A Sugar Land police officer was critically injured in a multiple-car accident on Sunday, March 20, 2022. The officer had parked in the emergency lane on Southwest Freeway 90A to block an accident that involved a driver hitting one of the inside walls of the highway after hitting debris and losing control of the vehicle. While the officer was in his parked patrol car, a pickup truck crashed into him after the truck was hit by a woman in another vehicle. Both the pickup truck driver and the woman were treated for injuries.

Multi-Car Accidents in Sugar Land, Texas

Multiple car accidents, like the one described above, are some of the most catastrophic motor vehicle accidents. These accidents often result in severe and life-changing injuries. If you were injured in a multi-car accident (sometimes called a pile-up, multi-vehicle, or chain-reaction accident) in Sugar Land, you should reach out to experienced personal injury attorney Adam Capetillo. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. These cases are often complicated, and you will need help from an attorney who understands how to deal with multiple car accidents.

Common Causes of Multiple Car Accidents in Sugar Land

Below are some common causes of multiple-vehicle accidents in Sugar Land, Texas.

• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Distracted driving
• Vehicle malfunction
• Driving under the influence
• Bad weather
• Poor road conditions

Who is At Fault in A Multiple Car Accident in Sugar Land?

Because multiple car accidents involve at least three, and often more, vehicles, it can be challenging to determine who was at fault. In addition to other drivers, passengers, trucking companies, vehicle parts manufacturers, cargo loaders, roadway maintenance crews, and others may be liable. It is critical to have an experienced Sugar Land car accident lawyer thoroughly investigate the case.

Often there can be a combination of causes in a multi-vehicle accident, and severally parties may be partially at fault. For example, a speeding driver on Highway 59 rear-ends the car in front of them. The car following is texting and doesn’t stop in time and crashes into the speeding driver.

If more than one person is at fault and you cannot establish with reasonable certainty whose actions led to your loss, the court may hold all the wrongdoers jointly and severally liable for all your damages. This allows you to file a claim for the full value of your damages with any one of the at-fault parties. The defendant that pays out your claim can try and recoup some of the money from the other at-fault parties. After you collect the full value of your claim, you cannot seek more compensation from other negligent parties. This is called the “one satisfaction rule.”

What If You Are Partially At Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?

Texas has a modified comparative fault system. This law states that you cannot make a claim if you are 51% or more at fault. If you are 50% or less at fault, you can still file a claim for your injuries and property damage, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault in a multiple car accident in Sugar Land, you will only be able to recover 80% of the total value of your claim.

What To Do If in a Multiple Car Accident in Sugar Land?

If you were injured in a multiple-vehicle accident in Sugar Land, you should reach out to a qualified attorney, like Adam Capetillo, shortly after receiving emergency medical care. If you are incapacitated, a concerned loved one, like your spouse, can reach out for help. Though the police will investigate the accident, they are conducting a criminal investigation. They are not concerned about your possible personal injury claim. The police report can influence your legal claim, but it may overlook evidence that directly impacts your case. We recommend you do not discuss your case with insurance companies before you have talked with a personal injury lawyer.

Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the scene of the accident, interview the other drivers, and examine all the relevant evidence. After their investigation, your lawyer will calculate an appropriate settlement and negotiate with the insurance companies and other parties on your behalf. If necessary, they will passionately defend your case in court. Having an aggressive personal injury lawyer on your side will ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

Your Sugar Land Personal Injury Attorney

Adam Capetillo is an experienced Sugar Land attorney passionate about representing the interests of his clients. If you or a loved one has been injured in a multiple car accident, please call our office today at (346) 249-5544 to schedule a free consultation.