Last updated on October 21st, 2026 at 05:50 am
The most common type of accident is the rear-end car collision. These accidents are so common that it can be difficult to understand the laws around rear-end accidents. You may have many of the same misconceptions regarding rear-end accidents as others. One example is the belief that rear-end accidents are always the fault of the rear driver.
This is not always true. This article will explain how to determine if you are at fault for a rear-end collision and what your responsibility is. Contact our Los Angeles car accident lawyer today for more information.
When You’re the Rear Driver
In a rear-end collision, the other driver and the insurance company may both assume that you are the one responsible. But just because you are the rear driver does not mean that you are to blame. Rear-end collisions can also be caused by things that have nothing to do with the rear driver’s actions, such as:
- The forward driver brakes abruptly and unintentionally without any good reason.
- The rear brakes of the driver’s vehicle are not working properly.
- The brake lights and tail lights of the forward vehicle are damaged.
- The forward driver causes the accident by turning or changing lanes in front of the rear driver.
Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help you prove that one of the factors mentioned above could have contributed to your accident.
When You’re the Driver Who Gets Hit
If you are the driver who has been hit from behind, and none of these applies to you, then chances are the rear driver was:
- Following too closely
- Tailgating
- Driving aggressively
- Distracted
- Driving while impaired or fatigued.
Our personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles can also open an investigation into your case to prove the other driver was at fault.
Don’t Assume You’re at Fault
Do not assume you are at fault in a rear-end collision just because the other driver or an insurance company has told you so. Don’t accept a settlement offer. You have the right to refuse a settlement offer and negotiate for fair compensation.
How Do I Show Who Was at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?
People who are involved in a rear-end crash have to show proof of who was at fault. You can support your claim in several different ways. Witnesses may be willing to help you, and you can call the police to make a report or take pictures of the skid marks and other damage.
In the most difficult cases, an expert accident reconstructionist can be helpful. They can help piece together what happened in the crash so that things like speed and carelessness can be judged. Lastly, if you think the accident might have been caused by a design flaw or defective part, you can have your car checked out by a professional to see if other drivers of that make and model have reported similar issues.
What Are the Steps in the Investigation Process?
We carefully investigate what happened in your accident, collect all the proof we need to protect your rights, and find out who was at fault. Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers use particular tactics and strategies to hold the careless driver responsible for the accident.
If you believe you weren’t at fault for hitting another car from behind, our law firm can help you. It’s important to get skilled help from us.
How Can Our Lawyers Help?
If you were in a rear-end accident and there is a dispute about who was at fault, you need to get help from a trained professional immediately. Our Stenson Law attorneys have a history of getting good client results. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s carelessness.
We will look into your accident in great detail, gathering all the proof we need to protect your rights and show who was at fault in your case. Our Stenson Law accident lawyers are ready to fight hard to help you get the careless driver to pay for the crash.
Get in Touch with Stenson Law Right Now
If you hit someone from behind and think you weren’t at fault, please call our law firm immediately. Let us help you hold the careless driver accountable for the accident.
Call Our Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Today
Los Angeles rear-end collisions can result in you being held responsible even if your actions were not negligent. You can trust our experienced team of car accident lawyers to do everything possible for you. To start an investigation into your case, all you need to do is call us. Free consultations are available, and we work on a contingency basis. To get started, contact us by phone or online.
