Las Vegas is a worldwide destination for millions every year. Maybe you too want to sample the gourmet restaurants, hear the roar of the crowd at a Raiders game, try your luck in a casino, and take in the glitzy lights of the Strip for yourself. So you hop in your car and head toward the city. In the heart of Las Vegas, there’s an area called the “Spaghetti Bowl” where I-15, US-95, and US-93/I-11 all converge. You naturally find yourself passing through this heavily trafficked area.
Before you know what’s happened, the car in front of you has slammed on its brakes. You react in kind, but it’s too late. You’ve rear-ended them. Moments later, you hear the sickening crunch and feel the force of another car hitting into you. There’s a chain reaction of car after car colliding into the next. What was supposed to be a fun trip has now turned into a chaotic mess, and now you’re on the phone with a car accident injury attorney trying to figure out what to do next.
Why Are Multi-Car Accidents Common in the Las Vegas Area?
As a tourist mecca, Vegas regularly welcomes many millions of visitors each year, and these visitors are often unfamiliar with the roads or distracted by the glitz of the city.
Beyond visitors, Vegas’ permanent population is growing, too. The greater Las Vegas metropolitan area has consistently outpaced national growth rates and is now home to more than 3 million residents. This leads to congested roadways and busy rush hours.
In a city bustling with tourists and locals, there are plenty of opportunities for multi-car pileups.
Common Injuries from Multi-Car Accidents
Common injuries can include:
- Whiplash or other neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries from seat belts or airbags
- Internal injuries such as internal bleeding or organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains, contusions, etc)
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Psychological trauma
You can sustain these injuries in any kind of car accident, but in multi-car crashes, vehicles coming from different angles can deliver these types of injuries with each new blow. One car’s impact can cause broken bones while another can cause whiplash, a TBI, a spinal cord injury, etc.
How Liability Is Determined in a Multi-car Accident
The key step in a car accident claim is establishing liability. This involves showing that another driver had a duty of care, that they breached this duty, and that their breach caused you real physical and financial harm.
Establishing liability in a multi-car accident is particularly tricky. Sure, you rear-ended Car A, but they stopped abruptly. Perhaps Car C was following too closely behind you, and Car D was speeding behind them and not paying attention. So who’s really at fault?
In a case like this, investigators will review police reports, witness statements, photos of the scene, or dash cam or other surveillance footage to try to piece together the sequence of events.
What If You’re Partially at Fault?
Oftentimes, multiple cars will share liability for the car accident. If you’re partially at fault for an accident, this does not necessarily cancel your right to collect damages.
Shared liability falls under Nevada’s Modified Comparative Negligence rule. This rule states that an injured person is able to recover compensation, even if they share fault for an accident, as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50%. So if a person is 20% at fault for a $10,000 claim, they may recover $8,000 (reduced by 20% or $2,000).
If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. That’s why insurance companies often go to great lengths to shift blame. Every percentage of blame pushed in another direction means less that they have to pay out.
How Insurance Companies Try to Get Out of Paying for Your Claim
Do not be surprised if insurance companies delay the settlement process, argue that you are at fault, downplay your injuries, or claim that your injuries existed before the accident. They may also try to offer you a settlement before you understand the full scope of your damages. They’re hoping you’ll take quick cash rather than hold out for a settlement that reflects all of your costs, including ongoing medical treatment and therapies.
Because insurance companies are focused on their own bottom line, you’ll need to gather the right evidence to support your case and stand firm to make sure your rights are protected.
What to Do After an Accident
The steps you take right after a multi-car accident matter for both your safety and your legal claim. Before you leave the scene:
- Ensure you and the people around you are safe. Do you or any others have injuries? If someone is hurt, avoid moving them, as this can cause further harm.
- Turn on hazards and, if possible, move away from traffic and out of harm’s way.
- Call the police, and get a copy of the police report.
- Exchange information with all those involved in the accident. Sometimes this is done through the responding police officer(s), but it’s also wise to take your own photos of insurance cards, IDs, license plate numbers, etc.
- Take as many pictures as you can. These should include wide shots of the scene and close-up photos of all damages to your vehicle and all others involved. Take note of road conditions or any other factors that contributed to the accident. Photograph skid marks left by tires, signage, or anything else that will help reconstruct how the accident happened.
- Do not admit fault. Do not apologize or make speculations.
The Importance of Medical Testing and Treatment
Seek medical care as soon as possible after the accident, even if you think your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can mask the severity of your injuries, but a doctor can pick up on these “hidden injuries” and keep you from making them worse.
Get all recommended testing to document the immediate medical impact of the crash. Be consistent with follow-up care to show that you are taking your injuries seriously.
Because insurance companies may question the severity of your injuries, you’ll want good medical records on your side.
How an Attorney Can Help
An attorney can give critical advice and inform you of your rights, especially in complicated cases, such as those involving multi-car accidents. They can help determine fault and gather evidence to build an airtight case on your behalf. They can also deal with insurance companies to keep them from pressuring you into saying something you regret or accepting a settlement that is too low.
Contact our car accident injury attorneys serving Summerlin, Henderson, and Las Vegas. For more than 50 years, we’ve been fighting for the rights of multi-car accident victims, and we are committed to doing the same for you.
Infographic
Multi-car accidents are especially common in Las Vegas, and the collisions they produce are uniquely damaging, with vehicles from different angles compounding harm in ways a single collision rarely does. Find out things to know after a multi-car accident in this infographic.
