Chain Reaction Accidents

The Maine chain reaction accident attorneys of Peter Thompson & Associates are recognized leaders in personal injury law. We are dedicated to defending the rights of victims injured by negligence. Our firm has successfully represented numerous drivers injured in chain reaction accidents, helping them get back on their feet. We have offices conveniently located in Portland, Bangor, and Falmouth to serve clients throughout Maine.

Chain reaction accidents refer to collisions involving multiple vehicles in a series of impacts. Sometimes the chain reaction is caused by the force of the first collision. Being rear-ended by a truck or tractor-trailer is one example. Being hit by a normal car traveling at a high velocity is another. In these cases, the sheer force of the first impact can cause cars to crash into the vehicles in front of them in a rapid succession of accidents. The chain reaction stops when the force is expended. These accidents are common on busy highways or in heavy traffic. They are the type of accidents that bring rush hour traffic to a standstill.

Other chain reaction accidents are caused by the failure of one or more drivers to stop their vehicles in time. In heavy traffic, with weaving cars switching lanes, it is difficult to maintain a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front. This buffer zone is necessary, however, to allow some room for error after slamming on your breaks. The failure to maintain a safe following distance may make that driver comparatively at fault for the accident, even if his or her negligence was not the initial cause of the crash. These chain reaction accidents are especially common today, when drivers spend more time multi-tasking behind the wheel and less time focusing on the road.

Other causes of chain reaction accidents include:

• Driving while intoxicated
• Falling asleep at the wheel
• Swerving to avoid a collision
• A seizure or certain medical conditions
• Fleeing vehicles in a police chase
• Talking or texting while driving
• “Rubbernecking” and other distractions
• Product defects in brakes, lights, or other car parts

In multiple-car accidents, there is usually at least one party at fault. Maine law holds the negligent driver liable for any injury or death caused by the accident. Maine drivers are required to carry one of the nation’s highest minimums for liability insurance in the event of a crash. But the statutory minimum cannot cover all the property damage and injuries caused by a chain reaction accident. In this situation, injured victims may have to proceed against the initial negligent driver and any other parties that contributed to the crash. Individual fault may be established through an investigation of the accident: eyewitness accounts, police reports, skid marks, and debris are helpful in determining the sequence of events.

If you were injured in a chain reaction accident, the experienced Maine chain reaction accident lawyers at Peter Thompson & Associates can help. We have prevailed in numerous chain reaction accident claims. We have private investigators and the most qualified experts to thoroughly research the crash, and identify all the parties that are liable for any harm you suffered as a result of their conduct. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be entitled to compensation, with your portion of negligence subtracted from the award. As the injured victim, you are entitled to several forms of damages, including vehicle repair bills, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. At Peter Thompson & Associates, we dedicate ourselves to helping you get the compensation you deserve. Call 800.804.2004 for a free consultation or contact us online.