Who Pays My Claim in a Multi-Vehicle Crash?

 Posted on February 13, 2025 in Car Accidents

On February 9th, eight vehicles tangled in a crash on I-80. The Joliet Fire Department had to extricate one driver and needed five ambulances to take seven injured victims to nearby hospitals. Seven more people refused medical treatment after the multi-vehicle collision.

Accidents involving more than two vehicles are more common than you might think. Although you may qualify to pursue compensation for your damages, you need to know who was responsible for causing your crash first. When multiple cars are involved, determining fault is complicated. A knowledgeable Will County, IL car accident attorney can investigate your accident, establish fault and liability, and work hard to help you get as much compensation as you deserve.

How Is Fault Determined in Multiple-Car Collisions?

A detailed investigation is necessary to determine the cause of a chain-reaction crash. These collisions do not happen simultaneously; instead, a single crash has a domino effect. For example, a high-speed rear-end impact can push the struck car into the vehicle ahead of it, and so on. Each individual crash must be investigated.

While the person who caused the initial accident may be at fault for all the subsequent crashes, that is not always the case. For instance, a distracted driver might hit vehicles that were already involved in the mass collision. In that case, the distracted driver could also share liability for injuries and property damage.

Your car could have been struck several times by different vehicles. Each impact may have further damaged your car, caused new injuries, or worsened existing injuries. Driver A may have hit the rear passenger side of your car, causing you to sustain head injuries when your head hit the door frame. Driver B might then have struck your driver’s side front panel, spinning your car around. The impact with Driver B could have worsened your head injuries, broken your collarbone, and caused additional damage to your car.

Why Is It Important to Understand Who Caused What Damage in a Chain-Reaction Crash?

Suppose there were eight vehicles involved in your crash and that every driver has auto insurance coverage. Up to eight insurance companies are now involved, and none of them want to pay your claim. Each insurer will likely blame someone other than its policyholder for your damages. While these companies fight amongst themselves, you are left wondering if you will ever receive any compensation.

You need clear evidence to establish fault and to prove that your losses resulted from your accident. It is very important to choose an aggressive attorney who has won similar cases. We have the resources to investigate complex crashes and hold the at-fault drivers — and their insurers — accountable.

Consult an Experienced Joliet, IL Car Accident Attorney

When you have a complex car accident case, you need to choose an exceptional Will County, IL personal injury lawyer from McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC to handle it. Call 815-727-0100 now to speak with our legal team or set up your free case review online.