Chain reaction accidents are becoming increasingly common. Congested roadways and adverse weather conditions increase the likelihood that motorists will be involved in a multi-vehicle accident.
“Multi-vehicle accidents are particularly dangerous because the impact of multiple-vehicles means that each vehicle may be hit several times before the vehicles stop moving. This can lead to severe head, neck, and back trauma as people are bounced around in the collision,” warned Chicago car accident lawyer John Power.
This past February, black ice caused a 40-vehicle crash on I-294. Fortunately, traffic was moving slowly at the time which meant the low-speed collisions led to relatively minor injuries. However, that’s not always the case and multi-vehicle collisions that take place at higher speeds are responsible for a considerable number of fatalities.
“In January 2012, a multi-vehicle accident caused by poor visibility in Gainesville, FL led to 11 fatalities. Poor visibility can be just as dangerous as snow and ice, and the increasing number of multi-vehicle accidents highlights the need for drivers to remain extra vigilant as the weather changes and road conditions deteriorate,” cautioned Chicago car accident lawyer John Power.
Drivers can mitigate their risk of being involved in a multi-vehicle accident by driving for adverse weather conditions and driving defensively. This means driving a safe speed when snow, ice, and poor visibility are present. It also means not following vehicles too closely and steering clear of other vehicles that are driving too fast for conditions.
Further, drivers should remember that collision avoidance systems coupled with anti-lock brakes can help lower the chance of being involved in a multi-vehicle accident at low-speed, however, they do not significantly lower the risk in high speed conditions. With the increased speed limits on the highways and tollways around Chicago, drivers are advised to exercise extra caution this winter as the weather changes and roads around the windy city begin to ice over.
