Consequence of accepting liability?

My partner crashed the car into the back of someones car who stopped needlessly and very suddenly. What are the consequenses of accecpting liability for this? And what if he doesnt accept liability?
My partner understands that according to the highway code it is his fault because he must have been too close (he knows he was not driving too fast also the airbag did not release) but it was very sudden and the other driver had no reason in the world to stop so suddenly after driving down a straight road which was clear and no hazzards to jump out at you. Plus the other driver only got a dent in his bumper while my cars front is completely smashed!
Additional Details
OMG!!! I didn't think there were such nasty people out there that would try do such a thing! I'm advising my partner of your answers, thank you so much for your responses so far.

Mark J

Never accept liability, leave it to the insurance companies to sort out. That is what they are there for.

Just send them all the facts of the situation. I bet you the other drivers story is different to yours, he will find an excuse for stopping suddenly (true of not).

This could be the other driver trying to defraud the insurance company and claim for whiplash or personal injury.

Bardic

DON'T accept or deny liability.
Just tell your insurers what happened, give them the name & address & the registration number of the other party and leave it to them to sort out.
Any correspondence you receive should be passed straight on to your insurers.
There is a favourite scam being used where some scrote buys an old banger, waits until someone is close behind and deliberately slams on the anchors. Then they exaggerate claims in the subsequent insurance kerfuffle. This may not be the case here, but your insurers will sort it out. That's what you pay them for.

Chris

Let me chime in as well and say that you should let insurance handle this. They may end up paying it if there's no proof of the sudden stop (you're going to at least need an independent witness- without one there is no proof unless this person admits to stopping for no reason) but at least you won't have to incur the expense and potential headache handling this out of pocket will bring.

Thunderstruck

I was involved in an accident where somebody drove in to the back of my car in a similar situation. Basicly the person in front of you is allowed to do what ever they like aslong as they adhere to the highway code. Breaking suddenly for whatever reason is allowed.

In my situation the person who collided with me wouldnt accept the liabilty and the case ended up in the small claims court. My insurers sent along a barrister to fight my case and the guilty party had to claim on his insurance and also pay court costs.

Basicly, no matter what the situation. If the person in front stops, you should be able to safely stop without contact with the vehical infront.

I wouldn't try to fight this, i'd just get your insurance to pay out, and just treat the whole thing as a lesson.

PeppermintandPopcorn

If you have insurance - they will pay for the other parties damages. If not, you pay for the damages out of pocket.

Any activity in driving history will increase the insurance rate. And yes, most of the time rear-end accidents are at-fault, however the insurance company will investigate and fraud on either parties fault. If you suspect that this was done on purpose, let them know.

richiesown

You'll find at the end of the day your partner is still liable! all the halaboo does is allow the insurance companies to play for time and reach a lower settlement, it's as good as out of your hands only your statement will be required, but never admit to anything.. it's the law now as Tony and the gang seem to live by it.

TINKERBELL

If there was any witnesses (other than people in your car) that can vouch that he stopped unexpectedly for no reason then you may have a chance. If no witnesses in the eyes of the law you are in the wrong for going into the back of him (unfair but true). If you accept liability you will have to pay the excess on his insurance to him and your own excess for repairs to your car and then his insurance will claim off of yours for damage to his car (please note he may also try and wangle a supposed whiplash injury and make more money from it like a lot of people do these days!) and you accept liability then your insurance will have to fork out for that too. Your premiums will go up now as well. Sorry to hear of your situation. Hope it works out ok for you.

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