Who is at fault when reversing into the car behind?
2 Answers
When vehicles are traveling in the same direction and the front vehicle reverses into the rear vehicle, the front vehicle bears full responsibility. The specific liability shall be determined by the traffic police department's road traffic accident identification document. If dissatisfied with the liability determination, one may apply for a review within three days after receiving the document. Below are relevant introductions about reversing: 1. Legal basis: According to Article 50 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, when reversing a motor vehicle, the driver must check the situation behind the vehicle and confirm safety before reversing. Reversing is prohibited at railway crossings, intersections, one-way roads, bridges, sharp curves, steep slopes, or tunnels. 2. Reversing precautions: (1) When reversing, special attention must be paid to the surrounding environment, especially when there may be blind spots at the rear. It is best to honk in advance and be prepared to brake at any time. (2) Safety measures: Before reversing, clearly observe the situation behind the vehicle, estimate the reversing path, and determine whether the front of the vehicle will hit obstacles during reversing. Especially when the steering wheel is turned significantly, the turning radius of the front wheels is larger than that of the rear wheels, causing the front of the vehicle to swing outward more during reversing.
Back then, I had just started driving. While reversing in a mall parking lot, I was too focused on the navigation screen and didn’t notice a car parked behind me, resulting in a minor scrape. The traffic police arrived and determined I was fully at fault because I failed to ensure safety. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to check both the rearview mirror and backup camera, and I even ask someone to help observe. If you hit a car while reversing, the driver reversing usually bears the primary responsibility—that’s how traffic rules are defined. If you’re a beginner, be sure to practice blind spot checks. If the other car was parked in a no-parking zone or violated other rules, responsibility might be shared, but don’t count on it. Buying a backup radar or installing a camera can significantly reduce risks—don’t skimp on these. Safety first—don’t regret it after an accident.
