Multi-vehicle pileups are some of the most chaotic and dangerous car accidents that happen on Illinois roads. What starts as a single collision can quickly snowball into a chain reaction involving dozens of vehicles, particularly on high-speed highways like I-90 and I-55. The injuries in these crashes tend to be relatively severe, and figuring out who’s at fault can be relatively complicated as well.
If you were involved in a multi-vehicle accident in Illinois, learning about how these type of car accident cases in Chicago work can help you make more informed decisions about your next steps.
How Do Multi-Vehicle Pileups Happen?
Pileups typically start with one collision that catches surrounding drivers off guard. At highway speeds, there’s often not enough time or distance for other vehicles to stop before they’re pulled into the chain reaction. Some of the most common contributing factors include:
- Low visibility conditions
- Icy roads that increase stopping distances
- A sudden stop in fast-moving traffic
- Distracted drivers who don’t react in time
- Tailgating, which eliminates the space needed to brake safely
- Large trucks that take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles
Illinois’s harsh winters make the state more prone to these accidents than other states, at least during that time of year. A single patch of black ice on an expressway during rush hour can set off a pileup involving multiple vehicles in a matter of seconds.
What Makes These Cases Complicated?
The biggest challenge in a multi-vehicle pileup is determining liability. In a standard two-car accident, it’s usually clear which driver caused the crash. In a pileup, the picture is much less defined. Multiple drivers may have contributed to the chain reaction, and each one’s insurance company will be pointing the finger at someone else.
Illinois also follows a modified comparative negligence system that applies in these cases, which permits you to recover compensation as long as your share of fault stays below 51%. However, in a pileup, establishing each driver’s percentage of responsibility takes extensive investigation. Things like police reports, dash cam footage, and accident reconstruction experts could all play a role in sorting out what happened and in what order.
Another complication is dealing with multiple insurance companies at the same time. Each driver involved in the pileup has their own insurer, and each insurer has its own agenda. Coordinating claims across several policies while defending against allegations of shared fault is something that’s very difficult to manage without legal help.
What Should I Do After a Multi-Vehicle Pileup in Illinois?
Protecting yourself after a pileup starts at the scene, both in terms of your health and your legal interests. Keep the following steps in mind if you’re able to do so safely:
- Call 911 so that police and emergency responders can get to the scene
- Stay inside your vehicle if traffic is still moving around you
- Document as much as you can, including photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries
- Get the contact information and insurance details of every driver involved
- Seek medical attention promptly, even if you think your injuries are minor
You should also avoid discussing fault with anyone at the scene, nor should you apologize to anyone. In a pileup, it’s almost impossible to know the full picture of what happened in the moment, and anything you say could be used against you later.
Contact Meyers & Flowers for a Free Consultation With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Multi-vehicle pileups create legal situations that are far more complex than a typical car accident claim. If you’ve been involved in a collision, reach out to Meyers & Flowers today for a free consultation at (630) 912-7323. We’re one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the state, with over $6 billion won for our clients so far.