Multi-car pileups can be much more catastrophic than other types of accidents because so many cars can be involved. Vehicles can strike an individual's vehicle multiple times and can often lead to fatalities. If your loved one passed away as a result of a pileup, you have every right to seek compensation if you are a spouse, offspring, or parent of the deceased. However, determining who is at fault can be challenging.

What Happens During a Typical Pileup?

With a typical pileup, the lead car comes to a stop. The second car usually stops in time but is rear-ended by a third car. In this scenario, the third car is usually considered at fault. If the second car hits the first car initially, this is usually because it was tailgating, speeding, or not paying attention. In that case, the second car may be considered mostly at fault.

How Can You Find Help Proving Fault?

If you are having a difficult time determining who should be at fault for the pileup, contact a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. In some cases, the courts may consider that multiple parties behaved negligently and contributed to the pileup. For example, more than one driver might have been speeding. A motorist might have tested positive for drug use. The fourth car in the pileup might have been driving too close. There are several other factors that can complicate your case.

To determine who is at fault, you'll need help from law enforcement. They will gather data from the scene of the accident and are trained to analyze complex accidents. The law enforcement officer will produce a report that you can use to determine fault using physics and computer modeling.

How Do You Calculate Damages?

After you have determined who is at fault, you must calculate the damages that you suffered. If your loved one was hospitalized for the crash before passing away, you may have had to pay for medical bills. You will also deserve compensation for any pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the death of your loved one. There are other possible damages, such as loss of consortium, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, loss of guidance, and lost wages. To make sure that your loved one faces the justice that they deserve, it's important to calculate all of your damages properly with the help of a wrongful death attorney.

Reach out to a wrongful death attorney to learn more.