Who is at Fault in Rear-End Car Accidents in Ohio?

Car accidents range in severity from minor fender benders to major collisions causing serious injury or loss of life. One of the most common types of automobile accidents is a rear-end collision. When a driver slams into the car in front of them it’s called a rear-end collision and is sometimes written off as a minor accident. Rear-end collisions can be far from minor with nearly 80,000 reported instances occurring annually in the state of Ohio alone, which lead to approximately 20,000 injuries resulting in 60 fatalities each year. 

The personal injury attorneys at Schiff & Associates serving the Columbus, OH and surrounding areas are all too familiar with the types of serious injuries rear-end collisions cause. We have helped many Ohioans who have experienced severe injuries or experienced wrongful death due to these mostly preventable accidents. 

Who’s at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Ohio? 

While many people think that the driver who rear-ended the car in front of them is always to blame, that is not always the case. Either driver could be responsible in some cases, depending on the facts of the situation. 

If the driver who was in the front and was rear-ended was following all traffic laws, they will most likely not be held responsible and are usually not at fault. The rear driver who ran into the car in front of them could have been following too closely or could have been exceeding the speed limit without having adequate time to stop. 

If the front driver is negligent, however, they could be responsible if they failed to signal a turn, failed to make it clear they were braking or were driving without brake lights, or if they suddenly went into reverse without paying attention. 

The most common cause of rear-end accidents is when the rear driver fails to recognize that the car in front of them has stopped either at a stop sign, stop light, when making a turn or entering a lower speed limit zone. 

Drivers who maintain a safe distance behind the cars in front of them and use brake lights and turn signals properly is the best way to avoid rear-end collisions. 

Contact and Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Ohio

If you have been injured in a rear-end collision, you may have experienced minor or serious injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or the most common injury from this type of accident which is whiplash. These are not minor injuries and may cause life long symptoms affecting your quality of life. 

You need an experienced car accident attorney to fight for your rights and the settlement you deserve. Serious injuries cause enough pain and suffering for those affected, seeking monetary damages for your losses will at least help to ease financial burden. 

Schiff & Associates has over 35 years of experience in getting accident victims the settlement they deserve. We offer free initial consultations and work with you on a contingency basis. Contact Schiff & Associates for a free consultation and to learn what your case is worth if you’ve been injured in a car accident in Ohio.