Rear-end collisions are among the most common kinds of auto accidents. While these accidents happen all the time, they are still often dangerous, and many drivers are injured. Do not let anyone tell you that a rear-end collision is only a “fender-bender.” You deserve fair compensation, and our legal team is here to help you.
Who may be held responsible for a rear-end collision varies from case to case. Often, the rear driver is responsible for colliding with the front driver. However, in some cases, the front driver negligently stops short, causing the rear driver to crash into them. The other driver might try to argue that the accident was at least partially your fault. Even if they are right, you can still recover damages while being somewhat responsible, at least to a certain extent. Our team will gather the necessary evidence to prove your claims and show that you are not responsible.
For a free, confidential claims assessment, call our Las Vegas car accident lawyers with Mitchell Rogers Injury Law at (702) 702-2622.
Who is Responsible for Rear-End Crashes in Las Vegas?
While rear-end collisions are somewhat common, they may happen for a wide variety of reasons. As such, various drivers might be implicated in the accident and could be held legally responsible.
Rear-end collisions usually involve two or more drivers lined up at a stop sign or intersection. Often, the driver in the back is responsible for colliding with the driver in front. Often, this is because the driver in the back was not paying attention and did not hit the brakes in time to avoid the collision.
Although it is arguably a bit less common, the driver in front of you might be responsible for the rear-end collisions. For example, if the driver in front negligently stopped short without warning, the driver behind them might be unable to avoid a crash.
It is also possible that multiple drivers are implicated in the crash. Many rear-end collisions occur as part of a sort of domino effect. One car might strike the car in front of them hard enough to cause the second car to hit a third car. Depending on the situation, one or more drivers might be responsible.
How to Prove Fault for a Rear-End Collision
Proving fault for any accident, including rear-end collisions, requires evidence. The evidence in your case will be unique to your situation, and different evidence may be available under different circumstances.
Cameras are everywhere today, including vehicles. Many cars, possibly yours, may be equipped with a dashcam. Dashcams can be installed in the front and rear of the car, recording everything in front of and behind it. In a rear-end collision, this kind of video evidence may be extremely important.
Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys may also ask other people who were present during the accident to testify as witnesses. Another driver, a passenger, or even pedestrians who were walking by might have seen how the other driver slammed into you or slammed their brakes, causing you to hit them from behind. Having multiple witnesses from varying vantage points may help us paint a more accurate picture of the accident.
It is very common for drivers to take photos and videos after collisions. Often, these recordings are used for insurance claims, but they may also serve as evidence in court.
What if I am Partially Responsible for a Rear-End Crash in Las Vegas?
The defendant could argue that you were the negligent one in the accident and either caused the accident entirely or contributed to it partially. This may not necessarily stop you from recovering damages, but your damages could be reduced.
The court may apply laws of comparative negligence under N.R.S. § 41.141(1). Essentially, you may still recover damages if you win your case, even though you are partially responsible for the collision. However, your damages may be reduced according to your share of fault, which may be expressed as a percentage. For example, if you are found to be 1% responsible, your damages may be reduced by 15%.
Under subsection 2 of this law, damages may only be reduced so far before the plaintiff cannot recover anything. If your share of responsibility for the accident exceeds the defendant’s, or you are more than 50% responsible, you may not recover any damages.
Claims of comparative negligence are a common defense strategy among defendants seeking to evade liability. As such, we should be prepared to face these claims before they arise. Strong evidence of your own actions leading up to the crash and how you were not negligent may be crucial.
How Rear-End Collisions May Occur
How and where rear-end collisions occur may vary from case to case, but knowing these details may help us determine where to find evidence and whom to hold responsible.
Rear-end collisions frequently happen at red lights and stop signs. Often, a driver approaching the light or sign will come to a stop, but a driver behind them is either distracted or driving too fast to stop, and they crash into the first car. Alternatively, the driver in front might have been distracted and had to slam their brakes at the last second to avoid running the light, causing the driver behind them to hit them.
Rear-end crashes also occur frequently in traffic jams. A bad traffic jam can be frustrating, and drivers are sometimes too eager to get going once traffic starts moving again. As such, a driver might negligently accelerate too fast and hit the car in front of them.
Many rear-end collisions happen in parking lots. While drivers are usually not moving very fast, they tend to let their guard down. Others might be eager to get a parking spot in a crowded lot and accidentally hit another car in front of them. They might instead reverse out of a spot and hit a car behind them.
Contact Our Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer About Your Collisions Now
For a free, confidential claims assessment, call our Boulder City, NV car accident lawyers with Mitchell Rogers Injury Law at (702) 702-2622.