Who Is To Blame For A Rear-End Car Crash?

October 5, 2021

Who Is To Blame For A Rear-End Car Crash?

Rear view of a damaged black and white police car with the trunk open, dented from a crash.

Who Is To Blame For A Rear-End Car Crash? 

Rear-end collisions frequently occur throughout Montgomery and the State of Alabama. Whiplash, spinal cord injuries, concussions, and lower back injuries are some of the common injuries suffered by drivers and passengers during rear-end collisions, leading to costly losses. 


Many people think the driver who strikes another car from the rear is always the at-fault driver. This is not always the case. Whether you were the front or rear driver, you should always have a Montgomery car accident lawyer evaluate liability in your case.


The Rear Driver

The rear driver will be found to be the at-fault driver in the majority of rear-end collisions. This is because a rear driver should be following other vehicles at a safe enough distance that they can slow down or stop to avoid a collision. Following too closely is a common cause of these crashes, as well as:


  • The rear driver failed to brake in the proper manner or leave enough space to prepare for the front driver to make a swift stop. 
  • Rear drivers may engage in road rage and deliberately drive into the front automobile. 
  • Rear drivers may speed and be unable to avoid a rear-end collision. 
  • Rear drivers may be distracted by a mobile phone and not realize the car ahead of them is stopped.
  • Rear drivers may tailgate the front car not be able to avoid a rear-end collision.


The Front Driver

Sometimes, the front driver can be at fault in a rear-end collision. Front drivers may engage in the following behaviors and cause a rear-end collision to occur: 


  • Front drivers may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs 
  • Front drivers may change lanes in a dangerous manner and cut off another driver 
  • Front drivers may lose control and crash, causing a rear driver to hit them 
  • Front drivers may drive in a reckless manner and cause a rear-end collision 
  • Front drivers may also slam on the brakes suddenly for no reason and not give the rear driver any time to react


Am I The At-Fault Driver In A Rear-End Collision?

Whether you are the at-fault driver in a rear-end collision depends on a number of factors. Every automobile accident is different, and fault is never automatically assigned in any case. Even if fault is presumed, you can challenge that presumption.


To have rights in a rear-end collision case, a party needs to prove that the other driver was negligent or demonstrated a reckless disregard for the basic traffic rules. A driver who does so should be fully liable for the losses of others who suffer injuries. 


Consult with a Montgomery Car Accident Attorney Today

The other driver may be the at-fault driver in your rear-end collision, and you should have a Montgomery car accident lawyer evaluate your rights. Contact the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. today to schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the facts of your case. Having an experienced attorney represent you in a rear-end collision case can help you recover the financial compensation you are entitled to under the law. 

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors.

 

With offices located in downtown Montgomery, The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr., serves Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County, the River Region of Alabama and throughout the State of Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka, Prattville, Selma and Tuskegee. No attorney-client relationship is established by requesting a consultation or emailing Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr.. Information submitted in such communication is not privileged and may be subject to disclosure. 

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