TAC claims after a multi-car pile up

As Victorian roads get more congested and drivers appear to be more distracted, it seems that crashes involving multiple vehicles are becoming more common. But when there has been a crash of more than two cars in a row, how does the law divide responsibility for the injuries and loss that follow? How will TAC benefits or common law damages be decided when multiple parties are involved?

Two weeks ago, as I drove in to Polaris's offices in the CBD, the car radio announced something which was mundane to me, but life-changing to those involved; "there's been a pile-up on the Monash".

One car brakes suddenly and the driver of the car behind it does not react in time. In a matter of seconds, several cars have collided with each other. Drivers and passengers are injured.