I got rearended tonight. Is it always the other guys fault if that happens?

Wendy

I believe the law states that you are suppose to leave enough distance between yourself and the car in front of you for just that reason, in case they stop suddenly. That is why in almost all cases the person who rear-ended you is at fault, even in a multi-car pile-up.

It doesn't matter why you stopped... even if the guy in front of you caused the chain-reaction, you managed to miss hitting him because you had enough room. The person behind you should have been paying attention.

On the other hand, if you cut the guy off and then he hit you because he didn't have enough time or space to react, that is a different story.

jglick1999

It's his fault (unless you live in a "no fault" state, were no person is assigned the "blame"). The motorist behind is responsible for maintaing sufficient distance to stop safely, regardless of why you might have had to stop suddenly (lots of potential reasons: something in the road, cat runs in front of your car, etc.).

Rumisha R

first off what did the cop say ? But from what I understand, some one rear-ends you it is their fault!

Iam!!

In most cases yes.

Grumble

No the person that rearends you will get cited for not assuring safe distance.

Batman's Alter Ego

No, Its not your fault. The guy who hit you from the back should be at fault. I've been working at the car industry for a few years now. Many experiences would be that your not at fault, and your liable to claim compensation from him. Good luck.

Shirley

In almost all cases, in my opinion, it is the other person's fault who rear ends you, because they are supposed to be paying attention to the car in front of them. In your case, the other driver may have been following too close behind you when you stopped and they hit you. You have to leave enough breaking time between cars. At least one car length's worth.

I got hit over a year ago in the front of my car, and I was not found to be at fault. I was parked, and the idiot lady pulled over to park in front of me, and then just backed up into me, even after I honked for minutes! That's a rare exception to a driver being hit in the front of their car and the other driver to be found at fault. But, it wasn't an easy win for me. I had one witness and I took pictures of my car and the proximity of my car as to where the other driver had initially pulled over.

I would suggest you fight your situation. You obviously didn't want to hit the car in front of you who stopped, so the driver behind you should have been paying attention.
Good luck to you.

fire4511

If you were hit in the rear, it is the fault of the driver of the vehicle that hit you! The law requires that you maintain control of your vehicle at all times! You have to allow enough room to stop in an emergency! The striking driver did not do so, and therefore is at fault!

Druid

>If you weren't backing up it's not your fault.<

CLD

It doesn't matter what you or the other guy say, it matters what the judge says if it gets that far.

In all probability (assuming you're both insured) his carrier will want to settle. If they ask you if you had any physical injury, say you don't know....9 times out of 10 they'll make an offer right then as an incentive for you not to see a doctor.

Vince M

In your situation, as you described it, it may not be your fault, but, I CAN be.

Consider this, you have described that you slowed down because a car in front of you slowed down.

THEN you say that you were turning right, and stopped to check for oncoming traffic. (I will assume that you meant cross traffic coming from the left)

These two situations read like different versions of what happened.

Situation #1. You slowed (and stopped) because the car in front slowed. If your brake lights were not working properly, YOU may be assigned a percentage of responsibility, because YOU, as the vehicle's operator, are responisble for the proper operation of safety equipment.

Situation #2. You stopped because you wanted to check for traffic before making a turn. (WHAT happened to the car that slowed down in front of you? Did he continue across the intersection?) If the light was green, (allowing the front car to continue) then you did not need to come to a stop, and, in fact, should NOT have stopped, but, merely slowed down to observe for oncoming cross traffic. If this was the case, again, YOU may be assigned some financial responsibility.

So, we can't give you a good assesment of "who's fault" it is because of an inconsistancy in your story and because we don't have all the information needed to give you a good answer.

furmanator1957

yes is always the other person fault

Meklar

As far as I know, it's almost always considered the fault of the person in the back. That said, there are probably certain exceptions, and the final decision would have to rest with the insurance company or some law official investigating the case. You're probably okay, but you had better make sure.

barbadenieve

Most of the time in a rear end accident is at fault, however if the person slams on the brakes for no reason they can be cited.

scott

there is no way possible for that to be your fault.the other driver hit you and you didn't break any traffic laws when he hit you. if you were cited i would fight it in court

john_mgd

in my state we have no-fault insurance so i'm not 100% sure but i've always heard that it IS the other driver's fault if you get rearended. the only way i could possibly imagine it being your fault is if all of your brake lights were burned out and it was a busy road or something.

uusman_92

Did you look at the guy's car? If he has a lot of dents in his car, he is probably at fault and is trying to elicit money out of you. If he was tailgating you, you could probably fight it. Did you have anyone else in the car? If you did, then they can vouch for you. It is probably his fault.

UCANTCME

99.9% OF THE TIME IT WILL BE THE DRIVER THAT HIT YOU FROM BEHIND FAULT.

Harlan

it is like 78% of the time.
but every once in a while ppl just brake 4 no reason

**Arlene13**

UMM i don't know life is anfair:) LOL mine isn't i love my life:)

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