The Unique Dangers of Pileup Accidents

In February of this year, two were killed in a fiery multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 near the Georgia Welcome Center in Port Wentworth. According to officials, the motor vehicle accident involved five commercial tractor trailers and one passenger vehicle hauling a camper. The accident began when a tractor trailer was driving into the welcome center at a high rate of speed and slammed into another truck, which then caused an “accordion effect” that resulted in four more tractor trailers being struck. The collisions ignited a fire that, unfortunately, claimed the lives of two truckers. This incident highlights the unique dangers of pileup accidents. Readers who have suffered injuries in such accidents should consider speaking to a Tifton accident attorney to discuss their options for legal recovery. 

How Pileup Accidents Occur 

Pileup accidents, also known as “multi-vehicle collisions,” generally involve three or more vehicles. While no two pileup accidents are alike, they most often are caused when a single driver causes a chain reaction of accidents. This could occur, for example, where Driver A hits Driver B and pushes Driver B into Driver C. It could also occur where Driver A hits Driver B and creates a roadblock that oncoming vehicles do not see in time to stop. Depending on the speed the instigating driver is going, the initial collision may cause the vehicle that is struck to spin out across multiple lanes of traffic, thereby striking additional vehicles and causing additional chain reactions. Weather conditions, such as snow, ice, and fog, can increase the risk of pileup accidents, but they can also be caused by tailgating, distracted driving, excessive speeding, and sudden hazards such as falling rock or tire blowouts. 

How Pileup Accidents Cause Injuries 

Accidents that involve pileups are different from other types of car accidents and come with unique dangers, including: 

• Increased risk of multiple injuries: Vehicles involved in pileup accidents typically are struck multiple times when additional vehicles slam into them, thereby increasing the risk of additional injuries each time the vehicles are hit. 
• Crush injuries: Vehicles caught in pileups can be crushed when they become pinned between other vehicles. If large tractor trailers are involved, passenger vehicles can also become trapped underneath. 
• Inaccessibility to emergency vehicles: If a pileup accident is large enough, first responders can struggle to reach the occupants of vehicles trapped in the middle of the pileup 
• Fire risk: Many pileup accidents, including the one discussed above, cause fires. In some cases, the occupants of vehicles pinned in the pileup may not be able to escape. 
• Pedestrian injuries: Even if the occupant of a vehicle in a pileup is able to escape, he or she may be struck after leaving the vehicle 

Speak to a Tifton Accident Attorney About Your Options for Legal Recovery After a Pileup Accident

Assigning liability after a pileup accident can be difficult, as multiple parties may be partially responsible for any individual’s injuries. However, you can increase your odds of recovery by working with an experienced attorney. For more information, please contact a Tifton accident attorney at the Hudson Injury Firm by calling 229-396-5848 or using our online form.