Top 6 Causes of Michigan Pileup Car Accidents

Being involved in a normal two-car accident can fill you with fear, trauma, betrayal, and pain. A multi-vehicle crash involving dozens of cars can be far more complex and traumatic than a typical accident. Who is at fault for this? What can you do to get to safety? How can you avoid further injury? Where do you turn to get paid for your serious injuries, pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages? If you are involved in a multi-vehicle crash this year in Michigan, reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Matz Injury Law for help.

What is a Vehicle Pileup?

A vehicle pileup is a car accident involving multiple vehicles. Not every multi-car crash is necessarily a pileup. A pileup is so named because it creates a mass of vehicles that hit each other. Most pileups include three or more cars, but few result in the epic level of damage seen in the infamous, massive I-94 Michigan pileup on Jan. 9, 2015.

Vehicle pileups can be devastating, and determining who is responsible can be extremely complicated. If you have been in a multi-vehicle pileup, the attorneys at Matz Injury Law are here to help. Contact us today at 1-866-22Not33 or use our easy contact form to request a free consultation with a legal team member.

Top 6 Leading Causes of Pileup Accidents in Michigan

Pileup accidents are a serious concern on Michigan’s roads, particularly during the harsh winter months. The primary causes of such accidents are multifaceted, involving factors such as inclement weather, reckless driving behaviors like following too closely and speeding, and unexpected road hazards. Understanding these causes is crucial for developing effective strategies to prevent pileups and provide safer travel for all road users.

1. Winter Weather

Snow and ice are the primary weather factors in multi-car pileups. Freezing rain and snowstorms can turn highways, turnpikes, and other busy thoroughfares into sheets of ice, leading to whiteout conditions. Even a light rain can cause a vehicle to lose control, and on busy roads, a single collision can trigger a chain reaction.

2. Time of Day

The Department of Transportation and vehicle accident lawyers often use the time of day to help determine the cause of a crash. For example, crashes that occur on a Thursday afternoon are less likely to be caused by drunk driving than an accident on Saturday evening.

3. Location

The location can help determine the cause of an accident as well. For example, multi-car pileups in cities or suburbs almost always happen at intersections, particularly intersections with stoplights. One driver may ignore a stoplight or try to beat a yellow light and get struck by another moving through the intersection, which leads to more crashes. Alternatively, a car speeding through an intersection can T-bone another vehicle, which creates conditions that cause other drivers to swerve and potentially crash.

Outside of cities like Portland, Michigan, vehicle pileups almost always happen due to poor road or weather conditions. Ice, rain, or an oil spill can cause a driver to lose control and create a chain-reaction accident. Occasionally, a driver may simply be speeding and lose control on a curve, resulting in a massive accident.

4. Chain-Reaction Effect

A single collision in a vehicle pileup can quickly escalate into a chain reaction. Subsequent vehicles fail to stop in time due to road conditions, reduced visibility, or driver inattention. They collide with the vehicles ahead of them, the next vehicles collide with them, and so on.

5. Distracted Driving

Distractions like eating, texting, or using electronic devices impair a driver’s ability to react quickly. This makes them a common cause of pileups and other types of car crashes.

6. Speeding

The faster a vehicle is going, the longer it will take for it to stop. On wet or icy roads, vehicles may need even more space to stop safely. Speeding significantly contributes to the risk of multi-car accidents.

Who is at Fault in a Pileup?

It can be extremely tricky to assign fault in a chain-reaction type of accident like a multi-car pileup. Many drivers involved in these accidents may have been speeding or otherwise negligent in some small way, eventually contributing to their involvement in the accident.

For example, a driver who fails to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead may be considered negligent in the event of an accident. If a vehicle suddenly changes lanes and cuts off another driver, causing that driver to swerve out of the way and strike others, the original lane changer could be responsible. However, the driver they cut off may also be responsible if it can be shown that they should have left more space to react to unforeseen situations.

In vehicle pileups, attorneys consider many factors to determine fault. They start by identifying how the original crash happened. Then, they consider the above factors: weather, time of day, and location. Even the number and types of vehicles involved can come into play.

Michigan is also a no-fault state for insurance purposes. No-fault laws do not mean that nobody is at fault for an accident. They mean that you are required to carry no-fault insurance, also known as personal injury protection or PIP coverage. When you are in an accident in Michigan, you file your initial claim with your insurance company under your PIP policy.

This insurance covers your lost wages, medical expenses, and other basic expenses from a car accident, including up to $20 per day for replacement household services and, if necessary, survivor’s loss benefits should you die in the car accident. PIP benefits do not include pain and suffering or other invisible injuries. In addition, insurance companies will often look for reasons to deny coverage, even when you deserve the compensation.

Michigan law requires you to carry PIP on your insurance policy. Only those covered by Medicare Part A or B are exempt, provided others in their household have an auto insurance policy or health coverage. The level you carry is up to you and can range from $50,000 to $500,000.

To seek compensation for pain and suffering for your injuries, you must file a lawsuit against the responsible party. At this point, you should consult with a knowledgeable and experienced car accident attorney, such as those at Matz Injury Law.

How Do Road Conditions Contribute to Pileup Accidents?

Michigan weather can get freezing, and winter conditions can create hazardous conditions that increase the risk of pileups.

• Icy roads and snow-covered surfaces require additional time and distance for stopping. They also increase the risk that drivers may lose control of their vehicles.
• Winter storms can produce slick surfaces quickly and unexpectedly.
• Snowstorms can produce whiteout conditions that severely limit visibility.

What Safety Measures Can Prevent Pileups?

Even a standard two-car crash can cause significant trauma and stress — imagine the stakes in a pileup involving dozens of vehicles. Taking the right steps can make the difference between safety and catastrophic injuries. Here are some important precautions to take to protect yourself from a vehicle pileup in Michigan.

• Slow down: As soon as you notice any warning signs, gradually reduce your speed. Avoid brake slamming; such behavior can just lead to more accidents. Slowing down also applies to hazardous road conditions like broken pavement, gravel, or chemical spills.
• Maintain distance: Maintaining the right distance between your car and the cars around you is essential to defensive driving. Give the cars around you plenty of time to slow down. You should always have enough space to react to unforeseen circumstances on the road.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions: By staying focused on the road, you can anticipate and respond effectively to sudden changes or hazards.
• Check road and weather conditions: Checking real-time updates on weather and road closures can help you know what to expect on your journey and plan accordingly.
• Equip your vehicle for winter driving: Keeping your vehicle well-maintained, equipping snow tires, and carrying emergency supplies can enhance safety during winter travel.
• Avoid sudden braking or accelerating: Smooth, gradual driving helps prevent loss of traction and control on icy or slippery roads.
• Follow instructions from authorities: Obeying warnings or directions from law enforcement and road crews can help you stay safe during hazardous conditions.
• Stay off the roads during severe storms: Avoiding travel during snowstorms or whiteout conditions reduces the likelihood of being involved in a pileup.
• Use headlights and hazard lights: Proper use of headlights and hazard lights improves visibility and alerts other drivers in low-visibility conditions.
• Be prepared for emergencies: In case you become stranded or involved in a pileup, it’s helpful to have essential supplies on hand, such as blankets and water. Emergency flares, snacks, a spare charger for your cell phone, and other necessities are recommended.
• Get to safety: If you see a big accident ahead of you, put your blinkers on and pull off to the side of the road. Try to stay clear of the incident. It could be several hours after one of these accidents before the road reopens.

What Should Drivers Do if Involved in a Multi-Car Pileup?

The following steps can help drivers protect themselves and others during and after a multi-vehicle accident.

• Stay calm and assess the situation: You can make safer decisions during a massive pileup by staying composed and evaluating your surroundings.
• Avoid leaving your vehicle immediately: Unless you know that you are imminently unsafe, remaining inside your vehicle protects you from oncoming traffic and further injuries.
• Check for injuries: Assess yourself and your passengers’ injuries. Seek immediate medical help if necessary.
• Contact emergency services: Calling 911 provides prompt dispatch of law enforcement and medical responders.
• Turn on hazard lights: Activating your hazard lights improves visibility and alerts other drivers of the ongoing pileup.
• Follow instructions from first responders: Cooperating with law enforcement and medical personnel provides safety and helps them handle the accident efficiently.
• Exchange information with other drivers: If it is safe to do so, share contact information and insurance details with other involved drivers.
• Document the scene: Taking photos or videos of the accident scene can provide valuable evidence for your insurance claim and legal case.
• Avoid discussing fault: Refrain from admitting responsibility or assigning blame at the accident scene. Such behavior is important for protecting your legal interests.
• Contact your insurance company: You must promptly notify your insurer and provide accurate details of the pileup. Failure to do so could affect your insurance claim.
• Seek legal advice: Consulting a lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and any potential liabilities.

How Can a Lawyer Help After a Pileup Car Accident in Michigan?

An attorney helps ease the legal burden so you can focus on recovery, such as assisting with the following:

• Legal guidance: A lawyer can advise you of your rights and help you understand your options. They can shoulder much of the burden of asserting a claim for damages while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
• Insurance experience: They can help you navigate the complexities of the insurance claim process.
• Case evaluation: They can review your case to determine liability and assess how much you may be able to recover in damages.
• Negotiation: They can handle negotiations with insurance companies or opposing counsel, who know many tricks for minimizing how much they must pay.
• Litigation: If necessary, they can advocate for you in court.

Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law

The Michigan personal injury attorneys at Matz Injury Law have decades of experience representing people with injury claims throughout the state. The firm has recovered more than $300 million through settlements and verdicts. Clients of Matz Injury Law take more money home than other claimants, thanks to the firm’s reduced contingency fee. Instead of the usual 33.3 percent fee, the fee from Matz Injury Law is only 22 percent of the settlement or award amount.

Testimonials

“Steve Matz deserves more than 5 stars! He went above and beyond to help me with my automobile accident/lawsuit, and stayed in constant contact with me. He cared about me as a person and how I was feeling or doing.” — Holly L.

“Mr. Matz was great helping me after my auto accident. I had no idea what was going on or where to turn but he led me the correct direction and to the right kind of doctors I needed to treat my injuries. He was there to answer any questions and still is, even if its not to do with the case he represented me on. His son is very helpful and caring also!” — Judy W.

“Many thanks to Jared and the staff at Matz law! You definitely helped ease a very stressful situation. I really didn’t have to do anything, you folks did it all, which I appreciated very much. It’s never a pleasant experience when someone runs a red light and you wind up with life long injuries…and I sure didn’t want to have to deal with the insurance company too. 2 thumbs up from me!” — Kim B.

Related Resources

• For My Car Accident Case, Can I Use a Black Box?: Learn more about event data recorders (EDRs), which are common in cars manufactured after 2018. Could EDR data help your car accident case?
• What to Do if You Are Paralyzed in a Car Accident: Paralysis from a car accident can cause lifelong complications and require ongoing care. An attorney can help you obtain compensation for such a debilitating injury.
• Seeking Compensation for Whiplash and Nerve Damage From a Car Accident: Car crashes are the most common cause of nerve damage, but the reason can be difficult to prove. An experienced car accident attorney can help.
• Michigan Car Accident FAQ: Get answers to common questions about Michigan car accidents, like what to do after an accident and whether you need a lawyer.

The Infamous 2015 Car Accident Pileup in Michigan

Years ago, on Interstate 94 in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, just outside of the Battle Creek metro area, what began as a single accident on a Friday morning eventually turned into a historic accident involving a more than 100-car pileup, all due to driver negligence. The final tally in the pileup was a whopping 193 vehicles, with dozens of injuries and catastrophic levels of property damage. The damage took up nearly a half-mile of highway.

The winter weather that day had howling winds with gusts over 40 mph. The winter storm created whiteout conditions and icy roads. Even the help of plows didn’t fully reduce the risk. Despite severe winter weather, driver negligence was ruled the primary cause of the accident.

It began with a two-vehicle crash between big rigs just less than 100 miles from Ionia County. The initial wreck involved a tanker truck carrying over 44,000 pounds of formic acid, a common antibacterial agent and preservative in livestock feed, and a tractor-trailer hauling 40,000 pounds of commercial-grade fireworks, which immediately went off upon impact. Motorists and passengers alike dove for cover as the icy conditions and inches of snow led to more vehicles colliding. Miraculously, the deadly pileup resulted in only a single fatality, but it could have been far worse.

Police officers issued 63 citations to motorists at the scene due to improper driving for the road conditions. The pileup received national media coverage and had breaking news coverage on NBC, Fox, CBS News, MLive, and other major news outlets. The incident caused both the eastbound lanes and westbound lanes to be closed for hours as first responders, the Michigan State Police (MSP) department, and the fire department worked to clear the accident and contain the deadly conditions.

Prioritize Getting to Safety After a Pileup

Matz Injury Law has decades of combined experience helping people like you all across Michigan. If you are involved in a multi-car pileup accident despite your efforts to get to safety, you deserve compensation for your injuries.

When the insurance company denies your claim or offers an insufficient settlement, our car accident lawyers can take over negotiations. We can help you file the right paperwork on time and correctly, and help you avoid making critical mistakes. We can take over the fight so you can focus on getting well again.

You owe us nothing if we do not win your case, and our contingency fee is only 22 percent, compared to the 33 percent many competitors charge. Call our law office at 1-866-22Not33 or use our online contact form to request a free consultation with a member of our legal team today.