One crash is hard enough. But when a second car barrels into the scene, injuring you again or turning a minor crash into a major one, the consequences can spiral fast. These events are known as secondary crashes, and they can make already complicated situations even more challenging when it comes to liability, insurance claims, and recovery.

If you’ve been hurt in a secondary crash, here’s what you need to know, and why working with a Louisiana car accident lawyer can be essential for getting the maximum compensation you deserve.

What Counts as a Secondary Crash?

A secondary crash occurs as a direct result of a previous crash or its aftermath. These incidents are not just random; conditions caused by the initial collision often trigger them.

Common scenarios include:

  • Rubbernecking-Related Crashes: Drivers slowing down or taking their eyes off the road to look at an existing accident may rear-end the car in front of them.
  • Stalled Vehicle Collisions: If disabled vehicles can’t be moved off the roadway after a crash, a distracted or speeding driver may strike them.
  • Roadside Pedestrian Crashes: People exiting their vehicles or walking near the crash site, while checking on others or waiting for help, can be hit by oncoming traffic that doesn’t yield or see them in time.

These follow-up crashes are dangerous. According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 20% of all crashes are secondary incidents, and they often result in severe injuries or even fatalities.

Why These Crashes Make Claims So Complicated

One of the biggest challenges with secondary crashes is determining who is liable, and that’s rarely straightforward.

Let’s say you were in a minor fender bender and pulled your car to the shoulder to exchange information. Moments later, another driver slams into your parked car or hits you while you’re standing nearby. Who’s responsible? Is it the original driver? The driver who caused the secondary crash? Could several parties share blame?

These cases often involve multiple insurance policies, conflicting accounts, and questions about what could have been prevented. That’s why liability in a secondary crash can quickly become messy, with finger-pointing delaying your claim.

How Is Fault Determined in a Secondary Crash?

Louisiana follows a comparative fault system. That means each party can be assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions, or inaction. In secondary crash cases, courts and insurance adjusters consider factors like:

  • Was the original crash cleared quickly and properly?
  • Were hazard lights or flares used to warn approaching drivers?
  • Was the driver who caused the second crash distracted or speeding?
  • Were the involved parties standing in a dangerous area without caution?

For example, if the driver in the secondary crash was texting while driving and didn’t notice the stopped vehicles ahead, they might be found mostly at fault. But if the initial crash victims didn’t pull off the road when they safely could have, a portion of the blame might shift to them.

In some cases, state or local agencies may be partly liable if poor road design or lack of signage contributed to the chain of events.

An experienced Louisiana car accident lawyer can investigate the factors that contributed to the secondary crash, helping ensure every responsible party is held accountable.

How a Louisiana Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Secondary Crash

Because of the legal complexity and the number of parties that might be involved, secondary crash victims can easily miss out on the full compensation they deserve if they try to handle claims on their own.

At Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, we understand how devastating secondary crashes can be. Here’s how we help you move forward:

  • Identify all liable parties (not just the most obvious one)
  • Collect evidence like surveillance footage, dashcam video, and eyewitness accounts
  • Review police reports and accident reconstructions
  • Handle communications with multiple insurers
  • Help you get coverage for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more

The longer you wait, the harder it can be to preserve evidence like traffic cam footage, road debris, or eyewitness statements, especially in complex, multi-vehicle crashes.

Without legal help, it’s also easy to get lowballed or blamed for things beyond your control. With our team on your side, you’re not just another case number; we fight to get every dollar you’re owed.

Injured in a Secondary Crash? Call a Louisiana Car Accident Lawyer Today

Whether your crash happened on I-10, near a construction zone, or on a two-lane highway in the bayou, you deserve an advocate who understands the unique risks of Louisiana roads and how to hold every responsible party accountable.

Contact our law firm for a free, confidential case review. We’ll investigate your claim, explain your options, and help you recover from the follow-up wreck.

Disclaimer: This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.