Determining who was at fault for a car crash is important for the people involved in the wreck. The driver who is at fault typically has financial responsibility to the people affected by the collision.
Most motorists protect themselves from direct financial liability by carrying insurance. In cases involving uninsured drivers or particularly severe crash injuries, the motorist at fault for a wreck might be subject to civil litigation. The parties injured in the crash may take legal action seeking to recoup their losses.
In some crash scenarios, fault is very clear. Other times, there may be questions about who is to blame. Those involved in rear-end crashes may rush to blame the rear driver, but the truth is that either driver might have been at fault.
How rear drivers cause rear-end crashes
The reason that people often assume the rear driver is at fault for a rear-end crash is simple. Many times they are the party to blame for the collision. Drivers have an obligation to maintain an appropriate and safe following distance based on the capabilities of their vehicles and road conditions. Often, the driver in the rear vehicle causes a rear-end crash by tailgating or driving too close to the vehicle in front.
Drivers can increase their risk of causing a rear-end crash by exceeding the speed limit or becoming distracted while driving, possibly because of mobile devices. When drivers don’t monitor their surroundings and leave adequate space between vehicles, they may cause a rear-end crash.
How front drivers cause rear-end crashes
Although people often blame the driver in the rear vehicle, the driver in the front vehicle could also be at fault. Maintenance issues could lead to a preventable rear-end collision. If a driver lets their brake lights or turn signals burn out, others may not be able to infer their intentions in traffic.
Even with a vehicle in perfect working condition, the failure to use turn signals or waiting until the last possible second to apply the brakes could create a scenario in which other drivers cannot respond effectively in traffic. People need time to react to intended traffic maneuvers.
The driver in the front vehicle could also cause a rear-end crash by cutting someone else off in traffic. Turning onto a road too abruptly, merging too close in front of another vehicle or passing without leaving enough space are all choices that can cause rear-end collisions.
Drivers may need to review what happened before a rear-end crash with a skilled legal team if they hope to hold the other driver involved in the incident accountable. Proving who was at fault is the first step toward holding a driver accountable for unsafe behavior in traffic.