Experienced Kansas City Multi-Car Accident Lawyers
Attorneys prepared to represent those injured in complex multi-vehicle collisions
Car accidents, including multi-vehicle crashes, are not uncommon on major highways such as I-435, I-70, I-35, and US-71, especially during rush hour or poor weather in the Kansas City metro area. These types of accidents can be very complex, as they often involve multiple plaintiffs and defendants, which can complicate matters.
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our skilled car accident lawyers understand how to handle these complex cases.
We work to show how the accident happened and which driver or drivers caused your injuries. We understand how to negotiate with multiple insurance companies. If necessary, we are skilled at persuasively arguing your multi-vehicle accident case to a jury. Contact us in Missouri or Kansas today to learn more about our services.
Table of contents
- What are the causes of multi-car accidents?
- Why multi-car accident cases are complicated
- Who can be liable in a multi-car crash?
- How is fault determined in Kansas City multi-vehicle accident cases?
- How comparative fault works in Missouri and Kansas
- Joint and several liability
- Statute of limitations in Kansas City multi-car accident claims
- Do you have a car accident injury attorney near me?
- Frequently asked questions
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What are the causes of multi-car accidents?
One of the leading causes of multi-car accidents is driver negligence, and sometimes, multi-vehicle wrecks are caused by a combination of driver negligence and outside forces, such as:
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Driving over the speed limit or too fast for the road conditions, tailgating, weaving between lanes, or sudden braking can make it so that cars around have no room or time to brake. This leads to accidents, potentially ones involving multiple vehicles.
- Distracted driving: Phone use, eating, adjusting the radio, or interacting with passengers takes attention away from the road.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most dangerous things a person can do, but it unfortunately continues to happen. Severe fatigue can also impair a person’s judgment and reaction time, leading to accidents.
- Bad weather: When the skies aren’t clear, it can be harder to control vehicles on the road. Snow, ice, heavy rain, and sudden Midwest storms can increase the risk of chain-reaction crashes, particularly on highways like I-435 and I-70.
- Road defects: Broken asphalt, careless roadwork, faded markings, and poor lighting or signage can all add confusion and lead to accidents.
- Defective or improperly maintained vehicle parts: Unexpected tire blowouts, faulty brakes, stuck accelerators, or faulty steering systems can contribute, especially if several cars are close together.
- Wildlife or other hazards: Crossing deer or lost cargo in the road may require drivers to react quickly, sometimes leading to unsafe choices.
- Sudden traffic jams: When traffic is moving as expected and then suddenly slows to a standstill, this can cause rear-end accidents. These may push that car into the car in front of them or next to them, causing multi-vehicle crashes.
- Rubbernecking: Drivers often slow down to look at crashes or other distractions on the road next to them. This can lead to stops without much warning, causing rear-end collisions that turn into multi-vehicle accidents.
- Vehicle blind spots: Changing lanes without properly checking blind spots can lead to collisions that quickly involve nearby cars.
Each multi-vehicle crash is usually caused by a few mistakes that come together at the perfectly wrong time, leading to these devastating situations.
Why multi-car accident cases are complicated
Car accident claims that involve more than one vehicle can be especially complicated to handle. Here’s why:
When one driver doesn’t have enough insurance
In some cases, there’s only one driver at fault. If they have a low policy limit, it’s unlikely that it will cover all of the damages for you and anyone else involved. This could lead to significant underpayment.
Multiple insurance companies and finger-pointing
When there’s more than two vehicles involved, it’s almost inevitable that insurance companies are going to point the finger at each other. They may both claim that their insured party didn’t cause the accident, which can significantly delay the outcome.
Commercial vehicles and employer liability
If a delivery truck or a business vehicle is in the mix, claims can get even more complex. Employers or companies may have bigger insurance policies, but they also usually have lawyers to fight these claims to avoid large payouts.
Determining fault in chain-reaction collisions
Determining what really happened is complicated when there’s more than two vehicles involved. There are likely to be conflicting stories from the drivers, and it may not be obvious to the untrained eye where the incident originated.
These crash cases can be complicated, which is why we suggest working with a personal injury lawyer. Our team is always available to help.
Who can be liable in a multi-car crash?
After a multi-car pileup, there are several different parties that could be responsible:
Other drivers
Most often, one or more drivers are held responsible. This can happen if they were speeding, following too closely, or made poor choices that began the pileup or made things worse as the accident unfolded.
Commercial trucking companies
When a commercial truck is part of the wreck, the trucking company itself could be on the hook, not just the driver. This can be for issues like poor training, forcing drivers to skip rest breaks, or failing to keep trucks properly maintained.
Employers (vicarious liability)
If someone crashes while driving for work, such as a delivery driver on the job, their employer may sometimes share legal liability. This is sometimes called "vicarious liability," meaning the employer is liable for harm done by their on-duty employee.
Government entities
In some crashes, unsafe roads play a big part. Whether it’s a hidden pothole that has been reported and not fixed, or a broken stoplight, when poor design or poor upkeep is to blame, city or state agencies can face claims.
Vehicle manufacturers
A blown tire or faulty brakes might be the real reason the crash happened or got worse. When a part failure plays a role, the vehicle or parts manufacturer could be liable for the incident.
Liability isn't always clear, and it's not unusual for more than one person or entity to be responsible to some degree.
How is fault determined in Kansas City multi-vehicle accident cases?
Fault in Kansas City multi-vehicle accident cases is figured out by looking at the actions of each driver and piecing together how the crash happened. Evidence comes in many forms, such as:
- Photos from the scene and positions of the vehicles involved
- Damage patterns on each car
- Written or recorded statements from drivers and eyewitnesses
- Traffic or surveillance camera footage nearby
- Skid marks or a lack of skid marks
- Your lawyer may decide to consult with accident reconstruction experts as well
Each driver may then be assigned a percentage of fault based on their role in causing the crash.
Example 1: Rear-end chain reaction
Driver A is speeding and rear-ends Driver B at a red light. The force pushes Driver B into Driver C.
In this situation, Driver A may be primarily responsible for the chain reaction. If Driver B was properly stopped and not negligent, Driver A may bear most or all of the liability.
Example 2: Shared fault scenario
Driver A makes an improper left-hand turn in front of Driver B. Driver B is distracted and does not react in time. After colliding, Driver B spins and strikes Driver C.
Here, the fault may be divided between Driver A and Driver B. Even though Driver C did nothing wrong, the first two drivers may share responsibility for the overall crash.
How comparative fault works in Missouri and Kansas
Missouri and Kansas both use comparative fault rules to decide how damages are awarded when more than one person shares blame for an accident. However, the way each state handles the rules makes a clear difference for anyone seeking compensation.
Missouri - pure comparative fault
In Missouri, you can recover damages no matter how much you were at fault, even if you were mostly to blame. The amount you receive is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault for an injury, your compensation drops by 20%. If you had $10,000 in damages, you could still collect $8,000.
Kansas - modified comparative fault (50% rule)
Kansas follows a stricter system. You are only allowed to recover damages if your share of fault is less than 50%. If you’re responsible for half or more of the accident, you can’t collect damages at all. If you’re 20% at fault and have $10,000 in losses, your award would be reduced to $8,000. If you’re found 51% or more at fault, recovery isn’t possible.
Understanding these laws is important for multi-vehicle accidents in which you may have contributed.
Joint and several liability
In addition to comparative negligence, it's critical to understand how joint and several liability works in each state.
Missouri
In Missouri, a defendant found 51% or more at fault may be held responsible for the full amount of the judgment under the state’s modified joint and several liability rule. For example, if one driver is 30% at fault and lacks insurance, and another driver is 70% at fault, the 70% driver may be required to satisfy the entire judgment and then seek contribution from the other driver.
Kansas
In Kansas, liability is limited to only each defendant, who will only be ordered to pay their percentage of fault.
Because the rules are so different, it's helpful to speak with a lawyer to ensure you're getting everything you are entitled to after an accident.
Statute of limitations in Kansas City multi-car accident claims
After a car accident, whether there’s one car involved or 20, there’s a deadline by which you must file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations, and if you miss this deadline, you’ll likely completely miss out on your chance to recover damages forever.
In Kansas City, Missouri, this deadline is generally 5 years from the date of the accident. There are sometimes exceptions that can extend or shorten this deadline, most often if a child is injured or a government entity is partially responsible for the accident. In cases against the government, there are usually very short notice deadlines.
Additionally, the deadline is different if your accident was in Kansas. In these cases, you have significantly less time; usually just 2 years. There could also be exceptions in these cases.
You should speak with a lawyer right away to determine if there are any exceptions and how much time you have.
Do you have a car accident injury attorney near me?
Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys is located at 510 Walnut Street, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64106, not far from City Hall. If you have questions about your case and want to know what to do next, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to answer questions in a free, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays in a multi-car accident?
Each at-fault driver’s insurance may pay for damages, based on their share of responsibility, but your own policy might need to cover your losses if some drivers lack enough coverage.
Can multiple drivers be sued?
Yes, you can sue any driver who shares fault for the crash, not just one person.
What if one driver flees the scene?
If a driver leaves without stopping, your uninsured motorist coverage can help, and police should be notified right away.
How is fault determined in a chain-reaction crash?
Police, insurance companies, and sometimes courts look at evidence like witness statements, crash scene photos, and impact points to determine how the accident happened and who started the pileup.
Can I still recover compensation if I was rear-ended but pushed into another car?
Yes, you can often still recover because responsibility may be split among drivers depending on who caused each part of the crash.
Injured in a multi-vehicle accident? Our Kansas City car accident lawyers are ready to help
Have you been injured in a crash in Kansas City, Missouri, or somewhere nearby? We can help. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our car accident lawyers handle the tough cases. We are skilled at investigating accidents, showing how they happened, determining who should be held accountable, and showing just how life-changing your injuries are.
We represent families when a loved one tragically dies in a multi-car accident or accidents involving one or two vehicles. To discuss your rights, call us, begin a live chat today, or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.