A secondary car accident is a crash that occurs after a primary car accident. Secondary collisions can happen due to various reasons such as distraction when looking at the primary accident, brief inattention in stop-and-go traffic, or drivers making dangerous maneuvers trying to pass the accident scene. There may also be debris on the road and drivers might swerve trying to avoid objects or people. Other causes of secondary accidents can include:

• Tailgating
• Stopped or stalled vehicles
• Sudden stopping
• Sideswiping

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), secondary car accidents usually cause impacts to either other cars or road barriers. Secondary car accidents can cause horrific injuries as well as considerable property damage. If you are affected by a secondary car crash that was not your fault, contact the Labrum Law Firm to find out more about your legal rights and whether you could pursue compensation at (615) 338-9500.

Injuries in Secondary Car Accidents

Secondary car accidents can lead to incapacitating, catastrophic, or even fatal injuries depending on the intensity of impact and whether vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Injuries occurring in secondary car accidents can include:

• Head injuries such as traumatic brain injury
• Chest and abdominal injuries
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries
• Dislocations
• Knee injuries
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Fractures
• Nerve damage
• Lacerations and burns
• Limb amputations

According to the NCBI, a secondary accident can increase the risk of serious vehicle occupant injury by a factor of 3.5. If you experienced serious injuries after a secondary car accident, and another driver's negligence is to blame, consider consulting with the Labrum Law Firm as soon as possible.

The Costs of Secondary Accidents

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents cost the country $44 billion in medical expenses and work losses each year. For an accident victim and their family, suffering serious injuries in a car accident can cause financial hardship for years to come. Permanent disability or long-term injury can have a dramatic impact on a victim's life, leaving them unable to return to work or lead an independent life. In such cases, working with an experienced car accident attorney can help with pursuing justice and fighting for comprehensive compensation.

The Complexity of Secondary Car Accidents

Secondary car accident lawsuits can be particularly challenging to prove and litigate, especially if they involve multiple vehicles and potentially multiple at-fault parties. Although one driver might be ultimately responsible, many damaged cars and a number of injured individuals can make a claim challenging to understand and analyze. Proving who is ultimately responsible for the accident can be complex and may require a considerable amount of research, technical knowledge, an independent investigation as well as the assistance of accident reconstruction professionals as well as other expert witnesses.

Proving Negligence in Secondary Car Accidents

In order to have a claim and pursue compensation in a secondary car accident, a victim has to prove the negligence of the at-fault driver. An experienced car accident attorney can help to gather the evidence needed to prove a driver's negligence. In a personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff and their attorney will aim to prove the following elements:

• The defendant had a duty of care
• They breached that duty
• The accident and the victim's injuries are a direct result of the breach
• The plaintiff has damages such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage or pain and suffering

A victim will also need to offer concrete proof of their damages in order to have a chance for recovering compensation. This can include medical reports, evidence of property damage, receipts for out-of-pocket costs, and other proof. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries and damage to your car in a secondary crash, a car accident lawyer at Labrum Law Firm can help prove your claim and damages.

Compensation in Secondary Car Accident Claims

If you suffered significant injuries in a secondary collision, and someone else is responsible, you could recover both economic as well as non-economic damages, depending on the extent of your injuries and property damage. Economic damages should reimburse you for any costs incurred with your car accident. Examples of economic damages could include:

• Past, present, and future medical costs
• Lost income and lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Household services
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Depending on your individual claim, you could also be entitled to non-economic damages. While non-economic damages can be subjective as they do not normally come with an easily identifiable or set dollar value, they could make up a significant portion of a settlement for those who suffered incapacitating injuries. Non-economic damages can include:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Permanent disability
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Loss of life enjoyment

Depending on your injuries and other factors, you could potentially recover other or additional types of compensation. In certain cases, when another car driver acted particularly recklessly and willfully caused your accident and injuries, you could receive punitive damages in addition to compensation.

How Labrum Law Firm Can Fight for Justice on Your Behalf

Secondary car accident claims can be challenging to litigate, especially when they include multiple-vehicle pile-ups. Accident victims who are tempted to go it alone frequently underestimate the amount of research, legal knowledge, and technical expertise that may be required to prove their claim and hold a negligent driver legally responsible. If you suffered considerable damages and injuries in a secondary car accident claim, you do not have to struggle by yourself. The Labrum Law Firm can help you with all aspects of your claim, including gathering the necessary evidence for proving the fault of the other driver. We can also determine what your claim is worth by calculating your damages accurately.

Additionally, since not all personal injury claims make it to trial, we can negotiate with the liable driver's insurance to aim for a comprehensive settlement that covers all your damages now and in the future. If your claim goes all the way to trial, we can be by your side, represent your best interests, and fight tirelessly for what you deserve. If you suffered injuries and financial losses due to another driver's careless or reckless driving, you deserve justice. Call our legal team today at the Labrum Law Firm to find out how we could help you: (615) 338-9500.