Are you to blame after a rear-end auto accident?

There are various ways of getting into an auto accident. Perhaps you weren’t looking in the right direction and got into a head-on collision. Or your car’s tires slipped on a patch of ice, causing you to hit a telephone pole. Or maybe your brakes lock up and you accidently hit someone at a stop sign. Whatever the cause may be, there’s always a reason for a motor vehicle accident. But figuring out the reason behind the accident is always the hard part.

But what about a rear-end collision? Let’s say you are sitting at an intersection, waiting for the red light to change. Just as the light turns green, you feel a sharp thud to the back of your car, jerking your head forward. Someone has just hit your car from behind. Obviously, this means they are at fault for this accident, right?

Well, not exactly. Although it seems pretty cut and dry that since you were hit, the driver was responsible. But there are other factors that could make you responsible for the accident. For instance, you could have done one of the following:

• Hit reverse on the car
• You stop suddenly
• Your brake lights are not working properly
• You plan to turn but fail to do so

In order to prove negligence in a rear-end auto accident, you need to have evidence that the driver was doing something careless at the time of the accident. Try to get eye witness reports and make sure you get a copy of the police report.

If you get into a rear-end collision and are in need of an attorney, we can help! Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.