Chain reaction accidents are a type of accident where one accident causes another to happen, which in turn causes another accident to happen. These accidents involve three or more vehicles and often occur as a series of accidents. A typical scenario is when one driver loses control of their vehicle and it collides with another, which in turn causes a third to crash.
The law regarding chain reaction accidents is still developing, but some states hold drivers liable for all vehicles involved, while others only hold drivers liable for the vehicles they directly hit.
Let us now see into the main causes of chain reaction accidents.
1. Aggressive or reckless driving
Aggressive or reckless driving plays a great role in chain reaction accidents. This means that when you are driving aggressively and want to overtake another car, you could be the one who causes an accident. For example, a chain reaction accident takes place when you try to take a turn much quicker than what is allowed, and in doing so, you cause another driver to unexpectedly make the same maneuver and crash with your vehicle.
2. Speeding
Speeding also causes chain reaction accidents. Driving too fast for a specific road condition is a major cause of accidents as other drivers cannot react fast enough to prevent crashes. Speeding also affects the reaction time of other drivers.
3. Bad weather conditions
Bad weather conditions like rain, snow, and especially fog can cause chain reaction accidents. These conditions make it hard for drivers to see each other on the road and are more likely to crash with another car.
4. Distracted driving
Distracted driving can also be considered a cause of chain reaction accidents because it distracts you from having full focus on the road. In fact, distractions such as texting while driving, eating or drinking, and using your mobile phone are major causes of chain reaction accidents that could lead to fatalities.
5. Mechanical issues
Mechanical issues like engine issues, transmission problems, and malfunctioning brakes are all major causes of chain reaction accidents. If a vehicle is experiencing such problems, it will be hard to drive safely and within the speed limit. This increases the risk of having an accident, which in turn can lead to a chain reaction accident.
6. Tailgating
Tailgating is the act of driving too closely behind another vehicle. It is a dangerous and aggressive driving behavior that can lead to accidents. Tailgating can also cause anxiety and stress for the driver being tailgated. Tailgating is a major factor in rear-end collisions, which account for up to 29% of all accidents. In 2020, there were over 1 million rear-end crashes in the United States, resulting in over 2,800 fatalities and over 2.3 million injuries.
Determining who is at fault for chain reaction accidents can be a challenging task. Therefore, it is best to hire accident lawyers from the Law Office of James T. Ponton, LLC, to investigate the accident and determine fault. Many chain reaction accidents can be avoided through proper driver safety, such as wearing seatbelts, not drinking or texting while driving, and not driving during times of high traffic.