Who is responsible for a rear-end collision when the front car brakes suddenly?
2 Answers
The responsibility for a rear-end collision when the front car brakes suddenly lies with the rear car. Common scenarios for rear-end collisions include: 1. If the rear car collides with the front car while it is moving, the rear car bears full responsibility; 2. If the front car does not have tail lights at night, leading to a rear-end collision, the front car bears secondary responsibility, while the rear car bears primary responsibility; 3. If the front car stops on the road without turning on the hazard warning lights or setting up warning signs as required, resulting in a rear-end collision, the front car bears secondary responsibility, while the rear car bears primary responsibility. Based on the description, if the front car brakes suddenly, causing the rear car to collide, the reason is that the rear car was following too closely, and the rear car bears full responsibility. If the front car is driving normally and the rear car causes a rear-end collision due to excessive speed or lack of attention, the responsibility lies with the latter.
After driving for so many years, I've seen quite a few rear-end collisions. Generally, the following vehicle bears the main responsibility because traffic regulations require maintaining a sufficient safe distance. Think about it—the safe distance is determined by speed. For example, at 60 km/h, you should leave at least 50 meters or more, giving you enough reaction time to brake if the car ahead stops suddenly. If the following vehicle is too close and fails to brake in time, causing a collision, the responsibility lies with the following driver. However, there are exceptions. For instance, if the leading vehicle brakes abruptly without reason or suddenly changes lanes and brakes on the highway, the responsibility might be shared in such unreasonable cases. From my experience, it's essential to develop the habit of checking the rearview mirror and estimating distances while driving. I remember one rainy day when the car in front braked suddenly, and only because I maintained a safe distance was I able to avoid an accident. Safety first—I recommend using driver-assistance systems like adaptive cruise control to reduce the risk of accidents. Most rear-end collisions can be avoided with proper precautions. Practice defensive driving techniques, and if an accident happens, stay calm and let the traffic police determine responsibility.
