MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT IN SARASOTA: HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS AT FAULT

Today in Sarasota, a multi-car accident involving 5 vehicles on Bee Ridge Road and Lockwood Ridge Road sent 6 people to the hospital.  Local news reports say the driver of a Jeep Cherokee pulled out of a gas station and blocked lanes on Bee Ridge Road.  Another driver in an SUV crashed into the Jeep and then veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on into a pickup truck.  One person was airlifted by Bayflite helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg because of severe injuries. 

In every multiple car accident, there is usually a chain reaction of blame.  Which driver started the accident?  Were other drivers at fault or driving negligently?  If you were rear ended and then crashed into the car in front of you, who's fault is that?  What if your car got pushed into oncoming traffic in another lane?  It's so complicated and convoluted that there's a ripple down of cause and effect and blame.  To get a better idea of how confusing these crashes are, read the details of this Sarasota accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol:

"Vehicle-1 was stopped in the driveway of the Sunoco Gas Station located at 3190 SR-758 (Bee Ridge Road) facing north. Vehicle-2 was traveling eastbound on SR-758 (Bee Ridge Road) in the left lane.Vehicle-3 was traveling westbound on SR-758 approaching the intersection of Lockwood Ridge Road in the left lane. Vehicle-4 was traveling westbound on SR-758 approaching the intersection of Lockwood Ridge Road in the center lane. Vehicle-5 was traveling westbound on SR-758 approaching the intersection of Lockwood Ridge Road in the right lane. The driver of Vehicle-1, (D-1) proceeded to make a left turn onto SR-758 in at attempt to travel west and stopped in the left eastbound travel lane. The front of Vehicle-2 struck the right front of Vehicle-1. Due to the impact of the collision Vehicle-2 rotated counter clockwise traveling northeast in the westbound lanes of SR-758. The Driver of Vehicle-3 observed Vehicle-2 and took evasive action and swerved into the center westbound travel lane of SR-758. The right front of Vehicle-2 struck the front of Vehicle-3. Due to the impact of the collision the right front of Vehicle-3 struck the left front and side of Vehicle-4. The right front of Vehicle-4 struck the left front of Vehicle-5. Vehicle-4 then traveled northwest on SR-758. The right side of Vehicle-3 struck the left side of Vehicle-5. Vehicle-5 struck a pedestrian crossing sign with its right front. Before coming to final rest the front of Vehicle-4 struck the rear of Vehicle-3. The Driver of Vehicle-2, (D-2) was ejected onto the roadway of SR-758 and was transported by Bayflite to Blake Medical Center. "

Anyone involved in a multiple car accident like this one should hire an attorney immediately.  Here are more reasons why:   

A TRAFFIC TICKET CAN'T BE USED AS EVIDENCE IN COURT

You can't depend on a police report or a traffic ticket to prove that another driver caused your injury.  Believe it or not, traffic citations issued by the police cannot be used as evidence in a civil trial.  It is your lawyer's job to determine who is at fault in a multi-car accident, not the police officer who was on the scene.  

WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

The other driver's insurance company knows that you cannot use a traffic ticket to show blame in a civil court.  The insurance company counts on the fact that you don't know that information.  That's why you need an independent investigation of the accident.  When you hire an accident attorney, that is the first thing they will do for your case.   Again, don't count on a police report or citation to make your case.  It won't work.

OTHER ACCIDENT VICTIMS CAN SUE YOU EVEN IF IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT

You could be badly hurt because of someone else's bad driving, but still end up getting sued by one of the other accident victims.  This happens all the time in multiple car accident cases.  Again, that's why you need an attorney who will conduct an independent investigation of the entire accident to show that you were not at fault.    

MULTI-CAR CRASHES CAUSE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES

When people get hurt in multiple vehicle accidents the injuries are usually much more severe than in typical crashes. Forces from different sides of the car are involved and can lead to very intense impacts on your body.  In a typical two car accident, it's clear who caused your injuries.  Fault gets more complicated when there are 3 or more other drivers involved.  That's when it's essential to hire a car accident attorney to help you fight back.  

Legal advice after a multi-car accident can make the difference if you face the possibility of huge medical expenses, lost work time, insurance increases, car repairs, and more.   The attorneys at Buckman and Buckman, P.A. are experienced in representing victims of multiple vehicle crashes. Let us evaluate your case to see how we can help you with the investigation and insurance issues.  Complete the form at the top of this page and we'll contact you shortly, or call our Sarasota law office at (941) 923-7700