What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident

All accident scenes are chaotic, but when multiple vehicles are involved, the chaos and confusion easily get out of control. Unlike a two-car accident, a multiple vehicle accident involves several drivers, multiple types of insurance coverage, and often, there are conflicting reports about what happened.

Determining fault in these cases can be complex, and victims are usually left unsure of how to proceed. Understanding what to do following a multiple-car accident can make a big difference in the final outcome.

1. Prioritize Safety First Following a Car Crash

When in a multi-car pile up, often the first moments can be very dangerous. There might be secondary collisions as oncoming traffic might not have time to stop, even if they see a vehicle ahead.

If possible, try to move your vehicle out of the way and away from other vehicles that might be coming down the road. What started off as a small accident between two cars can also involved three or more vehicles as one car hits the next. It can quickly turn into a chain reaction.

Check for injuries and call 911. Other cars might still come, so it's best to get out of the line of traffic until you know police and emergency services have arrived and stopped other cars.

2. Avoid Admitting Fault or Assigning Fault

It's also important that you don't admit fault or start pointing fingers. The investigation will determine who the at-fault driver or drivers are, and if multiple parties start arguing about who is at fault, stay out of the conversation.

Determining liability with several drivers involved is difficult, and assigning fault isn't as easy as it might be in other situations. Because of this, it's best to stick to facts and not speculate about how the accident occurred.

3. Seek Medical Attention Immediately for Car Accident Injuries

Even if you don't have serious injuries, it's best to get seen by a doctor as soon as possible. Not only does it help to get seen by a doctor, it also will connect any injuries with the accident.

Bodily injury is common in these cases, and every injured party should have medical records showing that they were injured in the accident. This will allow everyone to be compensated for medical expenses in a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary.

4. Gather Evidence at the Scene (If It’s Safe)

Though police officers on site will be looking at the scene and doing a thorough investigation, if possible, you should try gathering evidence, yourself. Some of the things you should try to capture include:

• The positions of all vehicles involved, even if in multiple lanes

• Vehicle damage to each car and other property damage from multiple angles

• Road conditions, skid marks, and traffic signals/road signs

• Dashcam footage, if available

• Photos of weather conditions at the time of the incident or slick or wet roads

• Contact information from other drivers and witnesses and insurance information from other drivers.

Also, make a note of anything unusual—like a driver appearing distracted, speeding, or under the influence. The smallest detail could later help clarify who caused the domino effect.

5. Get a Copy of the Police Report

When law enforcement arrives, they will take statements, examine the scene, and prepare an official accident report. This document is a key piece of evidence in your case.

Ask for the officer’s name and badge number and find out how to obtain a copy of the report once it’s available. The police report will usually include initial findings about who may have been at fault, which is extremely helpful when dealing with insurance adjusters later.

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the accident. Provide the basic facts—when, where, and how the collision occurred—but avoid speculating about who caused it.

Because multiple insurance companies may be involved, the claims process can become complicated. Iowa follows a comparative fault rule, which means each party’s compensation can be reduced based on their percentage of fault.

An attorney can handle communications with insurers to make sure your statements aren’t used against you and that your coverage benefits are properly applied. For more information, an accident attorney in Des Moines may be able to help.

7. Don’t Rely on Insurance Companies to Determine Fault Fairly

After a multi-car accident, each insurance company will attempt to shift blame away from their policyholder. This can lead to delays, disputes, and even lowball settlement offers.

Having a Des Moines car accident lawyer on your side ensures that your interests are protected. They can explain what to do after a car accident with a drunk driver. An attorney can conduct an independent investigation, collect witness statements, review the police report, and, if necessary, work with accident reconstruction experts to determine how the crash occurred.

8. Keep Track of Medical Bills and Expenses

Multi-vehicle accidents often result in serious injuries requiring extended medical care. Keep thorough records of all expenses, including:

• Hospital bills and emergency room visits

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

• Lost wages from time off work

• Prescription costs and transportation expenses

• Pain and suffering or emotional distress

Documenting everything makes it easier to prove the full financial impact of the crash and pursue fair compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

9. Understand How Fault Works in Iowa

Under Iowa’s comparative fault system, multiple drivers can share responsibility for the same accident. For example, if one driver was speeding, another was tailgating, and a third driver was distracted, they could each bear a percentage of fault.

As long as an injured driver is less than 51% at fault, they can still recover damages—though their compensation is reduced by their percentage of responsibility.

Because determining fault is so complex in multi-vehicle accidents, having legal representation is essential to ensure the blame is accurately assigned. They can also help with questions such as is it worth appealing a denied insurance claim?

10. Consult an Experienced Des Moines Car Accident Attorney

Navigating the aftermath of a multi-vehicle accident without professional guidance can be overwhelming. Insurance companies will prioritize minimizing payouts, not protecting your rights.

A skilled Des Moines car accident attorney can:

• Investigate the cause of the pile-up

• Communicate with all insurance companies on your behalf

• Analyze police reports, traffic camera footage, and medical records

• Negotiate for full compensation based on your injuries and damages

• Take your case to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached

At Tom Fowler Law, the legal team understands the complexities of a multi-vehicle crash and works tirelessly to secure justice for victims. The firm helps clients recover the compensation they deserve while providing compassionate support through every stage of the process. Reach out today for a free consultation.