A pile up accident is a collision that involves multiple vehicles, making them one of the deadliest collisions on the road. What are the causes and effects of multi-vehicle collisions? If you’re curious about the accident, don’t waste your time and read this article right away.
Get to Know to Pile Up Accident
If you take the terminology definition, a pile up accident or multi-vehicle accident is an accident that involves 3 or more vehicles. In the case of this accident, usually, one vehicle will suffer damage due to impact from the rear. While another will suffer damage to the front, and several vehicles will suffer damage to the front and rear.
In addition, these head-on collisions generally occur on high-capacity, high-speed routes such as highways. Due to the number of colliding vehicles coupled with the high speed of each vehicle, this type of crash is often said to be one of the deadliest accidents.
As an example of how horrific a head-on collision can be, we will feature a case from October 2023 in Louisiana. This chain-reaction accident involved at least 168 vehicles and killed eight people. In addition, it was also reported that around 63 people were injured in this accident.
So, what caused this accident? According to the local police report, the cause of this multi-vehicle accident was due to thick smog from a swamp fire in Louisiana.
Causes of the Pile Up Accident
As you already know, smog is one of the causes of multi-vehicle accidents. With limited visibility due to smoke-covered roads, it is possible for drivers to not realize that their vehicle is moving too close to the vehicle in front of them.
Aside from haze, snowstorms and heavy rain can also cause multiple vehicle accidents. With slippery road conditions due to snow or rain coupled with poor visibility, a head-on collision is inevitable if one of the vehicles stops suddenly.
However, when one or two vehicles are traveling too close together and the vehicle in front suddenly stops, the vehicle behind may not be able to brake in time, causing a collision. If coupled with poor visibility, this might cause the vehicles behind to hit them.
Moreover, highways or expressways often have a high volume of traffic where cars, semi-trucks, and trucks pass by. Considering this, it is not surprising that if even one vehicle suddenly stops, it can cause multiple vehicles to be involved in an accident.
Effects of a Pile Up Accident
There’s no denying that multiple-vehicle collisions are deadly because of the sheer number of vehicles involved, especially if it involves an 18-wheeler truck. It also leaves you and the other surviving drivers trapped and unable to escape. Even if you manage to get out, the vehicle behind you could hit you.
Apart from that, the collision may also cause sparks to spread through the spilled gasoline causing a car fire. Even worse, the destruction and intense heat from the fire can damage the roadway, making the asphalt melt or the concrete surface peel off.
If a car fire occurs on a bridge or overpass, it can weaken the structure due to the intense heat. However, the flames of a car accident in a tunnel are the most serious as there is little way for you to escape the toxic fumes and skin-burning heat.
In addition, a large-scale pile up accident can also shut down highway lanes for several days. That’s because the authorities will be busy removing the vehicles that have been destroyed in the accident. In fact, if the supporting structure of the highway is damaged, the highway may be closed for even longer.
How to Avoid a Multi-Vehicle Accident
As the saying goes prevention is better than cure, you can also prevent a pile up accident. There are several things you can do to avoid being involved in a multiple-vehicle accident. Below are the steps:
- If it’s snowing, raining, or foggy and visibility is poor, you can slow down.
- Anticipate your maneuvers. In other words, drive your vehicle brake slowly from a distance and avoid sudden maneuvers.
- Know what the weather has in store before you set out to drive, so you’ll be better prepared to react.
- When you drive, give enough space to other drivers, both in the vehicle in front and behind.
- Drive extra defensively. This means that you should never assume that other drivers are paying close attention to the road.
- Prepare your car for snowy and slippery conditions by checking the tread depth of your tires or adding a set of snow tires.
- If the weather gets really bad, get off the main road and wait for the storm to stop until it looks safe to travel again.
- Always be fully alert. So, avoid using your cell phone, adjusting the radio, or looking at GPS while you’re driving.
- Don’t rely solely on four-wheel drive as this feature doesn’t always help when you’re driving in snow and ice.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
If you’re involved in a multi-vehicle accident and can’t avoid it, you can follow the tips below to stay safe. Please take a look!
- Make sure you and the other passengers in your vehicle do not suffer any injuries.
- Try not to get out of the car until the situation looks safe. If the collision is not over, another vehicle might hit you when you get out of your vehicle. So, stay in the vehicle while fastening your seatbelt and call 911.
- See if you can move your vehicle. If you find a space ahead, try moving your vehicle there and move away from the scene of the collision.
- Only exit your vehicle when public safety officials declare it safe. In the meantime, keep your hazard lights on.
- Wait for the paramedics to arrive, then you can be examined.
- Before you report your claim to the insurance company or contact a lawyer. Please write down all the details of the accident, from the scene to the injuries sustained. Don’t forget to take photos at the scene of the chain reaction accident.
Pile Up Accident The Deadly Accident Involving Multiple Vehicles
In conclusion, a pile up accident is an accident that involves two or more vehicles, be it cars, motorcycles, semi-trucks, or trucks. The cause of these accidents is usually due to bad weather that causes minimal visibility, such as smog, snowstorms, and heavy rain.
Nevertheless, you can avoid being involved in these accidents by being careful while driving. Make sure not to lose focus, always give space to the vehicles in front and behind you, and always check your vehicle before you set out to drive it. Then, drive carefully to take care of yourself and your family safe and sound.
