Rear-End Collisions: Who’s Responsible?

Rear-end collisions caused 7.5% of all US traffic fatalities in 2022. In Florida, over 100,000 accidents are caused by rear-end collisions each year. While most people think the driver who hits another from behind is always at fault for the accident, determining who pays for repairs and compensation after these collisions isn’t always clear. Here is what you need to know about who’s responsible for compensation after a rear-end collision in Florida.

Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions

The most common reasons for rear-end collisions include distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, inclement weather, driving under the influence, and failure to adhere to traffic signals. Rear-end collisions happen when a driver fails to see that the traffic in front of them has slowed down, fails to notice that the car in front of them is turning, or when one car tries to speed through a yellow light. Drivers who hit a car from behind are often cited for following too closely, which prohibits them from stopping in enough time before hitting the car in front of them.

Who’s Responsible for a Rear-End Collision?

In Florida, there is a reasonable presumption that the driver who hit the vehicle in front of them is at fault. This means the driver who rear-ended the other vehicle must provide evidence that they weren’t responsible for the accident. This can sometimes happen if evidence suggests that the car in front of them was stopped illegally, impeded traffic, or had broken brake lights.

Who Pays For A Rear-End Collision?

Florida drivers involved in a car accident must first contact their own insurance and file an injury claim through their auto insurance PIP coverage. The minimum PIP coverage in Florida is $10,000. However, PIP only covers 80% of your medical costs and 60% of lost wages. To receive compensation for the full extent of your damages, you can contact an Orlando car accident attorney to file a lawsuit with the responsible driver’s insurance company to seek the remaining damages.

Who’s Responsible When a Rear-End Collision Causes a Chain Reaction?

When a rear-end collision happens at a stop light, the force of the impact may cause the second car to hit the car in front of them (and so on), setting off a chain reaction of rear-end collisions involving several vehicles. In these cases, the driver who hit the first car from behind would be responsible for all the subsequent collisions. Receiving compensation for these accidents is challenging due to the number of vehicles and drivers involved. It’s crucial to have an Orlando car accident attorney on your side in these collisions to fight for you and help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

What to do After Getting into a Rear-End Collision

After getting into a rear-end collision, move the vehicles out of the roadway and into a safe location if possible. Then, call the police to ensure a police report is filed and paramedics come to the scene. Take pictures of the accident scene and the surrounding area to provide context of the circumstances that led to the accident. Even if you don’t feel hurt initially, get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after the accident. Some injuries may take weeks or months to feel, but a doctor can help assess any injuries you might have suffered in the accident.

You only have 14 days after the accident to file a PIP claim with your insurance. If you miss the 14-day deadline, your insurance won’t pay for medical costs related to the accident. Once you’ve received medical attention, contact your insurance company to open a claim. Then, call an Orlando car accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Don’t make any official statements to your insurance before contacting an attorney.

Badgley Law Group: Orlando Car Accident Attorneys

Rear-end collisions are complicated to navigate, especially when they involve multiple drivers, all with property damage and injuries. Don’t go through the claim process alone. Let our team at Badgley Law Group represent you and help you recover all your damages after an accident. Contact us online or call us at 407-781-0420 for a free consultation.