Multi-Vehicle Pileup Accidents
Multi-Vehicle Pileup Accident Attorneys in Michigan
Michigan winters and high-speed freeways are a recipe for multi-vehicle pileups. Whiteout conditions on I-75, black ice on I-696, fog on I-94 near Metro Airport — when visibility drops and the first vehicle brakes, chain-reaction crashes involving 10, 20, sometimes 50 or more vehicles can unfold in seconds. These pileups produce some of the most catastrophic injuries and complex liability situations in personal injury law.
Koussan Law handles multi-vehicle pileup cases throughout Michigan. These aren't simple "who hit who" cases — they require crash reconstruction experts, analysis of multiple police reports, and coordination of claims against numerous drivers and insurance carriers simultaneously.
Why Liability Is Complicated
In a typical two-car crash, determining fault is relatively straightforward. In a 15-car pileup on I-96, the question of who caused what becomes extremely complex. Was the first driver who braked suddenly at fault? The second driver who was following too closely? The fifth driver who was going 70 mph in a whiteout? Multiple drivers can share fault under Michigan's comparative negligence rules (MCL § 600.2959), and we pursue every one of them.
Michigan State Police typically handle pileup crash investigations, but their reports are starting points, not conclusions. They document vehicle positions, witness statements, and basic fault determinations, but they don't have the time or resources to reconstruct the exact sequence of impacts in a 20-vehicle pileup. We hire independent crash reconstructionists who analyze vehicle damage patterns, EDR (black box) data from each vehicle, road surface conditions, and weather data from the closest weather stations to build a second-by-second timeline of the pileup.
Multiple Insurance Claims
Pileup cases involve multiple PIP claims and multiple third-party tort claims running simultaneously. Your PIP coverage under MCL § 500.3107 covers your medical expenses regardless of fault. For the third-party claims under MCL § 500.3135, we identify every at-fault driver and their liability carrier. In a major pileup, this can mean pursuing claims against five or more insurance companies at once — each with their own adjuster, defense attorney, and strategy for minimizing their client's share of fault.
Government Liability
If the pileup was caused or exacerbated by a road condition — untreated ice, inadequate warning signs for fog-prone areas, construction zone confusion, or malfunctioning road weather information systems — MDOT or the county road commission may share liability under the highway exception to governmental immunity (MCL § 691.1402). The 120-day notice requirement under MCL § 691.1404 applies.
Evidence Preservation Is Critical
Pileup evidence degrades fast. Vehicles are towed to multiple yards and begin getting scrapped. EDR data can be lost if vehicles are moved or repaired. MDOT camera footage gets overwritten. Weather station data gets archived and becomes harder to obtain. We send preservation letters to every tow yard, insurance carrier, and government agency within 48 hours of engagement.
If you were injured in a multi-vehicle pileup in Michigan, call (313) 800-0000 for a free consultation. These cases have short evidence windows and need immediate investigation.
Use our free case calculator for a preliminary estimate of your claim value.
