Multi-Vehicle Accident Attorney in New York

Multi-vehicle accidents are among the most chaotic and complicated collisions that occur on New York roads. Unfortunately, the complexity of identifying who is at fault in a multi-vehicle accident often extends to the legal process of pursuing compensation for your car accident injuries. If you have been injured in a multi-car pile-up in New York, you need a New York car accident lawyer with experience in these complex cases.

Scott C. Gottlieb is a New York multi-vehicle accident lawyer who has fought for his clients since 1980. Focusing exclusively on personal injury cases, he has recovered millions of dollars to help injured New Yorkers move forward after devastating accidents. Contact the office of Scott C. Gottlieb 24/7 to meet with an experienced car accident lawyer for a free case evaluation.

What Is a Multi-Vehicle Accident?

A multi-vehicle accident, also referred to as a chain-reaction accident or pileup, generally involves three or more vehicles colliding in a chain of events. These crashes are most likely to happen in heavy traffic on high-speed highways, congested city streets, and active intersections. Unlike typical car accident cases, multi-vehicle accidents present unique challenges for investigators to sort out because numerous drivers and other parties may have liability. Weather conditions and roadway factors may also contribute to these crashes.

Accidents involving multiple vehicles can occur in various ways. Some scenarios include:

• Chain-reaction rear-end collisions, in which one car hits another and causes a domino effect of collisions
• Accidents in which one driver loses control of their vehicle, striking multiple vehicles across several lanes or causing a pile-up by spinning out on wet or icy roads
• Two-car crashes that leave vehicles stopped in active traffic lanes, leading to additional collisions as unsuspecting drivers approach the scene and strike one or both stopped vehicles

Liability is often disputed in auto accident cases involving multiple vehicles and insurance companies. Having a multi-car accident attorney in New York advocating for you can make a significant difference when pursuing a personal injury claim to recover compensation for severe injuries.

New York No-Fault Laws and Multi-Vehicle Accidents

New York is a no-fault insurance state. After most car accidents, including multi-vehicle crashes, car accident victims must first turn to their own insurance company for compensation for their injuries. Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance benefits cover necessary medical expenses, 80 percent of lost wages (up to a maximum of $2,000 per month for up to three years), and certain other costs up to the policy limits. No-fault insurance doesn’t cover non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

After a motor vehicle accident, sometimes the medical costs for treating a person’s injuries exceed the limits of their no-fault coverage. When this happens due to a serious injury such as a bone fracture, loss of a fetus, or permanent disability, the injured person may have the right to file a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver or drivers.

In multi-vehicle crashes, determining the at-fault party and who is financially responsible can be a challenging task. Multiple drivers may share blame, and their insurers will often dispute liability to minimize their financial exposure. Drivers who are partially responsible for causing a car collision may still be eligible to seek compensation under New York law, although the amount may be reduced. If an at-fault driver is uninsured, you may have to file a claim against your uninsured motorist coverage to pursue compensation.

A NY multi-vehicle crash lawyer can advocate for your interests and fight to prevent insurance companies from trying to shift the blame and avoid financial responsibility.

How Can a New York Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyer Help You

Securing legal representation is essential to protect your rights after a multi-vehicle accident. These cases often involve multiple insurance companies, conflicting accounts of the crash, and complicated questions about liability. A New York pile-up accident lawyer can manage the legal process while you focus on your health and recovery. An experienced attorney can assist you by:

• Thoroughly investigating the accident by gathering police reports, video footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction analysis
• Identifying all potentially liable parties, including drivers, vehicle owners, employers, or government agencies responsible for roadway maintenance
• Handling all communications with insurance companies to protect you from tactics aimed at minimizing your claim
• Calculating the full value of your losses, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future medical expenses related to the injury
• Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement that covers all your losses
• Filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial if the insurance provider refuses to agree to a reasonable settlement
• Advising you on New York’s no-fault and comparative negligence laws and how they affect your car accident claim
• Managing all legal deadlines and procedural requirements so your case stays on track

Injuries Commonly Caused by Multi-Vehicle Car Crashes

Multi-vehicle accidents often involve high-impact collisions with vehicles coming from several directions. This increases the likelihood of serious injuries and catastrophic injuries. Injury victims may suffer a wide range of physical harm that requires extensive medical attention and long-term rehabilitation, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Concussions
• Spinal injury
• Herniated discs
• Neck injuries, including whiplash
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Severe lacerations
• Burns
• Amputations
• Soft tissue injuries
• Facial injuries
• Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder

The severity of the injuries typically depends on factors such as vehicle speed, the point of impact in a New York car accident, and the total number of collisions involved.

What Are Common Damages in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?

Personal injury lawyers are often asked, “What is my car accident case worth?” Victims of multi-vehicle accidents may be entitled to pursue compensation for a wide range of losses. A New York car accident attorney can calculate your losses, so your claim reflects the full extent of the harm you have suffered. The amount of compensation you may seek depends on the severity of your injuries, the medical treatment costs, the impact of the injuries on your life, and the insurance policies available to provide compensation.

Common types of compensation an injured party may seek include:

• Current and anticipated future medical expenses
• Lost income and anticipated future lost earnings
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
• Property damage
• Wrongful death

Contact a New York Multi-Vehicle Accidents Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a multi-car pileup, an experienced multi-vehicle collision lawyer in Binghamton, New York can fight for the justice and compensation you need. Scott C. Gottlieb can handle every step for you, from filing insurance claims to coordinating with your doctors to be sure your claim reflects the full extent of your injuries. Contact Binghamton car accident lawyer Scott C. Gottlieb to discuss your legal options. The law firm offers a free consultation to explore your legal options following a multi-vehicle collision.