Unraveling the Complexity of Chain Reaction Accidents in Atlanta

Chain reaction accidents can be quite dangerous, in large part because there is very little that Atlanta-area drivers further along in the “chain of collisions” can do to avoid further damage.  When a precipitating collision causes a chain reaction of additional collisions, it can therefore make for an incredibly messy lawsuit.  If you were hit by a car that was itself pushed forward and forced to collide with your vehicle, then who can you hold liable for your injuries?

Chain-reaction accidents typically involve:

• An initial collision
• Three or more vehicles, overall
• Complicated issues of causation

The nature of a chain-reaction accident will require extensive factual investigation to determine the potentially liable parties.  Call (404) 902-3154 to speak with a qualified Atlanta car accident attorney who is experienced in litigating chain reaction accidents.

Fundamentally, in Georgia and elsewhere, the answer lies in the element of causation.  The concept of causation can be a bit difficult for laypeople to grasp, so let’s consider some of the basics.

Causation Basics

In Atlanta, as well as the rest of Georgia, to hold the defendant liable, you must prove that the defendant was both the actual cause of your injuries and the proximate cause of your injuries.

ACTUAL CAUSE

To show that the defendant was the actual cause of your injuries in a chain reaction accident, you will have to show that “but for” the defendant’s negligence, you would not have suffered an injury.

For example, suppose that you would like to hold the precipitating driver liable for your injuries (i.e., the driver whose initial collision led to the chain reaction accident).  You will have to show that, were it not for that driver’s initial collision, there would not have been a chain reaction that led to you being injured.

PROXIMATE CAUSE

Proximate cause is all about foreseeability.  Essentially, you will have to show that — not only were the defendant’s actions the “but for,” the actual cause of your injuries — but also that your injuries were a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the defendant’s negligent conduct.

In the chain reaction accident context, proving proximate cause can be somewhat challenging, as you will have to show that, given the circumstances (say, a high-speed collision), the subsequent multi-vehicle, chain-reaction pileup was a reasonably foreseeable consequence.  Generally speaking, the more egregious the conduct of the defendant, and the more dense the traffic was at the time of the accident, the more likely it is that you will be able to prove that the defendant’s conduct proximately caused your injuries.

Consult an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible

Attorney James Ponton has represented clients in a variety of motor vehicle accident lawsuits, including chain reaction accidents, for nearly a decade.

Prior to litigating injury claims, Attorney Ponton worked as an insurance defense attorney.  Thanks to this defense background, Attorney Ponton is uniquely capable of developing a successful litigation strategy that properly considers the strategies typically employed by insurance defense counsel.

Interested in litigating your chain reaction accident claim, or any other car accident claim?  Call (404) 902-3154 today to connect to an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney here at Ponton Law.  The initial consultation is free. We look forward to speaking with you.