September 2026 has been an eventful month for vehicle accidents, especially multi-vehicle ones. In San Gabriel, a big rig truck collided with three other vehicles. The accident resulted in one fatality, and two people needed immediate medical attention.
Three vehicles and a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) truck were injured in a crash that affected a total of seven people. According to eyewitnesses, the fire truck was enroute to an emergency when it swerved out of the way and collided with 3 parked cars before lodging itself in front of a sports bar. A resident of the area said that someone raced to get across the light when they noticed the sirens.
The average car accident can be complicated to process, but a multi-vehicle accident, especially those involving government and/or commercial vehicles, proves to be much more complicated. Partnering with truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles like Vaziri Law, LLP, can help you investigate your case and secure fair compensation for your injuries.
The Average Car Accident
The average car accident is straightforward as it typically involves two parties who exchange information and provide evidence to their respective attorneys/insurers. They then use the evidence to determine who had what percentage of fault and negotiate a proper settlement for each party. Most car accident negotiations are resolved within a few months, unless there are complex factors such as commercial vehicles, government vehicles, or disputed liability.
How Fault is Determined
In a car accident, fault is determined by examining the evidence and figuring out if the people involved were behaving in a reasonable manner by driving at or slightly below the speed limit, adhering to traffic signs and lights, and operating a vehicle without impairment. If an investigation shows that one of the people involved was acting in a negligent manner by not conducting themselves in a reasonable manner, they can be held liable for most of the accident.
Call our personal
injury lawyers today
Complications with Multi-Vehicle Accidents
The process of reporting and investigating a multi-vehicle accident is similar to the average car accident. The main difference is the number of people who are involved and the chances of someone being severely injured increase.
This also makes determining fault difficult. In these cases, the vehicle that triggers the pile-up may not be at fault. This makes evidence a crucial part of the investigation. For example, in the case involving the fire truck, the eyewitness testimony about a car speeding to avoid a red light after they noticed the fire truck implies deliberate negligence.
Complications with Government Vehicles
In accidents involving government vehicles, there are special rules that apply when filing a case. The government has “sovereign immunity”. This means it cannot be liable for a legal wrong in a civil suit; however, in personal injury cases, the government can be held liable if the employee was found negligent. A key difference between an accident with the average vehicle and a government vehicle is that clients have six months to file a case before it’s considered void.
Complications with Commercial Vehicles
In accidents involving a commercial vehicle, finding fault becomes more complicated. Not only do investigators need to determine who is at fault by using evidence from each vehicle involved, but they must also consider that a commercial vehicle could’ve malfunctioned or a truck was loaded improperly. These oversights can make someone who wasn’t involved at the scene a liable party.
Potential liable parties in a commercial vehicle accident include:
- Maintenance/repair workers
- Truck owners/operators
- Manufacturer
- Cargo loaders
Common Reasons for Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Multi-vehicle accidents happen for multiple reasons and can involve cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Common reasons why accidents happen are:
- Tailgating
- Sudden stops/Brake checking in heavy traffic
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Road hazards
How to Investigate a Multi-Car Accident
Investigating a multi-car accident isn’t straight–forward. In many of these cases, the cause of the accident is not apparent until the evidence is collected and analyzed by experts. The following evidence must be collected to begin an investigation:
- Surveillance footage. Footage from traffic cameras, local businesses, or even homes can provide investigators with information that points towards the cause of the accident.
- Dashcam footage. Having the driver’s point of view can provide additional information that can be used to verify the driver’s testimony.
- Photos. Taking photos of the accident site, including, vehicle damage, surrounding locations, and road conditions can help experts verify everyone’s stories.
- Witness testimony. Witnesses can offer additional insights into accidents, so it’s best to get their contact information after asking if they’d be comfortable providing their account.
- Police report. In a multi-vehicle crash, emergency services will be called. Obtain a copy of the police report to give to your attorney.
- Black box. In accidents involving a commercial vehicle, it’s important to file a spoilation letter to preserve evidence. This black box provides insight into driver behaviors, such as speeding, braking, and location.
Accident Reconstruction
With all the collected evidence, an accident reconstructionist can recreate the accident to verify everyone’s account. These specialists are well-versed in vehicle dynamics and use their expert knowledge, paired with 3D-modeling, to recreate the conditions that caused the accident in the first place. They also rely on studies of human behavior to determine if the driver’s reaction to the incoming collision aligns with how drivers typically respond.
Together, this helps determine which parties acted reasonably and which ones were negligent in action.
Serious Injuries Become Common
In the average accident, the involved parties usually experience one initial hit that can result in various injuries. In a multi-vehicle collision, cars collide with each other multiple times, resulting in serious injuries such as:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
In these cases, the chances of victims becoming permanently disabled and experiencing long-term chronic pain significantly increases. Learn how you can start recovering compensation for these damages by speaking to truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles.
personal injury lawyer
get a free consultation
FAQ
How Many Drivers Can I File a Claim Against?
You can file a claim against all the parties who contributed to the accident. If there is evidence assigning fault to someone, you can file a case against them.
What Damages Can I Recover in This Case?
Any economic and non-economic damages can be recovered after an investigation. The percentage you can be compensated for depends on the amount of fault you contributed to the accident. For example, if the evidence determines you were responsible for 35% of the damages, you can file to recover 65% of your compensation.
Do I Need a Police Report for a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
Yes. Even if you don’t call the police, someone will, due to the sheer size of a multi-vehicle accident. Having a police report is important as it documents involved drivers, witnesses, car positions, weather, and other important details that can help in an investigation.
What Determines the Severity of a Multi-Car Accident?
Speed, car size, and how and where cars collide all determine how severe a car accident can be to the involved parties.
What if Someone Dies in an Accident?
If someone dies during an accident caused by negligence, the surviving family may file a wrongful death case against the surviving parties.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
In this case, you likely do. Multi-car accidents can be complicated to navigate for even experienced attorneys, so navigating one without legal expertise is not recommended. A truck attorney in Los Angeles can help negotiate in your stead and get you the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
Most truck accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay any upfront costs. However, we collect a percentage, between 30 and 40 percent, of your winnings if we win your case.
When Should I Go to a Lawyer?
It’s recommended to see a lawyer within the first 48 hours after an accident. The sooner you visit an attorney, the better your chances of preserving evidence becomes.
What if I Don’t Have Insurance?
You may file a case, but your lack of insurance will cause some problems with the other drivers and the law.
What If I Have Insurance and Another Driver Doesn’t?
The other driver will face some legal fines due to their lack of insurance. You, on the other hand, will have to dip into your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UI/UIM) coverage to get some compensation. Fortunately, this insurance plan is added into every single California auto insurance plan by default, unless you rejected it in writing. Contract your insurance company to verify you have UI\UIM coverage.
How Can I Protect Myself During an Accident?
Accidents are often preventable, but sometimes they happen. In the chance that you’re involved in one, the best thing to do is be prepared. Keep your seatbelt on, make sure your airbags work, and that you have proper insurance coverage.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Multi-car accidents can be traumatizing, especially when they involve trucks and other large vehicles. If you find yourself in need of assistance from truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles, contact Vaziri Law today! Our attorneys serve clients all over Los Angeles, and we’re available 24/7. Contact us today to learn more!
