Columbus, GA, Interstate Pileup Attorneys

You Need a Winner in Your Corner After an Interstate Pileup Accident in Columbus, GA

A multi-vehicle pileup is one of the most frightening things that can happen when you’re on the road. These accidents are very dangerous, and they cause catastrophic injuries. Victims require time to heal and first-rate medical treatment to recover. You may also be in need of counseling to address serious emotional trauma.

Interstate 185 runs directly through Columbus, Georgia. Getting the compensation you deserve after a pileup accident can be challenging because these accidents are complicated, and you may have to deal with several parties at once. It’s important to find a Columbus car accident attorney who has experience with these types of cases and knows how to win. That’s where Butler Prather LLP comes in.

Butler Prather LLP has been getting justice for accident victims in Columbus, GA, for over 35 years. We’ll investigate the pileup collision and file a claim or a lawsuit against anyone who is responsible for your injuries.

Our firm has won settlements and verdicts for clients in over 30 states. We’ve won nine verdicts that exceed $100 million and more than 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.

Call (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.

What Is an Interstate Pileup Accident?

An interstate pileup, which may also be referred to as a multi-vehicle collision, is when three or more vehicles crash into each other on the highway. When a pileup happens, it may cause a chain reaction of crashes as the accident continues to grow.

Pileups are especially treacherous in low-visibility weather conditions, as vehicles traveling at high speeds often don’t see the pileup until it’s too late. These accidents lead to severe injuries, and people who get stuck in a pileup may also experience PTSD.

In 2002, a massive pileup on Interstate 75 south near the Georgia-Tennessee border shut down traffic in both states for several hours. The pileup involved about 125 vehicles, including 20 tractor-trailers. It caused four fatalities and 39 injuries.

What Causes Interstate Pileups?

There are several factors that contribute to interstate pileups. Weather conditions that reduce visibility and make road surfaces more slippery often play a major role. No matter what the posted speed limit is, drivers in Georgia are required to slow down to a speed that is “reasonable and prudent” to match road and weather conditions.

Factors that contribute to interstate pileups include:

• Reduced visibility is caused by snow, fog, bright sunshine, and nighttime driving in areas with insufficient lighting.
• Slippery roads are caused by rain, snow, and spills.
• Unsafe road conditions include unsecured debris that falls from trucks, equipment left behind by road crews, and roadway defects.
• A truck jackknife is when a tractor-trailer falls over on its side, becoming stretched out across the highway.
• Speeding dramatically reduces reaction time and increases the severity of collisions.
• Tailgating. Drivers who travel too close to the vehicle in front of them won’t have enough time to react when suddenly confronted with a disabled vehicle, a road hazard, or a slowdown in traffic.
• Driving under the influence (DUI). Intoxication impairs a driver’s reflexes, reaction time, coordination, depth perception, and judgment.
• Distracted driving is caused by reaching for an object inside the vehicle, checking GPS, using a handheld device for texting or talking, and other ill-advised activities.
• Mechanical problems such as brake failure, blown-out tires, and engine seizure cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.

Your Columbus Interstate Pileup Accident Attorney Will Find Out What Really Happened

Insurance companies try to save money by denying claims and arguing that their client isn’t responsible for your injuries. They create confusion by pointing fingers in every direction.

At Butler Prather LLP, we know how to handle deceptive insurance agents, and we’ve seen all their tricks. Our experienced Columbus injury lawyers will scour the accident scene for evidence, interview witnesses, retrieve surveillance camera video, and review the accident report.

If any tractor-trailers were involved in the accident, we will file an injunction to prevent trucking companies from erasing the event data recorder (the truck’s “black box”). Butler Prather LLP will also subpoena company records to find out if the company has an inadequate safety record or if the truck was poorly maintained.

Determining Liability in an Interstate Pileup Accident

When it comes to automobile accidents, Georgia is an at-fault state. That means the person who causes an accident is liable for injuries that result. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence laws, anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to the accident may be held liable. This may include:

• Unsafe drivers or truckers
• Trucking and delivery companies
• Manufacturers of defective automobile components
• Mechanics
• Contractors who performed faulty road work
• Public officials responsible for road safety

Damages Available for Pileup Accident Injuries

Pileup accidents are likely to involve several large vehicles crashing into each other at high speeds, so it’s not surprising when they cause catastrophic injuries. The psychological impact of these accidents can be devastating, as victims are often forced to remain in their car for hours, not knowing how many more vehicles are going to crash into the pileup before help arrives.

When Butler Prather LLP files a personal injury claim for an interstate pileup, it will include the following types of damages:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Emotional distress
• PTSD
• Disfigurement
• Reduced quality of life
• In-home nursing care
• Reduced earning potential
• Wheelchair ramps for your home
• Wrongful death
• Loss of consortium

Injuries Caused by Interstate Pileup Accidents

Interstate pileups cause catastrophic injuries that result in severe hardships for victims and their families. Many people who survive these accidents are left with severe disabilities and a lifetime of chronic pain. Frequent injuries caused by interstate pileup accidents include:

• Bone fractures
• Whiplash
• Nerve damage
• Back injuries
• Paralysis
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Severe burns
• Organ failure

We’ve Won Over $1 Billion for Our Clients

Butler Prather LLP treats every client with the genuine respect and compassion they deserve, and you and your family can expect no less. We understand how important your case is to you, and that’s why we treat every case like it’s our only case.

Contact us at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a free consultation today.