Is the Rear Vehicle Always Fully Liable for a Rear-End Collision?

[OHadley]

Rear-end collisions are not always the full responsibility of the rear vehicle. In some cases, the rear vehicle may not be fully liable or even not liable at all. For example: 1. The front vehicle makes a U-turn and causes a rear-end collision. 2. The front vehicle crosses a solid line and causes a rear-end collision. 3. Malicious lane cutting or abrupt lane changes lead to a rear-end collision. 4. The front vehicle rolls back or reverses, causing a rear-end collision. 5. The rear vehicle overtakes from the right side, leading to a rear-end collision. According to China's traffic laws, overtaking must be done from the left side. Overtaking from the right is illegal, and if it causes a rear-end collision, the front vehicle is fully liable. 6. The front vehicle engages in road rage, resulting in a rear-end collision. 7. The front vehicle stops without signaling.

[ElainaMarie]

This issue really can't be generalized. Once, I was stuck in a traffic jam on the highway when the truck in front suddenly reversed, causing me to rear-end it, and in the end, the other party was fully at fault. Another time, while waiting at a red light, the car in front rolled back and hit my bumper, and the traffic police directly ruled it as their responsibility. The most unfair was my friend, who was driving at night when the car in front had a tire blowout and braked suddenly. Even though he maintained a safe distance, he still collided, but the traffic police ruled that the car in front bore 30% of the responsibility for not placing a warning triangle. So, in situations like the car in front changing lanes or cutting in, malicious sudden braking, or reversing on the highway, the rear car might not be at fault at all. The key is to call the police immediately, take videos as evidence, especially to clearly capture the position of the road markings. Nowadays, a dash cam is really a must-have—it can tell the truth at critical moments.

[RicardoLynn]

A veteran driver with 20 years of experience tells you that rear-end collision liability determination depends on specific circumstances. If the leading vehicle crosses lanes, forces merging, or has malfunctioning brake lights, liability allocation may be reversed. Last week, a case was handled where the following vehicle suffered increased damages due to the leading vehicle's illegal installation of a tow hook, and the court ruled the leading vehicle to bear 40% of the repair costs. Additionally, in chain rear-end collisions, typically the last vehicle compensates the one in front, with middle vehicles bearing no liability. Special reminder: on rainy days, failing to maintain a safe distance will result in full liability, so it's best to double the usual following distance. Preserving dashcam footage is crucial—it's far more effective than verbal accounts.

[HarleyDella]

With a decade of car repair experience, I've seen countless cases. Last month, a three-car rear-end collision happened late at night—the middle car was pushed into the one in front by the rear car, and the last vehicle had to compensate for both. A special reminder for modified car enthusiasts: lowering your car with shortened springs makes it easier to slide under the car in front during a rear-end collision, risking injury and possibly being held fully liable. Be extra cautious around trucks carrying sand and gravel—they may drop stones to crack your windshield and then brake suddenly, making it hard to gather evidence for such scams. Keep a safe distance from large trucks, especially in rain, maintaining at least a three-second braking gap. If an accident occurs, immediately photograph the tire marks—they’re the most crucial evidence.

[LeEdward]

Only through experience do you realize how troublesome it can be. Last year, my new car was rear-ended, and although the other party was fully at fault, the insurance dispute dragged on for three months. The most crucial point was that the police report had to clearly document the vehicle's displacement trajectory—my car was spun 90 degrees upon impact, and this detail significantly smoothed the claims process. A reminder to everyone: After an accident, don’t rush to move your car. First, use chalk to mark the wheel positions. If the lead car suddenly reverses and causes a rear-end collision, immediately seek surveillance footage from nearby stores. In a two-vehicle accident, remember to exchange insurance policy information and photograph the other driver’s license, ensuring the page with their address is included. If there are injuries involved, you must wait for traffic police to arrive before moving the vehicles; otherwise, the insurance may deny the claim.