A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Discusses What to Do if you are injured in a multi-car pileup in Pennsylvania

Being involved in a multi-car pileup is a life-altering event. Driving along a Pennsylvania road, it’s unlikely that you stopped to consider the possibility of being involved in a car accident. Not to mention a car accident involving multiple vehicles. Multiple vehicle car pile-ups involve vehicle damage, smashing metal, and the distinct possibility of injuries being suffered. Once you have been hit from behind by another driver, it does not take much force or time to propel your vehicle into the rear of the vehicle in front of you. This chain reaction can involve many vehicles in a line. Depending on the traffic conditions, time of day, and force of impact, you may be part of a pileup involving a dozen or more vehicles. Everything happened so quickly, and you may not know where to turn for help. Contacting the other driver’s insurance company may not have gotten you anywhere. Insurance companies will attempt to avoid admitting fault on behalf of their insured driver. Where this leaves you is potentially searching for answers. In a situation where you are involved in a multi-car pileup in Pennsylvania, there is one name that should be at the top of your list when it comes to looking for help.  A Philadelphia car accident attorney from Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., knows how to work on your behalf. Whether it is an insurance company or in the courtroom, our team of legal professionals puts our clients and their interests first. Please contact us today for a free consultation. 

What are the most common causes of multi-car pileups?

Multi-car pileups are among the most dangerous and life-threatening situations that you can experience. A two-vehicle accident results in a limited number of collisions. On the other hand, a multi-car pileup involves more than two vehicles. The more vehicles that are involved in the accident, the greater the property damage, disruptions, and potential for severe injuries. 

Furthermore, multi-vehicle pileups often occur in an instant. This makes the resulting chain reaction nearly impossible to prevent once it has begun. There are several causes of multi-car pileups that occur most regularly. Here is a run-down of those most common causes. 

Inattentive drivers and speeding 

In the age of smartphones, social media, and text messaging, it is undeniable that drivers are more distracted now than ever before. Distracted driving typically takes two forms: speeding and inattention while behind the wheel. 

Road conditions in the Spring are often challenging to manage, even when drivers are paying close attention. However, if a driver around you on the road is checking his social media account or replying to a text message, that makes speeding even more dangerous, likewise, for inattentive driving. Even travelling the posted speed limit is not enough to prevent a pileup if that same driver is not paying attention to the road. 

Think of how often a vehicle around you in traffic brakes suddenly to avoid debris in the road or to make a last-second turn. Fortunately, if you leave enough space between yourself and that vehicle, you can prevent a collision. However, inattentive driving may mean that the vehicle behind you is not able to avoid rear-ending you. A multi-car pileup is more likely when inattention and speeding are added as factors. 

Spring weather creates unpredictable road conditions

Slick road surfaces, rain-impacted visibility, and hubcap-sized potholes can all lead to multi-car pileups. Spring in Pennsylvania means encountering all of these circumstances while driving, sometimes all in the same day. 

The road conditions and weather impact the distance required to brake in the event of a sudden stop. The brakes on your vehicle function best in dry, moderate temperature environments. The Spring weather in Pennsylvania can be unpredictable, leading to difficult road conditions to manage. 

A chain reaction of vehicles colliding with one another can occur when enough space is not left between vehicles. If a car suddenly brakes and one of the vehicles behind it does not stop in time, there is a distinct possibility of a multi-car pileup. Depending upon the speed with which the vehicles are traveling, severe injuries are more likely to result from the collisions. 

The role of insurance companies after a multi-car pileup

If you have been injured in a multi-car pileup, then you must be prepared to move forward with intentionality. This means setting goals and creating a plan to achieve them. Recovering from your injuries, collecting wages lost due to missed time from work, and determining the extent of your pain and suffering are good places to begin. 

Even if you are not at fault for the accident, the insurance companies for the other vehicles involved in the multi-car pileup can potentially stand in your way of accomplishing those goals. Insurance adjusters assigned to your claim will analyze the collision with a fine-tooth comb, trying to find any possible way to avoid paying damages. Any evidence that can be found to minimize the insured’s responsibility will be utilized. 

Fortunately, experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., understands what it takes to advocate for clients with the insurance companies. The clients of our office are not pressured to accept settlement offers below value or to complete medical treatment sooner than their bodies require. The support offered by our office to clients just like you can be the difference between achieving your goals and falling short. 

Receive medical care as soon as possible

The first step after being injured in a multi-car pileup is to seek medical attention. Walking away from an accident may be possible, but once the adrenaline wears off, you may find that soreness is more prevalent than before. Injuries such as bruising or whiplash may be initially masked by adrenaline. 

Seek medical attention as soon as possible after your accident if you believe it to be necessary. Not only is this a good decision for your health, but it also makes sense for your personal injury claim. As we just discussed, insurance companies will look for any reason to deny, delay, or diminish your claim. Waiting to seek medical care means that an insurance company may point to these “gaps” in treatment as a reason not to pay you what your claim is worth. 

This is especially true if you wait so long to seek treatment that it becomes difficult to tie your injuries to the multi-car pileup. The longer your delay in receiving medical care, the easier it becomes for an insurance company to try to argue that the pileup did not cause the injuries you are alleging. The financial losses you suffered and the pain you have endured may not be compensated fairly unless you first seek appropriate medical care. 

What to do after establishing a plan for medical care

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., counsels his clients to develop a comprehensive plan for achieving goals in a multi-car pileup case. Your case, your injuries, and your circumstances are unique. A team of legal professionals understands the importance of unearthing all available evidence to strengthen your case. 

This could involve consulting with medical professionals who can help you understand the nature of your injuries and what future treatment may be necessary. This is a critical step to take. Once you understand your injuries, you can develop a strategy to recover damages from the at-fault insurance company. 

The goal of the insurance company will be to close your case as quickly as possible. Your role in that process would be to accept a settlement offer well below an amount that is fair or appropriate. Many injured people in your position will do so, however. This is typically done due to uncertainty over the value of their case or intimidation tactics presented by the insurance company. Working with a Philadelphia car accident attorney can help you avoid this outcome. 

Seek experienced legal assistance to achieve favorable results from a Philadelphia car accident attorney

When you are injured in a multi-car pileup, it’s in your best interests to act quickly to protect your claim. Seek immediate medical care, gather evidence, and consult with a Philadelphia car accident attorney who handles pileup accident cases. Taking these steps early can make a major difference. If you have more questions than answers after the crash, turn to someone who has guided injured victims before. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., knows what it takes to get results in and out of the courtroom. Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t get pushed around by the insurance company — we fight for your rights.