Tag Archives: multi car accident

California’s Dangerous Rural Roads

28 September
2021

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that while the pandemic caused Americans to drive less in 2020, statistics show increased crash fatalities. The NHTSA also found that accidents in California occur at higher percentages than in other states.

Many of California’s car accidents happen on rural roadways and there are many reasons why these roads are dangerous. Below are some of the hazards of rural road conditions. If you take these roads, it’s essential to know this information because it will help you seek damages if you are injured.

Rural Road Dangers

City streets pose inherent dangers. The sheer amount of distractions – cyclists, pedestrians, and cars switching lanes – can contribute to car accidents. Rural roads, although not as populated, pose their own dangers.

  • Decreased Law Enforcement Presence – Some drivers may feel encouraged to speed or drive more recklessly than usual if they know the police won’t stop them.
  • Decreased Visibility – A driver’s visibility is reduced because there aren’t many streetlights. Natural conditions such as fog or dirt can also lower visibility which increases the risk for collisions.
  • Poor Road Maintenance – Rural roads present different challenges for vehicles. There may be more potholes and cracks that a driver must avoid. Road signs may also be missing, increasing the chances that a driver might stop short, reverse when they aren’t supposed to, or make quick turns.
  • Spotty Cell Phone Service – Cell phone coverage is not as strong in rural areas. That means that contacting help in the event of an emergency could be trying.
  • Longer Emergency Response Time – If you successfully contact emergency services, there may be a longer wait time for help to arrive. These rural roads can be far from populated centers, which increases the length of time emergency vehicles need to drive. Plus, low visibility and other factors may also increase travel times.

With all these aspects of rural road dangers, negligent drivers put themselves and others at risk. Some common causes of rural accidents include:

  • Speeding – More people tend to speed on rural roads due to the lack of law enforcement and posted speed limit signs. This can be dangerous as drivers may not be prepared for sharp turns that require them to slow down.
  • Reckless driving – Reckless driving is hazardous on narrow rural roads, many of which lack shoulders or guardrails and have unpredictable curves.
  • Driving While Intoxicated – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs slows response times.
  • Debris – Rural roads have more cracks and potholes than city streets. There can be tree limbs, trash, and other objects on the road that haven’t been cleared.
  • Bad weather – Rain, wind, fog, and ice all contribute to hazardous driving conditions. Recent wildfires have also created heavy smoke that can impact driving conditions.

Contact an Experienced Attorney

An experienced auto accident attorney like Dan Rose Law can help if you’ve been involved in a rural car accident. You can contact our attorneys at 415-946-8900 or at Dan Rose Law to schedule a free consultation.

How to know who is at fault in a multi-car

22 May
2021

Under California law, the party responsible for causing a car collision (person at fault) will be accountable for compensating for losses and damages. In many car accidents, liability is only between two drivers. The fault will go to the driver that broke a roadway law and caused the collision. However, in a multi-car crash, fault and liability can be more challenging to determine.

Let’s explore differences in assessing fault indifferent scenarios …

Three Car Collisions

In a three-car collision, the fault will go to the driver who initially broke the law and caused a chain collision involving other cars. Even if the second car had to violate a rule for the driver’s safety and the safety of others, the fault would fall back on the initial driver and vehicle that triggered the accident.

What about a multi-car collision or “pileup?”

A multi-car pileup is trying and traumatic for all parties involved and it is also challenging determining fault and liability.

A multi-car pileup is a crash including and affecting numerous vehicles, drivers, and passengers (who may have sustained injuries due to the crash’s impact).

These unfortunate large-scale collisions are complex to litigate. Multiple drivers may yield fault for a multi-car accident, or one driver may be deemed responsible for everyone else’s damages. Understanding what happened can be difficult. Each driver may have a different account of the events, and all may deny fault.

Several other factors play a part in determining fault and liability…

Can dash-cam footage be valuable and is it legal?

The short answer is “mostly,” although because dash cams are also equipped with audio recordings, the driver must post a visible notice (a sticker or sign that doesn’t pose a hazard to other drivers) informing passengers that they are being recorded. If the passenger protests to their audio being utilized, then the dash-cam audio must be turned off, but the remaining video footage is still permissible when determining fault (even in court). Footage can be beneficial in determining liability. This also applies to rear and front bumper cameras (should the vehicle be equipped with them).

*It is important to note: The dash-cam footage may also be used against you should something be discovered, placing you at fault for a portion or all of the accident.

Are there any potential witnesses present?  

Another essential tool in assessing cause and fault in a multi-car crash is witnesses.

Witnesses (who weren’t involved in the collision) are critical in any car accident, but especially in a multi-car pileup. Witnesses are unbiased observers and likely will base their statements and descriptions on precisely what they observed. Drivers involved in the accident generally are vested in denying blame.

Suppose several witnesses at the scene of the accident corroborate each other. In this instance, the chain of events and initial wrongdoing is established and confirmed when it may have otherwise been difficult to verify and work through.

It is imperative to get the information (when possible) of bystanders involved that may later become witnesses helping to recount and determine liability. Collect contact information of potential witnesses and take notes, so long as you are able.

Witnesses can offer decisive information to the accident report, to the insurance companies assigned with the task of determining what percentage of liability each driver holds, and your attorney.

Call the police right away.

Lastly, but most importantly, call the police right away. The police will write the crash report and pay close attention to the facts involved. Additionally, police take photos, review video surveillance footage (like traffic cameras where available), and gather detailed information.

What should you do if you are injured in a multi-car accident?

Regardless of the severity of your injuries, it is wise to seek medical attention following an accident. Adrenaline may mask some of your symptoms and it is prudent to document any conditions right away in case you need to file a claim later on.

You may be entitled to financial recovery for injuries or property damages. You’ll want someone to advocate for your best interests and the best possible outcome for your case and our team of experienced car accident attorneys at The Law Office of Daniel H. Rose are here to help you do just that. If you have been involved in a multi-car accident, call us today at 415-496-8900.