St. Louis Multi-Vehicle Accident Attorney

Three toy cars, two white and one red, are involved in a multi-vehicle collision on a wooden surface. The scene includes a "CAUTION" sign and a red traffic cone, both made of plastic.

The more vehicles involved in a collision, the more complicated the resulting legal cases are likely to be. Many more people may be injured and seeking compensation, and there are more potentially at-fault parties to blame as well. Insurance companies will take advantage of the confusion, looking to shift fault onto another company’s policyholder to avoid paying their fair share.  

Don’t attempt to deal with this headache on your own, especially not while you should be focused on your health. Instead, let Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC put our 30-plus years of legal experience to work for you. Our St. Louis multi-vehicle accident lawyers can determine who’s at fault for the accident and demand that they bear the financial burden of what you’ve suffered. 

Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal options after a chain-reaction collision in St. Louis.  

What Is a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident?  

Multi-vehicle car accidents involve several motor vehicles. This type of accident usually starts with a single collision that creates a chain reaction that leads to subsequent crashes. Because of how they occur and the number of cars involved, multi-vehicle accidents are also known as chain reactions or pileups.  

The number of vehicles and drivers involved can make investigating multi-vehicle accidents difficult. Our chain-reaction car accident lawyers serving St. Louis can use our legal experience and our firm’s resources to determine financial liability and pursue compensation from every available source.  

How Pileup Collisions Happen in St. Louis 

Pileup collisions typically begin with an initial accident. The crash then affects other drivers or blocks the roadway, causing more cars to become involved. In most situations, the original cause of the accident that starts the chain reaction is driver error, such as: 

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Speeding or traveling too fast for road or weather conditions
  • Aggressive or reckless driving (road rage)
  • Distracted driving and texting while driving
  • Illegal or improper lane changes
  • Illegal or improper turns
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Disobeying traffic signs and signals

Our multi-vehicle car accident lawyers in St. Louis can identify what caused the chain-reaction crash and pinpoint who is at fault. We can take action against all negligent parties and their insurance companies to seek maximum compensation for all your losses. 

Common Places Where Multi-Car Crashes Occur 

Multi-car accidents occur most often on high-capacity, high-speed roadways. The riskiest roads for a chain-reaction crash in St. Louis include interstates, major U.S. and state highways, and high-volume or complex intersections. High-traffic situations and adverse weather conditions can also increase the likelihood of a pileup. 

Potential Injuries from a Chain-Reaction Car Crash 

The extensive trauma unleashed by chain-reaction car accidents can result in severe and catastrophic personal injuries like: 

  • Broken bones
  • Loss of a limb
  • Head, facial, and dental injuries
  • Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
  • Whiplash

Determining Fault and Liability for Multi-Car Accidents 

Determining fault and liability for a chain-reaction accident can be tricky because it can be hard to tell which car and driver triggered the chain reaction. There can also be drivers in the subsequent pileup whose negligence added to the crash. 

Our multi-vehicle car accident lawyers in St. Louis can conduct a thorough investigation and work to prove financial liability by gathering evidence like: 

  • Police reports
  • Cell phone, dashcam, traffic camera, or surveillance videos
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Photographs, video, and debris from the accident scene
  • Photographs of your injuries and vehicle damage
  • Crash reconstruction reports
  • Expert testimony
  • Medical records 

A St. Louis car accident attorney with our firm can use the evidence we collect to build a compensation claim for your: 

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost income and employment benefits
  • Lost future earnings and reduced earning capacity
  • Household services
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Wrongful death of a loved one 

Factors Making Multi-Car Accident Cases More Complex 

Chain-reaction accidents are inherently more complex than single- or two-vehicle crashes. Several parties could share blame for the car accident, in which case you may have to file claims against multiple insurance policies to recover the total compensation you deserve. Dealing with several claims means dealing with several insurance companies, as well as their paperwork, deadlines, and adjusters. Managing this can be challenging at the best of times and downright overwhelming when you’re also coping with a serious injury. 

Second, since multiple drivers may be liable, your case could involve comparative negligence. According to Missouri law, injury victims can recover compensation from negligent parties according to their percentage of fault. In addition, any fault born by a victim will reduce their awards by that amount. 

For example, say you have $100,000 in losses from a pileup crash. The court finds that one liable driver bears 50 percent fault, a second bears 40 percent, and you bear 10 percent. The first driver would owe you $50,000, the second would owe $40,000, and you would not be able to collect $10,000. Figuring out fault percentages can be confusing, and opposing parties may try to blame you for the accident to reduce their financial liability. 

Finally, you have a limited window to seek financial recovery. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Missouri is five years. If you do not take legal action before the deadline expires, you likely will not be able to secure the compensation you deserve. Our St. Louis multi-vehicle accident lawyers can help you launch your case before time runs out. 

How Our Lawyers Help People Hurt in Pileup Crashes in St. Louis 

When you work with Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we handle every detail of your complex multi-vehicle accident case so you can focus on healing. We can conduct the accident investigation, identify liable parties, aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation, and take legal action as necessary. 

Fearless. Compassionate. Experienced. Look no further if you are wondering where to find a chain-reaction car accident lawyer near you. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.