Whenever you are injured in a car accident caused by another driver, you must prove the other driver’s fault in causing the crash. Fortunately, it may be easier for you to prove the driver’s liability in a rear-end collision. However, without the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney, it may be difficult to establish fault and receive fair compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.
Who Is Liable in a Rear-End Collision in Norfolk?
In Virginia, all drivers are required to maintain a safe distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them so that they can slow or stop quickly if necessary. Because of this, the driver in the rear will almost always be presumed to be the at-fault driver. In some cases, the negligent driver’s insurance company will not argue about liability, but this does not mean that the insurance adjuster will not dispute the seriousness of a victim’s injuries.
There are some exceptions to the general rule that the driver in the rear was negligent. The driver in the front could be found partially or completely liable in these situations:
- He reversed suddenly.
- He started to turn but failed to complete the turn and went forward instead.
- He put on his signal to merge into another lane and started to merge but suddenly changed his mind.
- His brake lights did not work properly.
- He had a flat tire or other maintenance problem with his vehicle but did not pull over.
Multi-Vehicle Rear-End Collisions
In some cases, a rear-end collision will cause a multi-vehicle accident involving three or more vehicles. In this type of crash, the driver who initially caused the crash may be liable to all of the accident victims if the driver in the middle was stopped at a light or was otherwise driving safely. Determining the negligent parties and negotiating a settlement with the insurance company when there are multiple victims can be complex. You want to retain a lawyer right away if you were hurt in one of these accidents.
Contact an Experienced Norfolk Car Accident Attorney Today
Do you need to file a claim for compensation following a rear-end collision? You can schedule a free consultation with a member of our skilled legal team to get your questions answered and learn more about your legal options. Fill out our online form to schedule your appointment today.
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