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Rear-End Collisions The Help You Need When You Need It Most

Common Injuries and Determining Rear End Collision Fault after an Accident

Experienced Nashville Truck Accident Lawyer Can Answer Your Questions in Free Review

Determining rear end collision fault may seem simple. Most people assume the driver who hit the back of the lead car, or car in front, is always to blame. However, that is not always the case. The driver of the lead car can be found liable for the damages as well, or both drivers may be held accountable for a portion of the crash. After an accident, you need an experienced auto accident lawyer to investigate and help determine who is at fault for the crash.

Nashville personal injury attorney Stanley A. Davis has faith in justice. He devotes his practice to helping his Tennessee neighbors seek compensation for car accident injuries. In one recent rear end collision case, Stanley Davis was able to secure a $1 million settlement for a client rear ended by a drunk driver in Rutherford County. If you or a loved one has been involved in a rear end collision accident, attorney Stanley Davis can help.

Is the Lead Driver Ever at Fault for Rear End Collisions?

Rear end collisions are among the most common types of car crashes in the U.S., causing thousands of serious personal injuries each year. Even soft tissue injuries and whiplash from being rear-ended can cause lasting pain. Read end accidents can happen anywhere: at stop signs, traffic lights, in parking lots, on highways and country roads. Many assume the driver who is rear ended is automatically the victim and the other driver is automatically to blame. However, determining rear end collision fault is rarely so simple.

Under Tennessee accident law, a lead driver may be to blame or partially to blame for rear end collisions when:

  • The driver’s brake lights are not working. If the crash could have been prevented by working taillights, then the lead driver may be at least partially at fault for the crash.
  • The driver swerves in front of another car. Often, the following car will be able to slow down enough to reestablish safe traveling distance after swerving. However, sometimes a crash in inevitable. If a rear end collision results from one driver cutting off another, the lead driver may be found responsible for a percentage of the crash.
  • The driver reverses into the following car. This kind of accident is most common in parking lots or at stops after a lead car reverses. In this case, the lead driver may be found to be 100 percent at fault, especially if the following car was not moving at all.

When Is the Rear Ending Driver at Fault for the Crash?

The driver of the lead car can be held responsible for causing or contributing to the crash. Still, the second driver is often at least partially to blame as well. The driver who rear ended the lead car may be at fault or partially at fault when:

  • The driver is speeding. Traveling faster than the speed limit decreases the chances that a driver speeding will be able to stop in time to prevent a crash if another car suddenly brakes.
  • The driver fails to brake because he or she is distracted. A driver is expected to be mindful of any potential hazards on the road. However, if a driver is distracted by a cellphone, the radio or a passenger, he or she may not notice the lead car slowing down or stopping until it is too late to prevent an rear end accident.
  • The driver does not yield right of way. Drivers must slow or stop to allow another vehicle the right of way at a turn or merge point. If a driver fails to yield, he or she may be responsible if a rear end collision results.
  • The driver does not maintain a safe following distance. Drivers should keep enough distance between the front of their car and the vehicle ahead to allow them time to stop in an emergency situation. If the second driver follows too closely, a collision will probably be found to be mostly his or her fault.

Who Is at Fault in a Multiple Car Collision?

Rear end collisions typically involve just two cars. However, if they happen in a busy area, during a traffic jam or at a stop sign or light, it is possible for many cars to be involved. If one car rear-ends another car, it is possible for the lead car to then hit the vehicle in front of it as well, causing two rear end collisions. The driver at fault for the original crash is usually accountable for the rear end collision damage to all vehicles. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance provider should pay for your injuries and damages.

Rear end crashes and multiple car collisions can be confusing. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule to determine responsibility for a crash and the damages that result. In modified comparative fault, a judge or jury will determine what percentage of the crash each driver is responsible for. Then, you are only able to seek damages for the percent of the crash which was not your fault. However, in Tennessee, if you are at fault for 50 percent or more of the wreck, then you cannot seek compensation at all.

Need Help Determining Rear End Collision Fault? Contact a Nashville Car Accident Lawyer Now

Any type of car accident can be a frightening experience. Afterward, you may want to do nothing more than focus on healing from any accident injuries you sustained. However, valuable evidence disappears quickly after an accident. Attorney Stanley Davis can start an investigation while you or your loved one is recuperating. He knows what to look for to help you prove your case because he has investigated hundreds of crashes in the Northeast Tennessee area. If you were rear ended in an accident, our Tennessee car accident attorney is ready to help.

With offices in Brentwood and Nashville, Tennessee Stanley and his supporting staff are uniquely positioned to serve clients in Nashville and other nearby cities such as Franklin, Gallatin and Madison.

Contact him online or call him at his office to schedule a free, no obligation consultation today.

Your Success Is Our Success

Real Injuries. Real Recoveries.


  • $250,000 Settlement Back Injury

    A young woman in her 30s was injured when she was rear-ended by a Defendant driver. Liability was clear in this case. Plaintiff had conservative treatment for a short period of time and was unable to continue care because of the lack of funds and insurance coverage.

  • $425,000 Recovered Premises Liability

    A middle-aged man sustained injuries on the premises of a retail store in Tennessee due to the defendant’s negligence. This injured man was diagnosed with a bulging disc in his neck and suffered headaches.

  • $3.0 Million Verdict Severe Injuries & Property Damage

    Plaintiff was cautiously and carefully traveling on a two-lane rural road when he saw a camel suddenly come onto the roadway toward his vehicle.  Despite evasive action, the camel charged his vehicle causing a significant crash and causing Plaintiff to suffer severe injuries and property damage.

  • $370,000 Settlement Dog Attack

    A 36-year-old woman was cautiously walking to the grocery store when two dogs, roaming at large, approached her in an aggressive manner causing her to run and trip and fall injuring her shoulder which required surgical repair.

  • $95,000 Settlement Truck Accident

    Our Nashville personal injury attorney gained a truck accident settlement in a case where the victim was hit by a truck driver and incurred soft tissue injuries. Medical bills totaled $14,000.00.

  • $300,000 Settlement Tractor-Trailer Accident

    Our Nashville truck accident lawyer gained a recovery in a Murfreesboro truck accident case involving a client hit by a tractor-trailer. Although property damage was minimal, the client sustained significant soft tissue injuries.

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  • "Stanley Davis is an excellent attorney."
    Attorney Davis came through for me at a very difficult time in my life. I am truly grateful for him and his staff and would highly recommend his services. Even when my case was settled, the professional and friendly relationship didn’t end.
    Madelene G.
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    I recommend anyone to this firm as they treat you like a human being and not a number. I was clueless about the law in these situations... They took care of me more than I even imagined.
    Christina R.
  • "Highly Recommend"
    Mr Davis helped me on my case. He and his staff were very friendly and professional. I would definitely recommend Davis Law Firm to work your personal injury case for you!
    Nashwa N.
  • "I highly recommend this company."
    Stan and his team were great! When I had my accident I got caught up with solicitors, they did a great job getting me out. Stan handled my case with care and got me the max with my settlement.
    Breasia S.
  • "The Absolute Best Attorney in Nashville"
    Stan and his team have a "never give up" attitude and always put your best interest above their bottom line. This isn't your typical law firm. They're just good, honest people fighting to make sure you get what you deserve from your case.
    Geoff H.
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    The time and effort they put into my case blew my mind. Any questions, concerns, reservations, or fears I had they laid them to rest as well as provided me with reassurance.
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    Stan and his team treated me like family. The communication, respect, and care for their clients here are incomparable.  I wasn’t just a number here. I was their client, their friend. They are top-notch.
    Zoraida P.
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