek out professional advice on your rights to pursing full and fair compensation through a personal injury claim. Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced and compassionate auto accident lawyers in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent clients throughout the state of Indiana, and can meet over phone, video, or in-person at our Indy-based office.

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Who is Liable if an Adolescent Causes a Car Accident?

Posted on March 28, 2018 by admin

Car Accident Claims for Minors 317-881-2700

In almost all automotive accident cases, the main objective of both parties is to prove who is responsible for the resulting damages. Avoiding liability and recovering compensation depends on which parties acted negligently to cause the accident, and to what degree. This means, a party involved in the accident will be proven at-fault and held liable for any economic damages and losses suffered by the injured party.

Although this is standard procedure under law, there are circumstances in which a person who was not present or driving the vehicle can be sued and held liable for a motor vehicle accident. This is referred to as “vicarious liability”, or “imputed negligence”, and it plays a major role in situations where minors cause serious car accidents that involve injury to one or more parties.

Vicarious Liability

Even if a person was not driving their vehicle, or even present at all during the accident, there is still a possibility that they could be sued for damages in a car wreck. This is mostly common among parents who lend their vehicles to their children, or have their children’s vehicles in their name. If a minor causes a car collision that results in another person’s injury or death, the parents of that minor can be held liable for all damages under vicarious liability law. There are a few separate ways in which this can occur.

Negligent Entrustment

The law may perceive a parent, also referred to as an “entruster”, as negligent if they allow their teenager to drive a vehicle in their name knowing that their child is reckless, untrustworthy, inadequate at driving, or unlicensed. If a child falls under any of these descriptions, and subsequently causes a serious accident, the guardians can be held accountable for the damages.

They can be sued for high amounts of compensation to cover automotive repair costs, hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged therapy, lifelong disabilities, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and much more. There is virtually no limit to which a victim can sue a negligent parent after their teenager causes them serious injury from a motor vehicle accident.

Family Purpose Doctrine

In the case that a member of the family borrows another family member’s vehicle, with or without permission, and then causes an accident, the car owner can be held liable for the damages incurred. This holds true regardless if consent was granted or not. In other states, whoever signs for a minor’s Drivers’ License is the authority that can be held accountable if a minor causes serious injury to another person while driving.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

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317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for motor vehicle accident claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you or a loved one was recently injured in a car accident caused by a minor, call our licensed personal injury attorneys right away. There is a statute of limitations in Indiana that regulates the amount of time a victim has to legally pursue compensation for a serious injury. When you need strong and successful legal representation following a serious car accident, we are the trusted personal injury lawyers to trust. Schedule a free initial consultation, today!

Which Driver is Liable for a Rear End Accident in Indiana?

Posted on May 16, 2017 by admin

When a driver collides into the back of the vehicle in front of them, they are almost always at-fault for the damages caused to both the vehicle and the people inside. However, there are exceptions to this rule since Indiana is a comparative fault state. This means that the fault of each driver is considered when assigning liability for a car accident. Continue reading to learn more about comparative negligence and rear end accidents in Indiana.

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Auto Accident Liability

The reason why comparative negligence law is important is because liability in a car accident is not always clear cut. For instance, if a driver has to pull over on the side of the road but does not do so properly, and as a result, they are hit from behind by a passing vehicle, they would likely share part of the blame, as well as, the costs to cover the damages.

On the other hand, the driver in the front can sometimes be responsible for a rear end accident, relieving the rear driver of any liability. An example of this would be if a driver accidently puts their car in reverse and hits the gas, subsequently colliding into the vehicle behind them. Although traffic laws clearly state that every driver should maintain a safe distance from one another, there are times when this example happens. Other times, the rear driver may share a small part of liability for being too close to the vehicle in front of them.

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

The laws surrounding comparative negligence and comparative fault are complex, and vary from case to case depending on a wide number of factors. For this reason, it is important to hire an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to represent your accident claim after being rear-ended in a car collision. They have the knowledge, experience, and resources to effectively navigate your claim and recover the full compensation you deserve.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are seasoned personal injury attorneys who work around the clock to ensure our clients receive the full and fair compensation they deserve after suffering injuries in a car accident. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

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