The vehicle in front of you stopped short causing you to crash into the back of it. Now what? Are you going to be held liable since you were the one who collided into the vehicle? Are all rear-end accidents blamed on the driver who was traveling in the back? Both are valid questions and should each be addressed individually. Let’s start with “Are all rear-end accidents blamed on the driver who was traveling in the back.”
While most rear-end accidents are caused by the motorist who was traveling in the back, there are instances where the driver in front may have either contributed to the crash or was outright responsible for it occurring. For instance, if a driver were to stop abruptly causing the vehicle in the back to collide into it, the driver in the front would be liable for the crash. Let’s say a driver unexpectedly merged into your lane and then had to stop. Again, he or she will likely be held responsible for the wreck. So, to answer the question, no, all rear-end accidents are not caused by the motorist who was traveling in the back.
Now, to address the second question, “Am I going to be held liable for rear-ending the vehicle?”
It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident, so yes, you could be held liable or partially liable. For instance, if the driver slammed their brakes and did not give you enough time to stop but you happened to be speeding at the time, you could be held partially responsible for the wreck. However, if you weren’t engaging in any reckless or careless behavior and you were abiding by all traffic laws, then if the driver’s actions who was traveling in front of you caused you to crash into the back of their vehicle, then they should be accountable for the damage caused.
How can I prove I wasn’t actually responsible for causing a rear-end wreck?
Proving fault in an accident can be difficult but obtaining a copy of the police report can help. The police report is expected to provide a detailed explanation as to what happened so that when it comes time to file a claim with the other driver’s insurer, the adjuster overseeing the claim pays it. In the event the crash was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, (THP) you can visit a THP District Office to collect a copy for a fee of $4.00. If the accident occurred in Nashville, you can pick up a copy of the report at the following location between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. C.S.T.
Nashville Highway Patrol Office
1603 Murfreesboro Rd.
Nashville, TN 37217
Phone: (615) 741-3181
Now, if the wreck was investigated by a different agency, you’ll need to visit their location to retrieve a copy of the report. When requesting a copy of the police report, be sure you have the following information handy:
- Date of crash
- County in which crash occurred
- Name(s) of driver(s) involved
- Agency Tracking Number
What if I am being blamed for the accident but I didn’t cause it?
Anytime an individual is involved in an accident in Nashville, they are always encouraged to contact a TN car wreck lawyer as issues like these tend to arise. So, if you are being accused of causing a car accident yet the driver in front of you was actually the responsible party, call TN car wreck attorney George R. Fusner Jr. at 615-251-0005 to find out how he can help you get your problem resolved.
You can reach the Law Office of George R. Fusner Jr. at
7104 Peach Court
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone- 615-251-0005
Fax- 615-370-8447
Website: www.gfusner.com
