If you’re in your car and another driver smashes into the back of your car, is it possible for you to be found liable or at-fault in the accident? The answer may surprise you because there are instances in which a driver who is involved in a rear-end collision is determined to be at least partially at fault. If you have been in a crash, then it may be sensible to contact a car accident attorney for help.
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident. Thousands of people are hurt or killed in these crashes every year, and this is unlikely to change. In the majority of these accidents, it is the driver who rear ends the other car who is completely at fault, but this isn’t always the case.
For instance, if the driver who was rear ended was driving illegally, then they may be at least partially at fault. Whenever a driver operates a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are engaging in illegal behavior. Additionally, a driver whose license is suspended or revoked when they are involved in the accident may find themselves in even more legal trouble. A car accident lawyer is an indispensable ally in this situation.
Another situation that may lead to the car crash victim being partially responsible for the incident arises when a vehicle is not properly maintained. Usually, this relates to malfunctioning brake lights. If the brake lights are not operational, then other drivers do not receive sufficient warning when the driver in front of them must stop. If the police investigation uncovers that the brake lights weren’t working, then the driver may be somewhat responsible for the accident.
Drivers who fail to yield when directed to do so via road signs or the rules of the road similarly may be considered partially at fault when they are rear ended. It seems like everyone is in a hurry these days, and some drivers don’t take adequate care when they are supposed to yield or merge. If they are rear ended, it’s easy for them to believe that the other driver is entirely to blame. However, the police investigation may reveal the driver’s failure to yield, and this means that this driver must share a portion of the blame.
Any driver who backs into another car may find themselves being held responsible for the crash. This is another one of those situations that arises when drivers are in a hurry and don’t look carefully before stepping on the gas. A little bit of caution would save many drivers from backing into someone else’s car.
U-turns are another maneuver that frequently leads to rear-end crashes. Usually, this occurs when a driver makes an improper u-turn in a zone where the maneuver is not allowed. The driver making the illegal u-turn generally will be held accountable for the collision because they were doing something that they weren’t supposed to be doing.
At the Law Offices of David Kohm, you will find skilled and experienced legal representation when you have been involved in a rear-end accident. The police investigation will establish precisely what happened, which will help to determine whether only one party was responsible for the crash or if the responsibility should be shared. With the assistance of a car accident lawyer, it may be possible to argue that you are not as responsible for the collision as the police investigation concluded.
Moreover, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and the damage sustained by your property, even if you were partially at fault, when you work with a car accident attorney.
Call our law offices today at any of our convenient locations and get a free consultation.
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