Is the driver of the rear vehicle always at fault in a rear-end car accident case?

When a car and the vehicle in front of it collide, resulting in a rear-end accident, the prevailing wisdom is that the driver of the second vehicle is almost always at fault, as they had a duty to follow at a safe distance and—had they done so—could presumably have prevented the crash. While this is often the case, the presumption that the second driver is always to blame doesn't hold true for every rear-end accident.

In fact, there are a number of rear-end collision scenarios where the blame—and, more importantly, liability—may not rest solely on the driver of the second vehicle, including instances in which:

• The driver of the first vehicle reverses without warning.
• The first driver's brake lights were not working.
• The driver of the first vehicle stops suddenly to make a turn but fails to actually execute the turn.
• The first driver experiences a vehicle maintenance issue—such as a flat tire—but fails to safely pull over or turn on the hazard lights.

In the above examples, the driver of the first vehicle may be considered negligent and, thus, at least partially responsible for the accident and subsequent damage.

Do You Need an Experienced Car Crash Lawyer?

If you were injured or sustained significant property damage in a Delaware rear-end car wreck that wasn't your fault, the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Morris James can help you explore your options for compensation. 

Fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment for a free, no-obligation-case consultation, or call us at 302.655.2599 for a prompt response.