Rear-End Car Wreck – Who’s at Fault?
In an accident? Contact your Car wreck lawyer in Sarasota & Bradenton – Jodat Law Group, PA
Rear-end collisions. They are the single most-common type of auto accident, accounting for nearly a third of all accidents nationwide. In most cases, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is at fault. But, this is not always the case. In fact, rear-end collisions can be extremely complex, and drivers who assume that they were at fault may end up leaving a significant amount of money on the table.
At Jodat Law Group, we have decades of experience helping victims of rear-end collisions fight for fair compensation. We are intimately familiar with the factual and legal issues involved in these complicated cases, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our clients obtain the largest possible settlements and verdicts for their losses. If you have been injured in a rear-end collision, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation. Don’t let your opportunity to recover compensation for your medical bills and other losses pass you by.
Determining Fault in Rear-End Collisions
In any car accident, determining fault is a matter of identifying the cause (or causes) of the collision. This starts with a thorough examination of the evidence that is available – which is another reason why it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Skid marks, the location and extent of damage to both vehicles, the nature and severity of drivers’ and passengers’ injuries, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and a variety of other information may all be important to proving your claim for damages. Police reports, testimony from eyewitnesses, and photographs can all be important evidence as well. When you work with us, we will examine all of the available evidence in order to identify who is responsible for your rear-end collision.
Who’s at Fault?
The Driver Who Does the Rear-Ending
Most rear-end collisions are the fault of the driver who does the rear-ending. Drivers who see (or don’t see) a car fast approaching in their rear-view mirrors are often powerless to avoid being hit. There are any number of reasons why a driver may fail to stop in time to avoid a rear-end collision, but some of the most common include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications
- Failing to account for rain or other dangerous road conditions
- Speeding and other reckless driving
- Tailgating
- Talking on the phone, texting, talking to passengers, and other forms of distracted driving
The Driver Who Gets Rear-Ended
In some cases, the driver who gets rear-ended can be held responsible for the accident. For example, imagine you were driving along and the car in front of you stopped suddenly and for no apparent reason. You are also pretty sure that you never saw any brake lights. In this situation, our attorneys may be able to prove that the driver in front of you created a dangerous situation, and was also negligent in failing to repair their burnt-out brake lights. This is a common scenario where the driver who gets rear-ended may actually be to blame.
Another common – and extremely dangerous – scenario arises when someone’s car breaks down and they fail to use their hazard signal or move the car out of the flow of traffic on a busy highway. This can lead to high-speed rear-end collisions which often result in serious injuries. As a third example, a driver who reverses suddenly in a parking lot or crowded shopping area can be held liable when they cause a rear-end collision as well.
Another Driver
Another possibility that many accident victims overlook is that another driver may be responsible for their rear-end collision. This may be the case if:
- One car causes a chain-reaction with multiple-rear end collisions
- A driver two cars ahead of you loses control, causing the car directly ahead of you to brake suddenly
- A driver makes an unexpected or illegal maneuver in an intersection, forcing other drivers into an unavoidable collision
These are just a few examples. There are many other ways in which a third driver could be responsible for your rear-end collision as well. Jodat Law Group, the Car Wreck Lawyer in Saraasota can help you.
A Party Not Directly Involved in the Accident
Finally, it is entirely possible – and not at all uncommon – for a party not directly involved in the accident to be liable for injuries and losses sustained in a rear-end collision. Depending on the facts at hand, you may be entitled to compensation from:
- Manufacturers and sellers of defective parts in your vehicle or someone else’s
- Repair and maintenance shops that performed faulty service
- The other driver’s employer, if they were working at the time of the accident
- The government agency or company responsible for maintaining the roadway or parking lot
Again, these are just some of the most common examples. For a thorough evaluation of the facts involved in your accident, please contact us today.
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Our Car Wreck Lawyers in Sarasota are here to help you!
Jodat Law Group provides experienced, aggressive representation for auto accident victims in Florida. Call us at (877) JODAT LAW or contact us online now to request your free consultation.
