One dead in multi-vehicle crash on EB 10 Freeway

A multi-vehicle crash on Sunday Morning on the 10 Freeway in San Dimas killed at least one person and prompted several eastbound lanes to close.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 5:30 a.m. near Via Verde Street and caused the eastbound side of the freeway to be completely shut down. Three lanes were later reopened. However, traffic at the scene remained congested.

According to a CHP incident report, the pileup involved a motorcycle, two sedans, and several other vehicles.

The identity of the person who died in the crash was not immediately released.

Officers are further investigating the cause of the crash.

Determining Liability in Multi-Vehicle Accidents in California

• The furthest back driver is at fault for many chain-reaction accidents. All drivers in California are required to undertake reasonable care. Drivers must follow at a safe distance and leave enough space between vehicles as part of exercising reasonable care. However, not every chain reaction or multi-vehicle accident is caused by a single driver. Multiple drivers may be at fault at the same time.

• To establish a driver’s negligence, you must prove the other driver’s duty of care, a breach of that duty, actual and proximate (legal) causation, and actual damages. In some cases, it may be required to hire an accident reconstruction expert to determine which driver are at fault and what percentage of responsibility each person has. The damage to each vehicle, the police report, skid marks, debris, deposition testimony, and eyewitness narratives can all be evaluated by the expert.

• Multiple drivers who acted without reasonable care are often involved in multi-vehicle accidents. If more than one driver is at fault, the doctrine of comparative negligence will probably be raised. The jury will evaluate total damages and assign a percentage of fault to each party alleged to be at fault under this doctrine. Thus, the plaintiff’s recovery will be reduced by his or her degree of fault, but it will not be eliminated unless he or she was entirely responsible for the accident.

• If multiple people are at fault for an accident, joint and several liabilities may come into play. A plaintiff can sue and obtain the whole amount of damages from any defendant, regardless of his or her degree of fault, under the pure form of this doctrine. If one or more drivers are uninsured, the purpose of the doctrine is to ensure that a plaintiff does not bear paying for bills if he or she was not at fault for the accident. In California, jointly and severally liable defendants can recover a contribution for economic damages like medical bills from other at-fault drivers.

• However, each defendant’s liability for noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of activities, remains several only.

The multi-vehicle accident lawyers at Khahsan Law can assist you in fighting for your rights and help you obtain the maximum compensation for your case.

If you or your family member have been a victim of multi-vehicle accidents, contact us today at (951) 461-2387 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.