People often rush to conclusions after crashes. Some individuals want to avoid taking personal responsibility whenever possible. People may lie to themselves about how unsafe their behavior in traffic actually is. Others simply lie to law enforcement professionals during the crash investigation process.
On the surface, rear-end crashes may seem easy to analyze. However, the details of the situation can directly influence which driver is at fault for the crash and therefore which driver is liable. Determining who is at fault for a crash is an important concern. Fault for the collision influences eligibility for compensation and liability for the losses of others.
The Rear Driver is Often to Blame
People tend to assume that the driver in the rear vehicle is at fault in a rear-end crash scenario. After all, many rear-end collisions are the result of one motorist failing to maintain an appropriate following distance. They get too close to another vehicle in traffic, and then they cannot stop in time when something unexpected happens. Tailgating is a leading cause of rear-end collisions, and drivers who can prove that the vehicle behind them was too close can potentially hold the driver of the rear vehicle accountable for the resulting wreck.
The Front Driver Might Be at Fault
The rear driver isn’t always the party responsible for a rear-end collision. Sometimes, the driver in front did something unsafe that caused the crash. Oftentimes, a failure to maintain a vehicle or use communication systems is to blame for a rear-end collision. Drivers who fail to use their turn indicators or who do not maintain their brake lights can cause a rear-end collision when other drivers don’t know what they intend to do. Maneuvers in traffic can also be the underlying cause of a crash.
Sometimes, one driver cuts another vehicle off by turning or merging in front of it with little forewarning. Drivers who do not leave adequate space when turning or merging and who do not bring their vehicles up to speed quickly can cause a rear-end crash because the driver behind them doesn’t have sufficient time to respond.
Rear-end collisions can cause injuries ranging from whiplash and broken bones to amputation and death. It is, therefore, crucial to establish who is that fault if one party requires compensation after a wreck. Providing appropriate information to police officers can help them determine who is at fault for a recent rear-end crash. An accurate police report may help an injured party pursue an insurance claim or initiate civil litigation following a collision.The post Who is actually to blame for a rear-end crash? first appeared on Haxel Law .