Generally, the more cars that are involved in a crash, the more serious the injuries are. It isn’t all that hard to figure out why: more cars means more people, and multiple points of impact. Basically, all of the factors that make any car accident potentially serious are multiplied when more cars are involved.
One such accident happened recently in Louisville, leaving two with critical injuries. According to a story from WDRB, three cars were involved in an early morning crash near the 2100 Block of West Broadway in Louisville. Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) responded to the scene around 3:20 a.m., where they found the three vehicles, one of which ran into a nearby building and caused a power outage after damaging utility poles.
The Louisville Fire Department (LFD) had to extricate three people from their vehicles, with two facing life-threatening injuries. At least two others involved in the crash were injured. All of the victims were transported to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment. The crash is still under investigation by the LMPD’s Traffic Unit. Police also said that power was restored within a few hours of the crash.
What Options Do You Have After a Multi-Vehicle Accident in Louisville?
The story above demonstrates why multi-car accidents are so dangerous in Louisville. That said, your options–as a victim–are the same as any other car accident, where you can file an injury claim to recover damages.
That said, liability in this situation is harder to nail down, given that multiple people are involved. Still, the basic rule for determining liability is the same as in any car accident: it’s based on negligence.
In simple terms, liability falls on whoever was reckless or careless and caused the accident. The tricky part with multi-car crashes is that more than one person might be at fault. But because it’s still based on negligence, any or multiple of the following could be liable:
- The driver who caused the initial collision
- Other drivers whose actions contributed to the crash
- Pedestrians who may have acted recklessly
- Car or parts manufacturers if faulty equipment played a role
- Government agencies responsible for road maintenance
With multiple vehicles and potential causes, figuring out exactly who’s liable can get complicated. To make sense of it all, it’s extremely important to nail down liability for everyone. This can take time, but with it, you have the option to either file an insurance claim or lawsuit against everyone that’s liable. This not only increases the chances of getting damages, but also means you can potentially get more damages from every person or group that’s liable. So, once your claim is filed, you can recover things like:
- Medical bills and ongoing care needs
- Lost wages or reduced earning ability if you can’t return to work
- Repair or replacement costs for your car or other property that’s damaged
- Costs relating to pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Emotional distress related to the accident
- Loss of quality of life or companionship
- Wrongful death expenses if you’ve lost a loved one
- Punitive damages in extreme cases
Remember, you have to file your claim within one year of the accident date to have a chance at these damages. Also, Kentucky also uses a “comparative negligence” system. This means if you share some responsibility for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Taking quick, informed steps can help protect your right to recover what you’re owed. And the best way to do that is to work with our experienced Louisville car accident lawyers at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC.
Work With Experienced Louisville Car Accident Lawyers
A multi-vehicle accident can lead to serious injuries and unexpected financial burdens. If you’ve been involved in such an accident in Louisville, our experienced team at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC is here to help. We’ll fight for your rights and work to secure the financial support you need to recover and move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation.
