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How Is Fault Determined in a Virginia Pile-Up?

 Posted on July 10, 2025 in Car Accidents

Prince William County, VA Auto AccidentIn December 2024, a tractor-trailer collided with a car making a left turn on Gordon Boulevard in Woodbridge, VA. The initial crash triggered a massive chain reaction involving 11 vehicles, sending multiple people to the hospital and damaging a nearby condominium building. As authorities investigated the accident, the full scope became increasingly complex. How were the victims supposed to recover compensation? Whose insurance would be responsible for the damages? 

Cases like this highlight how auto accidents can be highly complicated. If you suffered injuries in a pile-up crash, a Dale City, VA car accident attorney can help you understand the laws that apply to your case, including those that apply to fault.

How Does Virginia Law Determine Fault in a Car Pile-Up?

Virginia follows the fault-based approach to accident claims, which means determining fault is required to recover compensation after a car accident. In pile-ups, fault is not always clear or shared equally. The law focuses on each driver’s actions leading up to the collision and whether those actions breached the duty of care, meaning the responsibility to drive safely, owed to others on the road. 

Rear-end crashes are a common component of pile-ups, and typically the rear driver is at fault. This presumption can be rebutted with evidence showing a sudden stop or unexpected maneuver by the driver in front. Even a single act of negligence, such as following too closely or distracted driving, can be enough to establish liability.

Virginia Code § 46.2-816 makes it unlawful to follow another vehicle unreasonably close, especially considering traffic and highway conditions. In pile-ups, this statute is often cited when drivers fail to maintain safe distances on congested roadways.

Can You Still Get Compensation If You Were Partially at Fault for a Virginia Car Accident?

Unlike most states, the Virginia Commonwealth adheres to the pure contributory negligence rule, outlined in § 8.01-34. If an injured party is found to have contributed even one percent to a crash, they are barred from recovering any damages. This rule can make pursuing a personal injury claim particularly challenging in a pile-up scenario, where fault may be spread across several drivers. In the Gordon Boulevard pile-up case, for example, if one of the injured drivers was speeding or distracted before the impact, their ability to seek compensation could be blocked.

Even if you think you may have been partially at fault for an accident, it is very important to talk to a skilled car accident lawyer who can review your case and help you understand whether pursuing a claim is likely to succeed. 

What Kind of Evidence Is Used to Prove Fault in a Pile-Up?

Gathering evidence in a pile-up collision case requires a thorough investigation to understand what happened and who should be liable. The process typically involves:

  • Reviewing police crash reports and eyewitness statements

  • Analyzing vehicle damage patterns

  • Securing dashcam or traffic surveillance footage

  • Examining data from commercial trucks, including electronic logging devices and GPS systems

Starting the investigation quickly is important. In Virginia, injured parties have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, according to § 8.01-243(A). Waiting too long to act can result in lost evidence and a missed opportunity to recover compensation.

Contact a Prince William County, VA Auto Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was involved in a multi-vehicle pile-up, you do not have to figure out your way through the legal system alone. At Whitlock Law, our Dale City, VA car accident attorneys will fight tenaciously to protect your rights, helping you determine who is at fault and where to file your claim. Call us at 703-576-5005 today to schedule a free consultation.

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