Many car crashes are caused by negligence and inattention. Some of the most common car accidents are rear-end collisions because drivers are texting, changing the radio station or otherwise not paying attention and fail to see that the car in front of them has stopped. These collisions are sometimes minor, resulting in only a small amount of damage to the vehicles. Other times, however, they can set off a chain-reaction of collisions or cause serious injuries.
Three vehicles were recently involved in a car accident in Vernon County, Missouri. The accident began with a rear-end collision: A 20-year-old driver of an SUV crashed into the rear of a vehicle driven by a 66-year-old man who was attempting to turn left into a driveway. A second crash occurred when the SUV then crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle containing two 72-year-olds. All four people were taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries.
Drivers of automobiles are required by law to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. This is designed to protect other drivers who may be injured or suffer property damage from an accident caused by another person. In some cases, however, the minimum coverage carried by a driver may be insufficient to cover the actual costs. This is frequently the case in multi-car collisions that result in extensive damage to the vehicles and injuries to several people.
Even when a driver has adequate coverage, the severity of the accident may warrant additional compensation. This could occur when an injured person is unable to work for a significant period of time, when long-term or permanent treatment is required, or when someone is killed in an accident. In these kinds of accidents, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary to hold the responsible party accountable for his or her actions and provide more appropriate compensation to the victims.
Source: Joplin Globe, “Four motorists hurt in three-vehicle crash in Vernon County,” May 16, 2014