The Risks of Multiple-Vehicle Accidents

 Posted on November 15, 2022 in Personal Injury

Five people reportedly suffered injuries in a three-vehicle accident near Grand Rapids that involved a Chevrolet Impala trying to change lanes, striking another vehicle, and then crossing into the opposite lane and hitting a GMC pickup truck. The car accident injuries reportedly ranged from minor to critical.

Just days after that story, a list of the 20 most dangerous intersections in Michigan in 2021 was released that featured two intersections in Grand Rapids: United States Route 131 (US 131) and Wealthy Street ranked fifth, and Franklin Street Southwest and US 131 ranked 18th. The 134 total car crashes at US 131 and Wealthy Street marked a 17.5 percent increase from the 114 in 2020 and almost a 9 percent increase from the 123 in 2019 with injuries increasing from 18 in 2019 to 23 in 2020 to 26 in 2021.

Common Causes of Multiple-Vehicle Accidents

The bottom line to multiple-vehicle accidents remains that more damage will always be possible in these cases because your own vehicle could be struck by more than one other vehicle, and such collisions increase the possible amounts of damage to cars. One of the most common questions following any multiple-vehicle crash is to wonder why and how an accident happened.

In most cases, a collision involving multiple automobiles stems from one driver’s negligence. The one act of negligence can be enough to impact more than one other driver.

Some of the most common forms of negligence that can cause multiple-vehicle accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Speeding — Many drivers in Grand Rapids are exceeding posted speed limits, but the risk to not driving the legal limit is always that people will not have enough time to come to complete stops in cases of emergencies. Speeding drivers are more likely to collide with any driver who stops suddenly.
• Distraction — As cell phones have become a more inherent part of regular lives, many people struggle to put down their phones while driving. Texting or talking on a cell phone is one of the most common kinds of distractions causing automobile accidents all over Michigan, and a personal injury lawyer knows how to prove somebody was using a cell phone at the time of a crash.
• Intoxication — More commonly at night, multiple-vehicle crashes often involve drivers who were legally intoxicated and in violation of state drunk driving laws.
• Driver Fatigue — We commonly associate drowsy driving as being a problem more endemic to truck driving, but the truth is that all motorists are susceptible to bouts of fatigue and may be trying to fight off sleepiness urges while behind the wheel. Anybody who is not well-rested is more likely to suffer from delayed responses, increasing the chances of a wreck.
• Reduced Visibility — Whether it is inclement weather conditions or some other factor that is impacting how well people can see roads, all drivers become put at risk.

Contact a Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer

If you suffered serious injuries or your loved one was killed in a multiple-vehicle accident in the Grand Rapids area, make sure you have legal representation for assistance recovering as much financial compensation as possible. The Kent County car accident attorneys at John D. Tallman, PLC, Attorney at Law understand how to tackle these cases and will know how to fight to help you prove your case in court. 

Our firm can immediately step in and deal with the insurance company for you so that you can focus on making a physical recovery. Call 616-361-8850 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. 

Sources: 

https://www.woodtv.com/news/ottawa-county/4-injured-in-crash-on-lake-michigan-drive-near-grand-rapids/

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/11/08/heres-a-look-at-michigans-most-dangerous-intersections-based-on-2021-police-car-accident-reports/

https://www.michiganautolaw.com/legal-resources/most-dangerous-intersections/