Memphis Rear-End Collisions

Often, the driver to the rear is partially or fully to blame for an accident. They may be following too closely or may be distracted or fatigued. However, all drivers are expected to use reasonable care to avoid accidents. The definition of reasonable care depends on the circumstances, but generally it is reasonable to keep a safe distance from cars in front of you and to keep a lookout for sudden changes on the road that would necessitate hitting the brakes. Under Tennessee law, it is unlawful to follow more closely than what is reasonable under road conditions. City ordinances also prohibit following too closely to another car.

A rear-end collision may sometimes be the fault of the driver in front. While all drivers are supposed to use reasonable care when following another vehicle, it is imperative for vehicles to have working brake lights. A rear-end collision may occur due to a front driver’s failure to ensure that their rear lights are working. They may be rear-ended by a car that is surprised by sudden braking with no brake lights.

Similarly, if a driver cuts in front of you without leaving sufficient room or without signaling, they may be at fault for being rear-ended. Sometimes a rear-end collision results in a chain reaction in which the car to the front is pushed into the rear of the car in front of it, and that car is also pushed into the car in front of it, and so on.

To establish negligence, you will need to prove that it is more likely than not that the other driver failed to use reasonable care while driving, and this failure was the legal cause of your injuries. In some cases, the other driver may raise the defense that you were comparatively negligent. If the jury agrees, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Each state has its own comparative fault rules.

Sometimes multiple drivers’ negligence combines to cause a rear-end collision. In Tennessee, each driver is liable for their percentage of negligence. This means that they will be held responsible for an amount of damages that is proportionate to their fault, making it critical to identify all parties that played a role in causing the car accident. Different rules may apply if there are multiple product liability claims associated with the rear-end collision.