Fort Worth Multi-Vehicle Car Crash Lawyer
Have you been injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Fort Worth, TX? If someone else’s negligence contributed to your car accident, you may be entitled to damages. Multi-vehicle accidents are among the most serious car crashes and the most complex.
With multiple insurance companies attempting to minimize liability and several people pointing fingers, you deserve a Fort Worth multi-vehicle accident lawyer who will protect your rights.
Jason Stephens has decades of experience representing victims of multi-vehicle accidents. Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today by calling (817) 420-7000 to schedule a free initial consultation with a legal advocate who can help you.
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How a Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help if You’ve Been Hurt in a Multi-Vehicle Car Crash
After a multi-vehicle collision, several insurance carriers are usually involved, all attempting to limit their liability.
It can also be difficult to determine who is liable for your accident without expert testimony and an in-depth accident investigation.
Without the help of a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, proving your case and recovering compensation can be challenging.
Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has more than two decades of experience and a track record of success.
An award-winning trial lawyer, Stephens has been named as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomas Reuters for 16 years running and he is an AV Rated Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell. He has won some of the largest verdicts in Texas history, including the 8th largest motor vehicle verdict.
You deserve a legal advocate who will fight for you and do what it takes to protect your rights. When you hire Stephens Law Firm, PLLC to represent you, you can count on Jason Stephens to:
- Listen to your story with a compassionate ear while building a strategic plan to help you recover
- Handle every aspect of your injury case while you focus on recovering
- Perform a thorough investigation of your crash and consult with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts
- Gather and assess evidence from many sources to determine causation and liability
- Negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurance companies
If a fair settlement can’t be reached at the negotiation table, Jason Stephens has the courtroom experience necessary to present your case before a jury. Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule your free consultation with a Fort Worth multi-vehicle car accident lawyer who will fight for you.
What Causes Multi-Vehicle Accidents in Fort Worth?
In 2017 alone, there were more than 13,000 vehicles involved in fatal multi-vehicle accidents across the United States according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Multi-vehicle or pile-up accidents are among the most serious car accidents as it can be difficult for first responders to reach injured victims and vehicles are often hit multiple times.
Pile-ups in Fort Worth often occur when one driver strikes another and sets off a chain reaction. Other drivers may be following too closely and lack time to react to an accident that happens in front of them. Sometimes the initial crash causes one vehicle such as a truck to jackknife and strike vehicles in other lanes.
There are many factors that may contribute to a multi-vehicle car crash in Fort Worth:
- Poor weather such as fog or rain can make the roadway dangerous and reduce visibility. In fact, many of the largest pile-ups in recent history have been caused by weather. In 1994, a 127-vehicle accident occurred on I-35 in Texas due to glares and rain-slicked roads.
- Obstructed line of sight. A pile-up can happen when a driver’s line up sight is obstructed. This may be due to construction, large semi-trucks on the road, or other factors.
- Following too closely. A chain reaction can happen if drivers follow too closely. This means drivers do not have enough time to react when an accident happens in the lanes in front of them.
- Driving under the influence. Drunk driving contributes to 29% of all fatal crashes.
- Distracted driving. It’s believed that distracted driving is a factor in 9% of fatal accidents. When one or more drivers are distracted by a cell phone, for example, they may cause an accident by drifting out of their lane or failing to slow down in time.
Multi-vehicle accidents can have many causes. These types of accidents are almost always complicated as many factors can contribute to an accident. One driver may cause an initial accident by speeding, but other drivers can also be liable for following too closely, being distracted, or driving recklessly.
An experienced Fort Worth car crash attorney will work to investigate your accident to determine how and why it happened and who is at fault.
Common Injuries in a Multi-Vehicle Accident
Pile-up accidents often lead to fatalities and serious injuries with many parties hurt. There is usually more than one point of impact which increases the likelihood of being injured. Vehicles can be struck from multiple directions.
Sadly, fatalities and serious injuries can even occur when a vehicle catches fire or a vehicle occupant who is in shock or frightened leaves their vehicle.
It can even be difficult for first responders to reach injured victims in a large pile-up.
Common injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle car crash include:
- Whiplash
- Fractures
- Organ damage
- Chest injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological trauma
- Wrongful death
A multi-vehicle accident can leave you with injuries that affect you for the rest of your life. An experienced Fort Worth personal injury attorney will help you protect your rights and fight for the full compensation you deserve from the at-fault parties.
Who Is Liable in a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Texas?
As overwhelming as a multi-vehicle crash can be, the aftermath can be complicated and confusing. When three or more vehicles are involved in an accident, determining how the accident happened and who is liable can be a time-consuming process best handled by professionals.
Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC will conduct an investigation of your accident and work with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists to gather evidence.
We use many forms of evidence to establish liability such as:
- Onboard vehicle technology
- Traffic citations
- Police reports
- Vehicle damage and skid marks
- Witness statements
- Dashcam footage
- Traffic camera footage
When a multi-vehicle accident is caused by a chain reaction, the general rule of thumb is the driver who caused the initial crash is usually at fault. In some cases, multiple parties may be to blame.
In some cases, only one driver is found at fault for a pile-up. This may happen if the lead vehicle in the crash had malfunctioning brake lights which caused the following vehicle to hit them. The vehicle in the middle of an initial crash may be liable for following too closely.
Of course, the more parties involved in the crash, the more complicated liability and recovering compensation can become. The modified comparative negligence rule in Texas will likely come into play.
Under the comparative negligence rule, you cannot recover compensation if you are 51% or more at fault. Drivers are held legally responsible for damages equal to their share of assigned fault in a crash. In a multi-vehicle crash, each driver may be assigned liability based on their share of relative fault. This means you may recover compensation from multiple parties.
Damages Available in a Multi-Vehicle Accident
A pile-up accident can lead to serious and life-changing injuries. When the negligence of other drivers was responsible for your accident, you can recover compensation for the damages you have suffered.
Damages are divided into two broad categories: economic damages which have a clear financial value and general damages that do not have an intrinsic financial value.
Common damages you can recover after a Fort Worth multi-vehicle crash include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills, including current medical expenses and the anticipated cost of future medical care
- Lost wages for time you took off work to recover
- Disability or reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
There is no limit to the damages you can recover except in the case of punitive damages. These damages are awarded by a jury in rare cases to punish someone for particularly egregious wrongdoing. Punitive damages in Texas are capped at the larger of $200,000 or twice the amount of economic damages and an equal amount of general damages up to $750,000.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Multi-Vehicle Crash
Note that there is a strict two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas after a car or truck accident. This means you have just two years from the date of the accident to file a claim or you lose your right to recover compensation.
Because multi-vehicle accidents are complicated and generally require extensive accident reconstruction and investigation, it’s crucial to begin working on your case as soon as possible. If you delay pursuing your claim, valuable evidence may be lost. Contact a Fort Worth multi-vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your claim.
Contact a Fort Worth Car Wreck Lawyer Today
Have you been seriously injured in a multi-vehicle accident in Fort Worth? The last thing you should be worried about while you struggle to recover and move on is a complex investigation and fighting with multiple insurance companies. A Fort Worth multi-vehicle car crash lawyer will help you protect your rights and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free initial consultation with Jason Stephens, an award-winning personal injury lawyer, to discuss your case.
Other Car Accident Cases We Cover
- U-turn accidents
- Red and yellow light accidents
- Hit & run accidents
- Intersection crashes
- Head-on crashes
