Many rear-end collisions will result in the driver that hits the lead car as at least partially negligent. Under Pennsylvania law and New Jersey law, a driver has a responsibility to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and follow the rules of the road. When a driver must stop abruptly, the vehicle behind must maintain enough distance to stop safely, as well.
In other cases, the driver of the rear-ended vehicle may be found to be at fault. For example:
If a driver abruptly reverses
A motorist may stop to change a tire, failing to turn on the hazard lights
The vehicle’s brake lights may no longer function
A driver may suddenly stop and signal for a turn, then fail to turn
Additionally, liability can be complex in rear-end car collisions due to comparative negligence. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey follow a comparative negligence method of distributing fault, allocating a percentage of liability. If the driver exceeds 50% responsibility of the crash, they are no longer able to recover any damages from the at-fault driver.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from being rear-ended, please consult with one of our exceptional personal injury lawyers to discuss the liability in your case.