Is the Rear Vehicle Fully Liable for Rear-End Collision When the Front Vehicle Brakes Suddenly on the Highway?
2 Answers
There are many reasons for rear-end collisions caused by sudden stops, but the main one is insufficient safe following distance from the front vehicle. Below are the liability determinations for rear-end collisions when the front vehicle brakes suddenly on the highway: 1. The front vehicle bears full liability: If the rear-end collision is caused by a sudden stop under normal highway conditions, the front vehicle is fully responsible. 2. The rear vehicle bears full liability: If the front vehicle brakes suddenly to avoid an emergency while driving normally on the highway, resulting in a rear-end collision, the rear vehicle is fully responsible. Additional information: When driving at high speeds, maintaining a safe following distance of 150–200 meters from the moment a problem is detected until proper emergency avoidance measures are taken is the most effective method to prevent traffic accidents.
In the event of a rear-end collision caused by the leading vehicle suddenly braking on the highway, the following vehicle is almost always held fully responsible, as the fault lies in failing to maintain a safe following distance. With over twenty years of highway driving experience, I've witnessed countless similar accidents, where the root cause invariably traces back to the following vehicle's inability to brake in time. Traffic regulations explicitly require the following vehicle to maintain a safe distance based on speed, preventing rear-end collisions during sudden braking. If the following vehicle is fully at fault, the insurance company will cover repair costs, but both the other party's vehicle damage and one's own vehicle damage must go through insurance, potentially leading to increased premiums the following year. In rare cases where the leading vehicle brakes maliciously or commits serious violations, liability might be shared, but such evidence is extremely hard to obtain—even dashcam footage may not easily prove it. The best advice is to always stay alert to the road ahead on the highway, avoid tailgating, and increase the following distance in heavy traffic to ensure safety. I often adhere to the three-second rule for following distance, making it a habit for natural safety.
