Interstate 80 Multi-Car Incident
During the morning commute on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, a multi-car crash occurred east of Manuel Campos Parkway on westbound Interstate 80. Four vehicles were involved, and at least one person suffered injuries and was transported to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vacaville, according to a spokesperson from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The collision happened at approximately 7:20 a.m. In addition to the CHP, the scene was attended by Medic Ambulance personnel and the Fairfield Fire Department.
Multi-Car Crashes on Interstate 80
Any time there is a car crash involving three or more vehicles, it is documented as a multi-vehicle crash. Most of the time, such incidents are the result of a chain reaction – a car rear-ends the vehicle in front of it, and those that followed that car find themselves without time to stop. This type of collision means the occupants of the first car to be hit will feel multiple impacts. Depending on the speed of traffic, the subsequent impacts may be very violent. Often, the middle vehicle(s) sustain serious damage as they are essentially sandwiched, experiencing both front and rear impacts.
Multi-car collisions most often happen in heavy, stop-and-go traffic, when motorists tend to drive too close to other vehicles and may not be paying close enough attention. They also happen frequently when the Northern California region experiences heavy fog conditions.
Who is at Fault in a Multi-Car Crash?
Most of the time, the driver who was the first to crash will be assigned the highest percentage of the blame. However, each motorist that did not leave enough space or time to stop to avoid subsequent collisions will likely share in the liability. Not allowing enough time to stop is negligent driving behavior. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to reasonably apportion the fault so that their client receives fair compensation for the losses suffered.
Common examples of negligent behavior in a multi-car crash:
- Motorists tailgating
- Excessive speed or driving a vehicle in an otherwise careless or reckless manner
- Texting or reading a mobile device while driving
- Driving a vehicle with inoperable brake lights
- Driving while distracted or otherwise not paying attention to traffic ahead
Watch the YouTube video. Distracted driving is a common cause of multi-car crashes. The clip below discusses distracted driving behaviors.
Establishing Fault in a Multi-Car Crash
For any personal injury claim to proceed, liability (legal responsibility) must be established. Because there are complexities involved in a multi-car crash, it is a good idea to retain a skilled injury lawyer who can gather evidence that will result in their client being compensated for medical bills, income loss, pain and suffering, and other damages.
AutoAccident.com has been consistently successful in establishing negligence and getting fair compensation for our clients that have been involved in multi-car crashes.
Fairfield Car Accident Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading our discussion of multi-car crashes, such as the recent incident in Fairfield. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Fairfield car accident lawyer. Establishing liability is the first important step in a successful personal injury case. Do not let the insurance companies deny or unfairly apportion fault in a claim arising from a multi-car crash. For help following an accident, call our office for free and friendly advice at (707) 564-1900. If you will be calling from another region in Northern California, use the toll-free number we provide: (800) 404-5400.
We have been helping injured Fairfield residents obtain successful settlements and verdicts for more than 38 years. Please see our reviews at the following sites:
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