Hundreds of thousands of road traffic accidents involving rear-end collisions take place every year, with insurance bodies estimating that they account for a quarter of all accidents on UK roads. Rear-end collisions are common in congested urban areas, particularly at junctions and roundabouts, where motorists are often in a rush, and the build up of traffic can cause tempers to fray.
During the winter months, shorter daylight hours, heavy rain, fog, ice and snow can result in reduced visibility on the roads, while wet road surfaces mean tyres have less grip when braking, all making rear-end shunts more likely.
If a Vehicle Crashed Into the Back of My Car Who is at Fault?
If someone crashes into the back of your car who is at fault? In the vast majority of cases, responsibility will lie with the driver of the vehicle that crashes into the back of the vehicle in front. This is because motorists are expected to always allow sufficient distance to enable them to brake and avoid a collision in the event of a vehicle in front of them stopping suddenly. This is entirely logical, as a vehicle may stop without warning for various reasons, for example, due to a mechanical fault or to avoid a collision with an object in the road. As per the Highway Code, the safe stopping distance at 40mph is 9 car lengths (36 metres), and at 30mph, 6 car lengths (23 metres). During rainy conditions these distances should be multiplied by 2, and on icy roads by 10.
Liability for Rear-End Collisions Involving Multiple Vehicles
Rear-end collisions may also involve multiple vehicles, such as when the front vehicle brakes suddenly, and the vehicle immediately behind it brakes in sufficient time to avoid a collision, but is then hit from behind by a third vehicle, propelling the second vehicle into the rear of the front vehicle. In this instance, the driver of the third vehicle could be held liable for damage to both the vehicles in front. In other scenarios, liability may be split between the different vehicles involved in a rear-end collision, as each case is judged on its precise circumstances, which are often unique, and sometimes one driver cannot be held wholly responsible for an accident.
Driver Responsibility and Fraudulent Insurance Claims
If a driver has not left enough distance to be able to stop safely without hitting the rear of a vehicle in front that has stopped suddenly, they will normally be held to have been driving without due care and attention, and will be legally liable for the vehicle damage and any injuries that their driving behaviour has caused. This would not be the case, however, if the driver in front was judged to have braked suddenly with the intention of causing a collision, as is sometimes the case when the driver’s purpose is to later submit a fraudulent insurance claim.
Solicitors Claiming Compensation for Road Traffic Accidents
Over the last 40 years Bartletts Solicitors has successfully claimed compensation for 1,000’s of road users injured due to reckless and negligent driving. Bartletts have a tradition of commitment, hard work, and the highest levels of expertise in advising people injured due to reckless driving on their legal rights. Client care is our highest priority. Our specialist solicitors ensure that you are always kept up to date with every aspect of your case, and we aim obtain the maximum amount of damages for our clients with the minimum of fuss.
Make a free compensation enquiry today
For specialist advice on your personal injury claim, call us now on Liverpool 0151 227 3391 or Chester 01244 645830 or Wrexham 01978 360056 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.
