Accidents involving more than two cars can be devastating. Multi-car accidents put drivers and passengers at risk for injury and death, especially in cases where one car is trapped between two others. With each point of impact, your risk for injury increases. Factors leading to car crashes involving more multiple vehicles are often similar to those that lead to one and two-car accidents, but there are a few to be aware of if you want to avoid getting hurt in a pileup. Here’s what to do.
Precautions to Take to Avoid Multi-Car Accidents
#1. Maintain distance between yourself and the car ahead of you. Some multi-car accidents happen because vehicles are too close together. When you’re too close to the car in front of you, you don’t have as much time to react in the event that they stop abruptly. Maintaining the proper distance between your car and the car in front of you can keep you from a rear end collision. If the vehicle in front of you is a truck or other heavy vehicle, this could save your life. While it’s true that you can’t prevent someone rear ending your car, you can reduce the damage to your vehicle and the possibility for injuries if you keep enough space in front of you.
#2. Move your vehicle to safety if you are in an accident with another vehicle. Two-car accidents can turn into multi-car accidents if you don’t move to safety, especially in high-speed, high-traffic areas. You should always turn on your hazard lights after an accident if they are still functional, but if you can’t move your car to a safer space, you should definitely turn on your hazard lights.
#3. Slow down if you see an accident ahead of you. Seeing an accident ahead of you could mean hazardous road conditions, such as debris. If you see an accident, immediately slow down or you could contribute to a pileup.
#4. Slow down in poor driving conditions. If it’s raining or the roads are slippery, adjust your speed and driving strategy to the situation. Poor visibility—for instance, when there is fog—can also lead to an accident. When in doubt, just slow down.
#5. Always drive defensively. Defensive driving can help you avoid collision and injury, especially when you are driving on the highway where speeds are faster. Stay alert, scan the road, and don’t drive distracted.
Multi-Car Accidents Happen. Get the Help You Need.
Sometimes you can’t avoid getting into an accident. If you were in a multi-car accident in Florida and need help recovering the damages, get in contact with Pacin and Levine Attorneys at Law to learn how. We will go over your case with you and work to get you the compensation that you need to recover from your injuries and pay for the damage to your property. Give us a call today at 1-800-24-7-CRASH (2727), or chat with us by clicking the icon in the lower right corner of your screen.
