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What to Do After a Multi-Car Pileup in Wyoming

By stladmin on November 8, 2021

Wyoming weather is changeable, with heavy rains, snow, and icy roadways a common issue. Weather conditions, or negligent driving conduct, can trigger an accident involving many vehicles, with serious injuries. A multi-care pileup leads to vehicles that rear-end others, with a domino effect. A Campbell County rear-end collision, sideswipe, or other impact can leave a driver and their passengers with serious or even fatal injuries.

Causes of Multi-Car Pileups in Wyoming

Several road conditions and types of driving conduct can be the cause of a multi-car pileup on the highways, streets, and roads in Wyoming, including:

• A vehicle driver is distracted and fails to notice the vehicles ahead have come to a sudden stop.
• Icy, rainy, or snowy road surfaces cause a vehicle to be unable to come to a stop rapidly, leading to a series of accidents.
• A speeding driver takes dangerous risks, is unable to stop, and hits the vehicles ahead, or in another lane, leading a multi-car accident.
• A drunk or drug intoxicated driver is driving recklessly, causing a multi-car pileup.
• A vehicle operator fails to see a car ahead is stopped at a stop sign or stoplight, hits the vehicle, shoving it into an intersection where other vehicles are involved.

Who is at Fault?

After a multi-car collision, law enforcement will perform a full investigation. They will evaluate the positions of the vehicles, the damage to each vehicle, skid marks, and interview eyewitnesses and those involved in the crash. The driver that failed to operate their vehicle in a safe manner will be determined and held liable. In most rear-end accidents, the driver behind is held liable, but in a multi-vehicle pileup, the situation is different, as a vehicle can be shoved into another ahead in the incident, rather than by driving in a negligent manner. The drivers in the vehicles shoved forward in the impact may not be considered responsible for the collision.

Wyoming Law: Negligence and Liability

In Wyoming, as in other states, drivers are considered to have a “duty of care.” This duty is essentially to operate a vehicle in a manner that does not put others at risk. When a driver has been found to violate (breach) the duty of care, and due to the breach, is the proximate cause of injuries, and caused damages, that driver is considered negligent, and can be held liable. When more than one driver was responsible, damages can still be pursued if the fault of one driver is deemed to have been more than 50 percent responsible for what occurred.

Compensation – What Damages can be Sought?

The damages that can be pursued through a claim or lawsuit include:

• Economic damages – The losses associated with the cost of medical care and treatment, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and other actual financial losses.
• Non-economic damages – These damages reflect the impact on the individual, such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, emotional anguish, and others.

How to Avoid a Multi-Car Pileup

In some cases, it is impossible to avoid a multi-car pileup, but specific driving actions could save you and your passengers from the risk of serious injuries.

• Always leave distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
• Pay attention to the road ahead, without distractions, particularly cellphone use, eating, or adjusting your in-vehicle systems while in motion.
• If you see a driver nearby who is speeding, driving dangerously, or recklessly, pull over or drop back as far as you can, safely.
• In harsh weather conditions, slow down, and leave a longer distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

Contact Our a Gillette Car Accident Lawyer

At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., our Gillette auto accident attorneys take on cases of serious injury in multi-car accident cases. When we take on a client, the case has the full support of our legal team, and we are committed to helping our clients achieve justice and full compensation.

Call today at (307) 257-7800 to discuss your case.