According to a report from WSB-TV 2, an accident on I-285 in DeKalb County early Saturday morning resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to four more. Police reported that 10 vehicles were involved in the accident just before 4 a.m. Saturday, September 30, on I-285 EB at I-65. The eastbound lanes of the interstate were shut down for a time Saturday as officers investigated the scene. The investigation continues and the names of the people killed were not released at the time of the report.
Multi-car pileups, also commonly referred to as chain reaction crashes, are most often experienced on highways and interstates where there can be many vehicles traveling in proximity to one another at high rates of speed. Often, these crashes begin with an accident between two vehicles. In some cases, the force of the accident can propel the vehicles involved into other travel lanes or other vehicles. In other cases, additional vehicles are unable to stop in time to avoid crashing into the debris or the vehicles involved in the initial accident. While pileups can happen at any time, they are more common in inclement weather, when roads are slippery and visibility is poor.
Tailgating is a common cause of chain reaction crashes, as drivers who are following another vehicle too closely not only have less time to see and respond to a hazard on the roadway but their vehicle’s brakes also have less time to pull the vehicle’s weight to a complete stop before an accident occurs. The larger the vehicle and the faster it is traveling when the brakes are applied, the more distance will be needed for the vehicle to slow and stop.
If you’ve been injured in a multi-car pileup in the Atlanta region that was caused by another driver’s negligence, an experienced car accident lawyer from Cambre & Associates can help you understand the process of seeking compensation for the expenses and impacts of your injury. Contact us for a free case evaluation.