Traffic can back up quickly on Northern Michigan roads. It happens on U.S. 31 in Traverse City, M-72 during the evening commute and two-lane highways across the region.

You stop. The driver behind you stops. But the next driver doesn't.

One impact pushes one car into another, and suddenly three vehicles are involved. Who is responsible?

Michigan law provides a starting point. Under MCL 257.402, a driver who strikes the rear of another vehicle is generally presumed negligent. But a multi-car crash isn't always that simple.

Suppose you're stopped at a light. The car behind you also stops. A third vehicle crashes into that car and pushes it into yours. The middle car hit you, but its driver may not have caused the accident.

That's why the sequence of impacts matters. Police reports, witnesses, photographs, dash-camera footage and vehicle damage can help determine who started the collision. More than one driver may also share fault. Hiring an attorney can help you quickly gather evidence before witnesses disappear and memories fade. Often, witnesses calling 911 can explain what they saw immediately after the accident, which may be crucial to a claim.

Medical bills are a separate issue. Michigan No-Fault PIP insurance may cover accident-related medical expenses and other benefits depending on the available coverage. A person seriously injured by another driver's negligence may also have a claim for pain and suffering.

If you've been injured in a Northern Michigan multi-car accident, an attorney can investigate the crash, identify the responsible insurance companies and help protect your right to compensation.