Not every car accident around St. Joseph only involves one or two vehicles. In fact, some of the most devastating crashes are multiple vehicle accidents. With every additional car or truck involved, the chances for a serious personal injury increase. The amount of property damage in the accident rises, as well.
Luckily, no one was seriously hurt in a car accident last week near St. Joseph that involved five vehicles.
No Injuries in Multiple Vehicle Car Accident
The accident happened during rush hour in the rain on Friday evening, January 20, 2017.
There was a line of cars waiting at the stop light on South Belt Highway to go eastbound on Highway 36. A white Ford F-350 pickup truck appeared to lose control, sliding in the back of the line of cars. It rear-ended a red Kia Sorrento, which then hit a Mercury Cougar, which then hit a PT Cruiser, which then hit the Mazda that was at the front of the line.
Eleven people were involved in the crash, though none suffered any serious injuries. One person, who was in the Kia Sorrento in the crash, was brought to the hospital in a private car after complaining of leg pain.
The Sorrento, because it was the first one hit, had the most damage in the accident. Only the PT Cruise and the Mazda – the last cars to be hit – were drivable after the crash.
Dangers of Multiple Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents are dangerous enough, but when more than two vehicles become involved, things get even worse. After two cars create the initial accident, they are often left vulnerable in the street. If additional vehicles are unable to avoid the wreck of the first accident, they can slam into it. While this crash near St. Joseph did not lead to any serious injuries, many multiple vehicle accidents do.
Difficulties of Multiple Vehicle Crashes
When more than two vehicles are involved in a crash, it often makes the accident far worse. However, each additional vehicle in the accident also makes it far more difficult to determine who was at fault. This is because every subsequent car that enters the wreck damages and moves the cars that are already in it. This makes it far more difficult for police and insurance personnel to see what happened. This makes them rely more on statements given by drivers or witnesses who saw the crash. This kind of evidence is much less reliable than pictures and diagrams that clearly show how the crash occurred.
St. Joseph Car Accident Attorneys at the Smith Law Office
When police have to rely on statements by drivers or witnesses to determine how a car accident happened, it often leads to people being blamed for something they didn’t do. Having an attorney from the Smith Law Office at your side, conducting an independent investigation into the crash can help to sort things out. The result can make a huge difference: If you’re found to be at fault for a multiple vehicle accident, you could be liable for the damage to numerous vehicles and the injuries suffered by anyone involved.
Contact our St. Joseph law office online or at (816) 875-9373.