Can I Sue for Damages After a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident in Maryland?

Posted on behalf of Peter T. Nicholl in Car Accidents Published on October 29, 2025 and updated on December 4, 2025.

Multi-vehicle car accidents are extremely complex, especially when trying to determine liability and seek compensation. In Maryland, where strict contributory negligence applies, being successful in these claims involving three or more vehicles is significantly harder without the help of an experienced lawyer to protect your rights.

At The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl, we understand the unique challenges injured victims face after a multi-vehicle collision. Our legal team has extensive experience managing car crash cases in Maryland, and we are deeply committed to helping injured victims hold at-fault parties accountable for their negligent actions.

Were you injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Maryland? Call our trusted law firm today to speak with one of our highly qualified car accident lawyers in Baltimore. We offer a free case evaluation to learn more about the situation that injured you and help you understand your legal rights.

Call for a FREE, no-risk case review today. 410-244-7005

What Counts as a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident in Maryland?

A multi-vehicle car accident involves three or more vehicles in a single collision or series of connected collisions. These crashes often happen as chain reactions, where one initial impact causes subsequent collisions involving multiple other vehicles.

What Causes Multi-Vehicle Crashes?

Chain reaction crashes are quite common on major roads in Baltimore and across the state, especially on heavily trafficked highways like I-695 or I-95. But they can also happen at busy intersections or in stop-and-go traffic.

These commonly occur due to a combination of various types of unsafe driving, including:

• Speeding
• Not adjusting driving to dangerous weather conditions, such as heavy rain, ice, and snow
• Road conditions, like potholes, uneven/unstable road surfaces
• Work zones where road construction or other unexpected detours
• Following vehicles too closely (tailgating) and other types of aggressive driving
• Carelessly changing lanes – including darting in and out of traffic
• Running red lights or other traffic signs and signals
• Impaired driving due to being drunk, high, or fatigued
• Driving while distracted due to texting, eating, or other behaviors that take your mind or eyes off the road

Can I Sue for Damages After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Baltimore?

If one or more drivers are responsible for the crash that caused your injuries, medical costs, and other damages, then yes – you may be able to sue for damages after a multi-vehicle crash in Baltimore.

Maryland law allows injured victims to pursue compensation from any party whose careless or reckless actions contributed to the accident. This includes drivers who caused the initial impact, drivers who failed to brake or react appropriately, and even drivers whose actions or inactions made the crash worse. The caveat is that you – or your attorney – will need to prove who caused the crash and how they were negligent.

How Does Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Law Affect Multi-Vehicle Crash Claims?

In Maryland, the contributory negligence system applies. It is one of the harshest negligence rules in the country. Under this system, if you are assessed with any fault for the crash – even as small as one percent – you are barred from recovering any compensation. This rule applies no matter how serious the crash or your injuries are.

In multi-vehicle crashes, hiring an injury lawyer in Baltimore to manage your case is even more critical because of the significant disadvantage victims face under this rule. Insurance companies have much more incentive to try to shift blame onto you – especially given they only need to prove one percent negligence to avoid paying damages.

At [firm-name], we are extremely familiar with this system and the many challenges it creates for victims trying to seek compensation for their damages. We know how to dispute unfair attempts to assess you with fault for the damages caused by others and will work diligently to protect your legal rights from day one.

Are Damages Different in Multi-Vehicle Crashes?

The damages you can recover in a multi-vehicle crash are the same as for any car accident case. If your case is successful, you may be eligible to recover these and other types of compensation:

• Current and future medical costs related to the crash that injured you
• Lost wages
• Future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• And more

Calculating and proving those damages is best done by a knowledgeable attorney that knows how to assess and obtain the maximum compensation on your behalf.

Our knowledgeable injury attorneys at [firm-name] can help you identify all sources of compensation in a multi-vehicle collision to help maximize your recovery.

How Multi-Vehicle Crashes in Baltimore Are Different From Crashes Involving Two Vehicles

Multi-vehicle crashes involve unique legal and practical challenges that don’t exist in typical two-car accidents. These differences can significantly impact your ability to prove fault, recover compensation, and resolve your case.

Key differences include:

• More complex investigations: Accident reconstructionist specialists are often called in to analyze multiple points of impact, vehicle positions, and driver actions to learn more about the sequence of events.
• Difficult liability determinations: Proving who caused the crash and who is responsible for your specific injuries requires detailed evidence when three or more drivers are involved.
• Multiple insurance companies: It may be necessary to negotiate with several insurers simultaneously, each trying to minimize their client’s liability and shift blame to other drivers.
• Increased evidence requirements: Stronger documentation is needed — including medical records, witness statements, traffic camera footage, police reports, and expert testimony—to establish fault across multiple parties.
• Longer case timelines: Coordinating discovery, depositions, and negotiations with multiple defendants and their attorneys often means a longer litigation process.
• Greater risk of contributory negligence claims: More defendants mean there are more parties to argue you share fault. These disputes could be enough to bar your recovery under Maryland law.

The challenges these differences create make it critical for victims to work with a knowledgeable attorney who has specific experience handling multi-vehicle accident cases in Maryland.

Does a Multi-Vehicle Crash Affect How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Maryland?

No, even though multi-car crashes are more complicated, the statute of limitations remains the same. It doesn’t matter if you were injured in a two-vehicle or multi-vehicle crash. In Maryland, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Due to the complex nature of a multi-vehicle crash, we strongly recommend seeking legal help right away. Chain reaction crashes take more time to investigate, identify all liable parties, and gather evidence from multiple sources. Waiting too long to call an attorney can make it harder to locate witnesses, preserve crash scene evidence, and build a compelling case.

The Last Chance Doctrine – What It Is and How It Could Benefit You in a Multi-Vehicle Crash Case

Maryland’s last clear chance doctrine may provide an important exception to the harsh contributory negligence rule. Under this doctrine, you may still be able to recover damages even if you were partially at fault. The catch is you – or your attorney – must be able to prove the other driver had the last clear chance to avoid the accident and failed to do so.

In multi-vehicle crashes, the last chance doctrine can be particularly valuable when a driver sees a developing collision ahead but fails to brake, swerve, or take evasive action to prevent hitting you.

For example, if you were involved in the initial collision but a driver behind you had time to stop or change lanes to avoid hitting your vehicle. If they failed to take action and crashed into you, the last clear chance doctrine may apply.

Our experienced Baltimore car crash attorneys can evaluate your situation and determine whether this doctrine may apply and help you overcome Maryland’s contributory negligence bar.

Why You Need an Experienced Lawyer After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Baltimore

Multi-vehicle crashes involve significantly more legal complexity than typical car accidents. Without an experienced lawyer to protect your legal rights, you risk losing the ability to recover compensation. Our attorneys have extensive experience managing multi-vehicle accident cases and the resources and knowledge to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

At [firm-name], we help multi-vehicle crash victims by:

• Thoroughly investigating your accident to determine all liable parties
• Gathering critical evidence including witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction analysis
• Working with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries
• Negotiating with multiple insurance companies on your behalf
• Protecting you from contributory negligence arguments that could bar your claim
• Identifying all available sources of compensation to maximize your recovery
• Handling all legal deadlines and court procedures
• Taking your case to trial if insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation

Need Legal Help? Call Our Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers Today

Multi-vehicle crashes in Baltimore can leave you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your legal rights. Maryland’s contributory negligence rule makes these cases extremely challenging, which is why you need an experienced attorney to protect your ability to recover compensation.

At [firm-name], our Baltimore car accident lawyers have been helping the injured throughout Maryland for decades. We have the staff, experience, and resources to manage the most complex multi-vehicle crash cases.

Not sure if you have a case? We offer a free, no-risk case evaluation to answer your questions and help you understand your legal options. When our firm represents your case, there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs to pay. We only get paid if you do.

Contact us today to speak to one of our lawyers. We are here to help you. 410-244-7005