Rear-end collisions are a common safety issue in New York. According to state-authored safety manuals, approximately four out of every 10 crashes reported in New York are rear-end collisions.
As is true of any other type of crash, rear-end collisions can produce property damage expenses and injuries. The people involved in these collisions may have the right to request compensation based on fault.
The driver who caused the crash is typically responsible for the costs of the crash. If they cannot provide adequate insurance coverage, then a lawsuit might be necessary. Who is usually to blame for a rear-end crash?
The rear driver is often at fault
People tend to assume that the driver in the rear vehicle is always to blame for a rear-end crash. After all, these wrecks are often the result of tailgating.
Drivers get too close to the vehicles in front of them in traffic and then cannot slow down or stop as necessary. Distraction caused by mobile devices may worsen the risks of tailgating. If a driver failed to maintain a reasonable following distance, then they may be at fault for a rear-end crash.
However, the front driver could be at fault as well. Maintenance issues could result in turn signals or brake lights not illuminating when they should. Overly-aggressive maneuvers could also lead to one driver cutting another off and causing a preventable crash.
Drivers involved in rear-end collisions may need to document the situation carefully and assert themselves to law enforcement professionals to ensure that the right party faces liability for the wreck. Having support when seeking compensation after a costly rear-end crash can help drivers prove who was at fault and pursue compensation for their losses.