A man driving a 2019 Nissan Sentra caused a multiple vehicle crash when he collided with a 2008 Honda Civic. Then he hit a 2017 Honda Accord killing the driver of the Nissan. The crash happened in Feather Sound at the intersection of Ulmerton and 34th Street N. around 4 p.m., Sunday, March 10, 2019.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper at the scene, the Nissan was traveling west on Ulmerton Road when it turned left into the path of the Civic. The Nissan then spun and hit the Accord that was waiting to take a left turn from Ulmerton onto 34th Street.
Unfortunately, the driver of the Nissan died at the scene. Paramedics took his passenger, along with the occupants of the Civic to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Multi-Vehicle Crashes
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration considers a multi-vehicle crash any collision that involves three or more vehicles. When this happens, the risk of serious injury and fatalities go up considerably.
The reason for this is the dynamics of a multi-vehicle crash. In all types of multi-vehicle crashes, there are often multiple impacts to the same car. As a result, occupants suffer multiple hits. Each impact has the ability to injure someone worse or cause death.
There are two primary types of multi-car collisions. First, one being a chain-reaction crash. This is where one collision sets off events that cause the involvement of other cars. These often happen on busy and crowded highways and streets. In many cases, a car endures two or more impacts thus causing greater injuries.
Others are pileup crashes where motorists on a freeway or highway are unable to stop when going at high speeds. They then crash into whatever is in front of them, and sometimes it is a vehicle that has already been in a wreck.
What to do if Involved in a Multi-Car Crash
If you get in a multi-vehicle accident, experts say to stay in your car. This might seem counter-intuitive, as many feel that they should get out of their car in case someone else hits their car. However, this is the reason to stay in your car with the seatbelt on. Unlike, a pedestrian being hit by a 4,000 lb hunk of steel and plastic. A damaged car offers more protection.
This doesn’t mean you suspend common sense, if there is a fire or you see or smell leaking fuel, for example, then you need to get out of your car and to a safe place.
How is Fault Determined?
Determining fault in a multi-car crash is sometimes difficult, and in multi-car crashes, it’s even more problematic. However, it all boils down to which person was negligent. Accident investigators will do their best to see which car struck which other car and in what order, but at the end of the day, they do not determine fault.
Unfortunately, after any major accident involving injuries, many insurers are likely to blame you for your injuries.
Do I Need an Attorney?
It’s up to each injured person whether they get an attorney. However, in multi-car wrecks, there are typically several insurance companies covering the many vehicles, and each one is going to point the finger at the other where liability is concerned. So the best thing to do is to talk to an attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you of your options.
If you were involved in a crash similar to this one, contact our personal injury team today for a free consultation and case evaluation. RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!” We describe our bold modern approach to “Accident & Personal Injury Law” and “Our Personal Mission” to empower Florida’s families to “Take Charge!”
