In some crash scenarios, police officers have to investigate carefully to determine who is at fault. Other times, people can easily determine who was to blame for the wreck. If one driver runs a red light, for example, their failure to stop makes them culpable for the crash.
There are some scenarios in which people might assume fault incorrectly. For example, people often jump to conclusions after a rear-end collision. Many motorists may assume that the driver in the rear vehicle is automatically to blame, but that isn’t necessarily true.
Why do people assume fault?
The reason that people often assume that the rear driver is at fault is relatively simple. Drivers have to monitor their surroundings and maintain an appropriate following distance in traffic.
Most of the time, people should maintain a minimum three-second following distance between their vehicles and the vehicles in front of them in traffic. However, when the roads are slick or there are other concerns, increasing that following distance may be the best choice.
While many rear-end crashes occur because of tailgating or the failure to maintain a proper following distance, some rear-end crashes are the fault of the driver in front.
How does the front vehicle cause a rear-end crash?
There are three main ways in which the driver of the vehicle in front could cause a rear-end crash. The first is a failure to use turn signals. If people do not indicate their intent to maneuver, drivers around them cannot slow down or otherwise accommodate them.
The second is through improper maintenance of a vehicle. If the brake lights or turn signals on a vehicle burn out and the driver does not replace them, the people behind them in traffic may not know what they intend to do next.
In some cases, aggressive driving is what causes a rear-end crash. Specifically, if a motorist merges or turns too close in front of another vehicle, the vehicle they cut off may not be able to respond in time.
Communicating about what happened prior to a rear-end crash can help ensure that police reports contain accurate information. An accurate designation of fault is crucial for those hoping to pursue compensation following a motor vehicle collision. Insurance claims and lawsuits both require evidence that the other party was at fault because of negligent behavior or misconduct.