Being involved in a multi-vehicle accident can be an immensely scary experience. Multi-vehicle accidents can be devastating, and many will result in serious injuries, serious damage to property, and in some cases, fatalities. Multi-vehicle accidents are often the fault of just one party, however. One wrong move by one driver can have a knock-on effect on the other vehicles on the road and cause them to crash into each other. But at the scene of the accident, it can be difficult to determine which vehicle set the collision in motion.
Footage From the Scene:
Getting footage from the scene can help you figure out what and who caused the collision. You might want to speak to local businesses with CCTV that captured the crash, or other drivers on the road at the time who may be using dashcams advises https://hensleylegal.com/indianapolis/car-accident-lawyers/. Footage from the scene is usually the best way to see exactly what happened, which is why more and more drivers are investing in dash cams for their cars and trucks.
Speak to Witnesses:
Witnesses might have seen how the crash started and unfolded in real-time. If you are able to, you should talk to as many witnesses as possible at the scene of the accident to get an account of what they saw while it is still fresh in their minds. Multiple witnesses with the same story is usually a strong indication that this is what happened, and can often be used in court to support your claim, so it’s worth getting the contact details for any witnesses who come forward.
Contact the Police:
In the event of a multi-vehicle incident on the road, you should always contact the police as soon as possible to report the crash and have them come out to examine the scene. While visiting the scene, the police are not only there to make sure that everybody involved is safe and can get medical attention where needed, but they will also assess the damage to the vehicles with trained specialists who can often spot patterns or damage types that might help indicate which vehicle was responsible for the pile-up.
Admitting Fault:
While it is not advised to do so – one of the reasons why you shouldn’t say ‘I’m sorry’ at the scene of an accident – the simplest way to determine who was at fault is if the driver comes out and admits it. They may do this immediately or after having pressure put on them from the police and the insurance companies where there is enough evidence to reasonably suggest that they were the party responsible for the accident.
Multi-vehicle accidents can be very dangerous, but even if you were lucky enough to come away without being badly injured, the process of figuring out who was at fault can be frustrating. If you have been involved in a multi-vehicle accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a trained car accident lawyer who can help you through each step of the process.
