The Washington state rear end collision law assumes that the rear driver (the one in the back) causes the crash. In most cases, the driver behind the rear-ended car will be held liable for the damage and injuries caused in the accident. But, in certain situations, the rear driver might have mitigating circumstances, like when the front driver was driving in an unsafe manner, had defective equipment (broken tail lights), or did not allow for enough time to stop. Because these factors might not be immediately obvious, it’s important to check with a seasoned lawyer to see if your case has merit.