Rear-End Car Accidents – Who’s at Fault?
March 17, 2015
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 percent of all car accidents involve rear-end collisions. While the majority of rear-end collisions are the fault of the following driver (the driver who does the rear-ending), it is possible for the lead driver to be responsible for a rear-end collision as well. Jodat Law Group’s experienced car accident and rear-end collision lawyers can help you get the results you deserve. We help people get back on their feet!
Rear-End Collisions where the Following Driver is at Fault
Rear-end collisions can happen anywhere. From busy intersections to highways where it takes less than five seconds to drive the length of a football field, it only takes a momentary lapse in concentration for a driver to cause a rear-end accident. Some of the most common causes of rear-end collisions in Florida and throughout the country include:
- Distracted Driving – Talking on the phone, texting, eating, and other driver distractions frequently lead to rear-end collisions.
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs – Driving under the influence significantly impairs drivers’ reaction times and makes them much more likely to cause rear-end car accidents.
- Speeding – Speeding affects braking distance, and can also skew drivers’ depth perception. Both of these factors frequently lead to dangerous collisions, especially on highways and near intersections where traffic can stop suddenly.
- Tailgating – Regardless of speed, tailgating is a common culprit in rear-end collisions.
- Unsafe Driving for the Conditions – What is safe on a dry, sunny day may not be safe in one of Florida’s rainstorms. Drivers who fail to account for weather conditions can be held liable for causing rear-end car accidents.
Rear-End Collisions where the Lead Driver is at Fault
While following drivers are often to blame in rear-end collisions, sometimes the drivers in front of them create situations where there is nothing they can do to avoid an accident. In these cases, the lead driver may be at fault for causing the accident. This may be the case where:
- The lead driver fails to change a burnt-out brake light bulb.
- The lead driver fails to move out of the flow of traffic or use their hazard indicators when their vehicle becomes disabled.
- The lead driver reverses suddenly in a parking lot or shopping area.
- The lead driver suddenly brakes hard causing a dangerous situation.
Is it Possible for Someone Else to be at Fault?
It is also possible for someone other than the two drivers involved to be responsible for the accident. For example, a collision may be part of a chain-reaction accident caused by another driver. Or, one of the drivers may have lost control due to a vehicle defect or a dangerous condition existing on the road (such as a pothole or sinkhole). In these and other situations, both drivers involved in the rear-end collision may be entitled to financial compensation.
Contact Jodat Law Group – Your Rear-End Collision Lawyer
The attorneys at Jodat Law Group have over 20 years of experience helping car accident victims fight for just compensation. To schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation, call us at 877-JodatLaw or contact us online today.